Bilstein 5100/lift questions

I really hate to make a thread over this because I know there are countless ones out there about it but there's so many that I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. I'm looking to level my 2002 double cab prerunner. I would like to avoid spacer lifts and it seems like the 5100's are the best route. So my question is do I just need to purchase 2? And where is the best place to buy from?

 

Hit up @HeadStrong Off-Road, they are a fantastic company to deal with.

Their website is headstrongoffroad.com Their 1st gen Tacoma section is still under construction on their website but they have everything you need.

 

I got mine from ToyTec.com but another great site is @Downsouth Motorsports

 

Yeah just 2 are needed. They are meant to be used with the factory springs but a lot of people will recommend you upgrade your springs as well. There are a handful of different springs to suit your needs so you'll need to do a little research on that. I would call Wheelers Offroad or check out their website to get more information about your options and if you want to use the factory springs or not. Their prices for the front 5100's are the best I've seen and I ordered mine from them.

I used my stock springs and regret it. Having to swap the springs from one shock to another was a handful and pretty dangerous by myself. I would recommend dropping the extra coin for a new set of springs and also to have them mounted on the shocks. You can definitely get by on the cheap though. The two shocks alone are $160 and if you're handy with automotive you'll be just fine stalling them yourself.

 

Yeah agreed! I got the adjustables and put them on the bottom setting with 3" Eibach coil lift springs & @camburg UCA's

 

I'm not really interested in doing it myself lol. I'm too scared of messing something up so I will more than likely take it to a shop to have it done

 

Also what setting should they be on for leveling purposes

 

It depends on what springs you get

 

If I'm just using the stock springs?

 

You can put them on the top setting for 2.5" of lift. But it might not be quite that much depending how many miles or how worn your stock springs are. I have mine on the bottom setting since I have 3" springs

 

Is the adjusting part something I can do myself? Like when I take it to have it installed is that something I need to tell them?

 

the adjustment is done by dissembling the pack, At a shop, with a shock press. Do not use your old springs, there is no point in buying nice shocks with 14 year old springs attached to them. Go with the 5100s, have them wrapped in a Old Man Emu 880 or 881 ( if you have up front weight ) and the truck will be level, or close to it. just my 2cents but you will find most people saying close to or the same thing in all those other threads you were talking about. Plus i have don't this same thing...

 

Instead of making a new thread I'll ask my quick question here

I intend on billy 5100s all the way around, 3" OME coils and leaf paks for the back.

I have a steel bumper & will have a winch on the front.

What is the certain model of spring I need? Or is it the 881s?

 

I used my 5100's on 180,000 mi. old stock TRD springs and they work well. Got 2.25" lift average. I would say go ahead and spend the extra $160 for new springs though. While I feel that my stock springs are working well I can understand exactly where people are coming from when they say to upgrade and I wish I would have at the time in retrospect. The stock springs TRD springs in particular just aren't very good for a few fundamental reasons that we really don't need to get into unless you're really curious.

@sicklerarmy1 Think you're looking for the 881. As far as I recall it is a longer version of the 880 which gives you more preload at the same height settings on your shock to accommodate a few more hundred pounds. But it also depends on your needs and situation. It's never a bad idea to give your seller a call and get some feedback. It will also give you an indication of the caliber of people you'll be giving your money to.

 

Thank you for the response! I intend to do some wheeling here and there. By no means a rock crawler or dune jumper. I'll call the seller and see if they agree.

Not saying I doubt you or anything, but you gave me the idea, and it seems like a solid one!

 

I used the Eibach 620lb coils w/Bilstein 5100 struts. I HIGHLY recommend having them put together at a shop or buying them complete! I tried it myself with a Macpherson strut compressor and a 650lb air gun and it would not work!! Must be done with a mounted hydraulic spring compressor that is mounted to the ground or wall. I used only one 1/4" nylon spacer on the drivers side which I bought this at Wheelers. The 99 Taco has a tendency to sag on this side and I am glad I did. Now I need to put an add/a leaf in my 1 year old Dakar springs that have a 1" shackle to level it out. It looks great, but both of my CVR axels are bad slinging grease around. I replaced one and need to do the other. My truck has at least 3"s of lift on the bottom setting of the 5100's. Hope this helps anyone!

 

Bump and not really related but I'm the OP so...

Does anybody know anything about these? I have a friend who's running these and he's never had a problem.

 

As long as you get spacers that are "top plate" spacers they are okay. Much much better than coil spacers that go inside the coil assembly, those preload the shit outta your coils and ride very harsh! No bueno on those!

 

Okay where do those go that I posted a pic of lol. Y'all will have to excuse my ignorance because I will admit I don't know much about this stuff

 

If I were to put 5100s on the front of my truck would it be wise to replace the rear shocks as well? As far as I know they've never been replaced and what should I put on the rear?