1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Bilstein 5100 or Spacers

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Rustytaco71, Dec 17, 2017.

  1. Dec 17, 2017 at 1:24 AM
    #1
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Member:
    #229894
    Messages:
    2,138
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    Hey Guys,
    Finalizing my list here. I’ve come across and researched the 5100’s. I have a 17’ TRD Sport DCLB and I’m wanting to get some 275/70/17 KO2’s in there. I’ve found that I do NOT need to use aftermarket coils up front with the 5100’s, is this correct? I want to get about an inch of lift up front, maybe a bit more to accommodate the roughly 32” tire. So for $339, maybe $50 for shipping, the 5100’s don’t seem bad at all. Would it be recommended to run an AAL in the rear or just throw on a 1” block? Anyone running a similar setup with the same tire size?
    Any feedback is greatly appreciated as I want to get my build going!
    Thanks guys!
     
  2. Dec 17, 2017 at 1:41 AM
    #2
    ahkouchi

    ahkouchi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2016
    Member:
    #193829
    Messages:
    653
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Big Island Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2016 Magnetic Gray Metallic Tacoma
    Front Elka 2.5 non resi with 650lb spring Rear Serviceable 5160's with AAL 265/75/r16 BFG KO2
    correct, you don't need a new coil. you do need to have someone assemble the front strut for you if you're doing it yourself. you need to remove the front struts from your truck, bring them to a shop, and ask them to move the coil over. Normally like 20 bucks each to do. depending on shop. If you want to do it yourself, you can rent a spring compressor or do it with a jack under your lower control arm (google videos on how to) i personally have done it with the jack, but it is super dangerous if you don't have a good jack. If i were you, just bring it to shop and ask them to do it.

    for the rear it depends on what you want. if you want to keep your stock comfort, go block. If you want more weight carry at a small sacrifice for comfort, go AAL. Both are acceptable. If you're lifting your rear at all, you should replace with 5100's or better. just for the extra length. remember, if you want to have a level truck, you need to know how much lift you need in the front to match the rear. take a tape measure and measure from the center hub to bottom of the fender, (normally front is 21 inches and rear is 22 inches) so stock, you need 1 inch to ride level in the front. Now if you add a 2 inch block or AAL to the back, you will need to lift your front a total of 3 inches to get level again. The 3rd gen 5100's in the front only allow for a 2 inch lift, so if you want to stay close to level, you can only do 1 inch in the rear. Going 3 inches or more on the 3rd gen, normally requires upper control arms to get a good alignment. If you don't mind the stock rake, going 2 in the rear and 2 in he front will give you 23 inch in the front, and 24 inch in the rear. Also, if you want to get rid of the taco lean, (driver side lower than passenger side) you need a 1/4 inch top spacer on the DRIVER SIDE ONLY! this will get you close to level all around.

    Check with Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road she can help you find what you need and they have free shipping. Normally, they have the best prices you can find and great customer service.
     
  3. Dec 17, 2017 at 1:55 AM
    #3
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Member:
    #229894
    Messages:
    2,138
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    I appreciate the feedback man! I definitely want to keep the rake as I do use the bed every now and then where I have heavy items in the rear. I’m thinking only lifting as much as I need in the front to get a 275/70/17 in there without needing to do much cutting (i.e. remove mud flap and maybe a little trimming) and then just lift the rear an inch as well to keep that rake. I will call on Monday since they are closed but it looks like I’ll be going that route until I can get my hands on the Toytec Boss kit or an Icon!
    Thanks man!
     
    ahkouchi[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Dec 17, 2017 at 2:01 AM
    #4
    ahkouchi

    ahkouchi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2016
    Member:
    #193829
    Messages:
    653
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Big Island Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2016 Magnetic Gray Metallic Tacoma
    Front Elka 2.5 non resi with 650lb spring Rear Serviceable 5160's with AAL 265/75/r16 BFG KO2

    No problem man. Honestly, depending on how you wheel your truck, the 5100's are more than capable. I have taken my truck through some crazy shit and never had problems. I went the 2887 OME coils and the 5100s in the front (2 inch lift) and 5160's 1.5 inch blocks in the rear. You may find that the 5100's will suit you just fine. The other kits are of course bad ass, but for the price and what I do, it works great. spent maybe $500 total on everything (got some deals on the 5160's). If you really have your heart set on the boss kit or icon's, just wait till you have the money and get those. you will hear lots of people here say "buy once, cry once". I wish i took their advice instead of trying spacers (top spacers and toytec spacers) before getting my current set up. also, with 275's, you should be ok with your stock height and and rims. Ask the tire shop to test fit them to be sure. on my ORDC, i tried 275/75r16's for a while and didn't rub. if i'm not mistaken, normally you don't need to start trimming until 285's or bigger.
     
  5. Dec 17, 2017 at 3:20 AM
    #5
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Member:
    #229894
    Messages:
    2,138
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    I went to my local tire shop today and they brought out a 275/70/17 and put up against the truck and it looked way too tight to even squeeze in their. If I could run a 16in wheel then it would be fine but the TRD Sport’s can’t run anything smaller than a 17 due to the caliper being so big. Otherwise I would’ve already purchased them! I do like the look of the lift anyway and for about $500 out the door with installation I can’t deny not purchasing it anyway and giving it a better stance. I won’t be doing a ton of wheeling, very light trail riding at the most but I’m just going for looks at this point without getting rough rides from the spacers!
     
  6. Dec 17, 2017 at 4:29 AM
    #6
    Woot4ng

    Woot4ng Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2017
    Member:
    #232708
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Lone Tree, CO
    Vehicle:
    Black 2017 SR5 Tacoma

    Did you wheel your rig with stock coils on the 5100’s or did you throw the OME coils in from the start?
     
  7. Dec 17, 2017 at 4:34 AM
    #7
    ahkouchi

    ahkouchi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2016
    Member:
    #193829
    Messages:
    653
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Big Island Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2016 Magnetic Gray Metallic Tacoma
    Front Elka 2.5 non resi with 650lb spring Rear Serviceable 5160's with AAL 265/75/r16 BFG KO2

    I did from the start. I got new mounts and made a complete new strut, I sold my old set up to someone locally.

    I know from the past, the TRDOR coils are progressive. I know some people that run them with the 5100's and like them. I think they ride a little to stiff. To each his own
     
  8. Dec 17, 2017 at 7:18 AM
    #8
    1cleanFG

    1cleanFG DialsGarage

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2016
    Member:
    #175465
    Messages:
    664
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    DialsGarage
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2023 Sport 4x4 DCLB
    Toytec Alumaseries Coilovers OME El111R Camburg UCAs Scs sr8 17” 285/70/17 KO2
    5100 front on 3rd notch, stock coil.
    5100 rear with 1.5” block.
    Sits about level w the canopy on.
    265/75/16 ko2. Perfect size tire for that amount of lift imo. Also, that size tire is way more easily available if something happens and I need a replacement.

    10889B28-91E0-469D-8DA4-B774FE018C10.jpg
     
    rp1991, Ramathorn44 and schultzj01 like this.
  9. Dec 17, 2017 at 1:10 PM
    #9
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Member:
    #229894
    Messages:
    2,138
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    I would do the 265 but I want something a little wider, and I unfortunately can’t run anything smaller than a 17in wheel on my Sport.
     
  10. Dec 17, 2017 at 1:10 PM
    #10
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Member:
    #229894
    Messages:
    2,138
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    Sick truck though! Can’t wait to get my hands on those exact SCS wheels!
     
  11. Dec 17, 2017 at 1:53 PM
    #11
    1cleanFG

    1cleanFG DialsGarage

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2016
    Member:
    #175465
    Messages:
    664
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    DialsGarage
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2023 Sport 4x4 DCLB
    Toytec Alumaseries Coilovers OME El111R Camburg UCAs Scs sr8 17” 285/70/17 KO2
    Hell ya. Why can’t you run a 16
     
  12. Dec 17, 2017 at 2:15 PM
    #12
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Member:
    #229894
    Messages:
    2,138
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    The TRD Sport has too big of a caliper to allow anything smaller than a 17”. It already has ~.5” of clearance from the wheel to the caliper. Would’ve considered the OR model if I knew this beforehand instead of finding out when I’m shopping for wheels:annoyed:
     
  13. Dec 17, 2017 at 4:02 PM
    #13
    Silentshredr

    Silentshredr Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2016
    Member:
    #198053
    Messages:
    296
    First Name:
    Chuck
    Vehicle:
    16 DclbOr4x4
    So the sport has larger rotors than the off road?
     
  14. Dec 17, 2017 at 4:07 PM
    #14
    1cleanFG

    1cleanFG DialsGarage

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2016
    Member:
    #175465
    Messages:
    664
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    DialsGarage
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2023 Sport 4x4 DCLB
    Toytec Alumaseries Coilovers OME El111R Camburg UCAs Scs sr8 17” 285/70/17 KO2
    Prettttty sure they are exactly the same brakes....
     
    readyme, tcjacado, Mr-Paul and 2 others like this.
  15. Dec 17, 2017 at 4:26 PM
    #15
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Member:
    #229894
    Messages:
    2,138
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    I haven’t personally experienced it, but reading from multiple people on here that they’ve had serious rubbing when trying on 16” wheels I’m going to go with saying a 16” doesn’t fit properly.
     
  16. Dec 17, 2017 at 5:31 PM
    #16
    oscolivar1

    oscolivar1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2013
    Member:
    #115568
    Messages:
    2,267
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Oliver
    VA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma Limited
    Bilstein 8112/8100, JBA UCAs, Icon RXT leaf pack, work wheels 17x8.5;-10os, 285/75/17 cooper LTX AT3, Mobtown HC rear bumper and Sliders, SSO front bumper, BAMF greceased grill.
    Uh 16s fit...it's all depends on the spec of your wheel and spec of your tire. those all play a factor.
     
  17. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:26 PM
    #17
    OregontoBajaCA

    OregontoBajaCA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2017
    Member:
    #237812
    Messages:
    807
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017DCLBOR
    Autoanything.com has Bilstein 5100 fronts on sale right now for $114.74 each with free shipping.
    I purchased a pair a few weeks ago for 15% off at $107.00 each with free shipping and installed them myself last week without a spring compressor.

    I believe it’s completely safe and you can find video on You Tube showing an install without a spring compressor. You’re using the weight of the vehicle to keep the top of the spring in place safely in the upper mount as the top of the shock is moved into position for bolting on. I think using a cheap spring compressor would be scary.
    I have two floor jacks and jack stands. I’ve replaced a lot of shocks but have never done coilovers or struts so this was my first time.

    When the suspension is hanging down all the way there is only a little compression on the coil. As you loosen the top bolt of the shock that compression is slowly released and the A-arm, coil and shock just safely drop down with a jack under the suspension.
    With the loose coil sitting in place on the new shock, bolt in the lower end of the shock to its mount on the lower A arm. The lower end of the spring can’t kick out with the bottom of the shock mounted in place.
    I operated a jack placed under the control arm with my left hand and was able to guide the top of the coil up and against the mount and then guide the shock up thru the hole in the upper mount. It took a few tries only because it was slightly tricky to gauge and see the exact location of the tip of the shock while operating the jack with one hand and guiding and pushing on the coilover with the other hand along with shadowing from my portable lights. One video I watched mentioned having a helper to guide the top of the shock in. That would have made it super easy.
     
  18. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:48 PM
    #18
    OnHartung'sRoad

    OnHartung'sRoad -So glad I didn't take the other...

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2017
    Member:
    #224878
    Messages:
    8,847
    Somewhere in the Mojave Desert...
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma OR 4x4 (formerly 2002 OR 4x4, 1995 4x4 4Runner, 1985 4x4 Toy PU) ... and RIP’s (rust in pieces) to a Bronco II 4x4 & S10 Blazer 4x4
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2017
  19. Dec 17, 2017 at 9:58 PM
    #19
    OregontoBajaCA

    OregontoBajaCA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2017
    Member:
    #237812
    Messages:
    807
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017DCLBOR
    Now you tell me! Thats a great price!
     
  20. Dec 17, 2017 at 10:17 PM
    #20
    OCPaisa

    OCPaisa Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2017
    Member:
    #235211
    Messages:
    471
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    O.C.
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cement Tacoma TRD OR 4x4
    OE 17" 4runner TRD Pro wheels. 265/70/17 BFGoodrich KO2
    How big of a difference in ride is it to just run the 5100s with and without an OME spring?
     

Products Discussed in

To Top