Bilstein 5100 + OME 881 Question

@chrispchicken9 have you previously posted your rig description? It might help the reader if he /she knew for what type truck (4cyl vs V6, access cab / double cab, how much weight in the back regularly, type of driving) you were configuring the 5100/880s...

 

If by rig description you're referring to the blue rectangle then yes it's updated

generally 150 lbs in the rear, mostly streets, light off roading, xtra cab

 

Well... duh... it's staring me in the face. Sorry.

 

if you go with the 5100's and OME 881's from Low Range Off-Road, they ship everything for free on orders over 50 bucks (some exceptions but springs and shocks are free shipping) and their prices are very reasonable, competitive with many other online sellers. Moderately fast shipping, even if you're chomping at the bit to upgrade some tired old OE suspension, like I was. anyway, that's the setup I went with and I love the ride, mind you I was switching from OEM suspension that had 240k miles on it. It rides great on the road and this is after I removed the sway bar too, not too much body roll even in corners but the off-roadability of it is amazing. I recently had the opportunuty to do some moderately serious off-roading on a "small" thousand acre ranch down near Junction, TX. and the truck (suspension) performed very well. the rear leaf springs were the dakar OME set with the poly non-greasable bushings paired with 5100's. loved it, and it looks good too. i think so anyway

 

So you're running all-OME springs (881's out front, Dakars in the rear), but Bilstein's on all four corners?

Why the poly non-greasable bushings? Everyone seems to say get the OME greasable bushings. Was that primarily for cost savings?

Are you running 5100's in the back? Or did you get 5125's? If 5100's in the back, did you get any shock extenders?

2nd to Last question: did you happen to get the D43XL extra leaf from OME to go with the Dakars?

Last question: tire size?

Thx.

 

Yes Bilstein's on all four corners, it was a significant cost savings for me at least, since my wife doesn't exactly see eye to eye with me on off-roading, so I look for all available cost savings I can as a way to lessen the impact on my wallet and therefore our budget. I don't remember the exact part number of the bilsteins but 5125 sounds familiar. nope, no shock extenders (I'm not even sure what those are, and I didn't take the time to look them up before I replied) I did not get the aal kit, although now that I've added a camper shell, I'm beginning to regret not getting them and am considering that in the near future since I do like a slight rake to the truck. current tire size is 32x11.5 R16, probably going to keep that tire size but go with MT's next. I really like the extra off-road grip and am more than willing to deal with any road noise. poly non-greasable bushings for cost savings once again as the poly greasable require a different set of shackles = more dinero.

 

@LazyEye, have you ridden in or driven a 1st gen Taco like your truck, but with full OME (i.e. including OME shocks)? If so, can you compare the ride to your truck?

 

unfortunately no, i haven't. so i really have nothing to compare it to except the previous ride of OEM on 240k miles...totally worn out. my previous ride was a gorgeous 1992 beast of a LandCruiser. the best of the best, 3FE engine with full OME heavy springs. i loved it but i couldn't afford the gas as a daily driver.

 

Soooooo.... thanks for all the insights above, y'all.

For my bone stock and droopy '04Xtracab v6 4x4 I have jumped in on the Billie5100s for all 4 corners & OME 881 coils in front and Toytec AALs (Dayton label on them?) in the rear. I am aiming for a conservative sub 2" of lift when all said and done as I have a lovley matching Raven hi-top shell on the back and will do the ARB and warn M8 (steel cable for now..)winch in front. I got stuck solo once, Never Again!!
from my research that will be somewhere between 150-170lbs added up front (I dreamt my truck was doing a nose stand the other night!)

Yes yes, Commence the yelling! I know that OME specs the 882 coil for added bumper with winch but that lists 200+ lbs addtnl to the front and a resulting 2.5 to 3" lift. That's not where I'm at as I usu. just trail ride and camp like 98x more often than I rock scramble.

the 881 specs state 2-2.5" of lift with stock weight for my specific v6 specs. the local shop is on the job today.

So.. am I Loco?!?

I will post afta pics when it's said and done (deep breaths n' stuff)

 

Your Truck is nearly identical to my '04 4x4 XtraCab (tho' yours is supra clean!)

I'm doing an AAL in the back and wondered what the lift ended up at for you?

I have a Raven hi-top shell which should be about the same weight..

 

1996 Tacoma LX Access Cab 4x4. Installed 5100 adjustable set at 0 with OME 881 coils on the front. 5100 rears with full OME Dakar leaf pack mediums. 2.75 front and rear. My truck is 302k and it rides like new and a champ. In fact rides better than my 2017 TRD Sport. Perfect balance of firmness off and on road. I’m completely satisfied.

 

Yes, please post up pics, good luck.

 

I have 300k on my 98 and I'm the original owner. I bought a 2017 TRD OR and it's paid for next check. I have been killing myself to pay that thing off. Anyway, for a few years now we've been going back and forth whether to sell the 98. Well, me and my wife ( which is cool) decided to build out the 98 as a camper/overland/glamper....whatever you wanna call it. I had three VW vans and never made time to take the trips I wanted, always working for the man. We are gonna make the taco up nice. So, I believe I'm gonna go with 881s and all OME kit. Question? I will have an ARB bull bar and a winch, should I consider 882s. Also, I have an xcover RTT and will be getting and Alu Cab Canopy and basically be building it out. I feel from what I read, the OME dakars should work. I thought about doing all this with the 17 but really I wanna keep her stock and not mess with anything. I don't mind a few more branch scratches and a lil surgery on Blackie, the 98.

 

FWIW, from all my forum reading, researching, and question asking... if you are adding an ARB front bumper and winch, and want some sort of winch, then most people would recommend you go with the 882's. 881's are for stock front ends with no additional weight. Some people have argued / recommend / or prefer the 883's for a heavy front end, but the people with whom I have corresponded and with whom I have been impressed with their builds (@BoxRocket), all recommended the 882's over the 883's. They have stated the 882's ride softer than the 883's.

If a heavy duty Dakar setup (i.e. with D43XL extra leafs) will be able to handle my daily load, I plan a full OME build with 882's. Eventually I plan on an ARB front bumper and winch. Otherwise, I am probably getting custom Alcan leaf springs.

To handle a lot of weight in the back, you can run airbags or the Timbren Suspension Enhancement System. Recent research into airbags vs Timbren SES suggests that while the Timbren may be more durable (no bags to pop/tear etc), the folks running Firestone Ride-rite airbags with Daystar cradles (allows the bag to come off the axle during extreme flexing, so the bag can't tear) rave about the ride and adjustability of the airbags.

My summary of Airbag vs Timbren SES:
Airbag advantages:

1. super ride
2. adjustable (especially left vs right as might occur with a camper)

Airbag disadvantages:

1. durability (kinda screwed if they tear / pope etc)
2. Daystar cradles specifically disavowed by Firestone, yet lots of people report great success running the setup and love it

Timbren advantages:

1. very good quality ride when loaded or unloaded
   
2. durable (replaces bump stops)
3. Don't have to mess with air source / compressor etc.

Timbren disadvantages:

1. if you are lightly loaded, can result in truck "bouncing" off the SES. Resulting ride described as very harsh.
2. Not adjustable for different weights or for side to side.

 

Reply much appreciate Steve.

I had on my list 882s but forgot what info got me there. Sometimes, actually many times, the more I read, the more I get confused. I think with all of us it's about hard earned money and wanting to make the right decisions. I hope to get started soon on this, possibly next month if I can finish up here in Japan and get outta here. I'll keep ya posted, thx

 

Some get 2-2.5" lift on those 881s so it's just kinda hard to dial in the exact lift. Too much variables.

 

There is also going to be a difference between double cab vs access cab etc. Many variables as you say.

 

881s and 5100 all the way around, with an Add a Lead in the rear will give you a nice 2 in lift and ride very nice

 

Depends on the rake you like. Remember on these springs you can add height with poly spacers but you can't go down. Something to think about with the 880s as well.

 

That was exactly my thought when I went 880 and 5100 with my pre runner

Wasn’t sure on height of AAL and coils with pre runner (no front dif). Went with 880 figure I could always come up on the 5100 notches but not down. Once finished I got 2” rear and front with 880 on the second notch. Knowing this, id probably opt the 881 next time.

E/ that said the 880 preloaded slightly to on second notch (of 4) actually gives it a very nice ride. I don’t know what differences the 881 would do on the bottom notch, am curious to find out.