Bilstein 5100 Settings for dummies

No difference in ride.

 

Happy to say, I'm on setting #5, on stock coils up front and absolutely love it. I thought I may have to add 1" block to the rear, but now don't feel the need. (Subject to change)

Only thing I noticed was the ride home with the new shocks, was the hood sitting higher from the drivers seat. Next day, it wasn't even noticeable.

Biggest worry, was you can't change the settings on the Bilstein 5100's once they're installed, but again, turned out perfect.

 

No difference in ride. However since our trucks are set up identical, he did get some new toyo open country at3s as I'm still on the AT2s. The ride is the same, no issues with stability or concerns in a roll over. I mean were talk in a 1/4 inch in the front if that.

 

I forgot to say I think his rides a little softer, maybe because of the tires. It

 

Thanks! He is going to replace with KO2s and move up to a 17 inch wheel, so I think his will probably stay on the stiff side. I am just hoping it isn't TOO stiff, but to each his own. He says he doesn't care about how firm it gets. He obviously has never been in a super firm vehicle. Thanks again.

 

Don't run an E rated tire or it will ride like ass.

 

Waking up to this was the best way ever to start my day. Thank you for the laugh.

And funny enough, he wants the KO2 in the 275-70-17, which only comes in the E rated. So that means either a 265 or 285. I think the 285 will be too much for mainly onroad- we don't live down in Moab. I'm having him stay with a 265. Glad to have the no E confirmed.

Have a good one!

 

I think the BFGs come in a C rated 275/70/17s. I prefer the Toyo Open Country at2 or at3s. I ran BFGs for years 30 plus. The BFGS are hard to keep balanced or balance at all. I always had issues, but they look so damn good. The Toyos out perform them in my opinion, ride better, quiet, very light and balance super easy. I have 20k miles on my 2018 DCLB and they look like new still, but the AT3s on my Son's truck look and ride great too. Good luck.

 

Have you looked at the Goodyear ultraterrains? I went with those and I really like them. They are a little lighter than the BFG's and look incredible too-kinda similar to the duratrak. You can only get them from Discount tire though.

 

I have seen them, my friend got some on his Tacoma.

 

New to Tacomas and lifts. This is the best thread I have read. Thanks OP and the contributors along the way. I understand the 5100s and front suspension/lift a ton better.

Now if I could just understand rear suspension and how the leaf pack and different shocks work together better. Any dummy links?

 

Welcome to TW, what do you need out of your rear suspension? Just lift for looks, increased carrying capacity, a little of both?

 

i have a 2021 offroad DCLB. Rock sliders and prinsu rack adding up to about ~200 pounds.

I have an ARE MX on order that will add another ~200.

Thinking about what that looks like on a camping trip with another couple hundred pounds of stuff in the bed and maybe another person or two. By then I am at or over the published weight limit.

so goal would be two-fold.
1. Support the weight
2. Still get some lift over factory even with the weight.

I was thinking 1.5” to 2” up front and if the truck was level when loaded up I feel like I would meet my goal.

I don’t know if I just need a new leaf pack that gives me 1.5-2” and the weight support or if I also need a new leg pack PLUS new shocks.

Have also read about blocks and air bags which confuses me even more.

 

Yea all the different options are definitely confusing as hell. For your set up I think everyone would recommend at least an add a leaf and to minimize sagging and leave in your overload spring (1 on each side). The best thing to do would be install new leaf springs with ones that are designed to carry more weight but that is more expensive and a lot of people complain about squeaking after installing certain brands.

I don't think a block would meet your needs and I don't know anything about air bags. Also you might want to consider doing the ECGS bushing when you install your lift https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ecgs-bushing-is-it-a-must.527875/ Personally I bought the bushing and am keeping it on hand incase I need it.

Ultimately you just need to spend 10,000 hours researching every option to find out exactly what you need and don't need

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/ has great customer service/prices

 

Thanks I appreciate the direction. I had been looking at this leaf pack below and had sort of honed in on it based on the "2" lift WITH 400 pound constant load" claim, which I will be at about 450pounds after the ARE MX Shell goes on. I am at least a good 6 months away from doing anything so I am trying to learn bits at a time.

https://caliraisedoffroad.com/colle...wd-4wd-stage-1-expedition-series-springs-pair

I think I spent 10,000 hours researching the Tacoma before I bought it, now need another 10,000 researching the customization!

 

Those are very nice, I believe you will need new/longer rear shocks like these (lots of other options) https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s...Extended_Length_Rear_Shock_(PAIR)_-_B110.html

Another thing to decide on is if you want to replace your UCAs. A lot of debate on when you need to do this, some people say that if you go over 2" you need them, some say 3" etc. My understanding is that they allow for a higher caster angle therefore better alignment/handling and clearance. I have my bilsteins on the 4th clip with stock coils and got about 1.5" of lift (no additional front weight). My alignment is ok but I might replace my UCAs at some point.

 

I was literally looking at these on the Bilstein site yesterday wondering if that is what I would need. Thanks!

I took measurements in stock form in front and rear. I need to retake to see how much I dropped with the sliders and roof rack. Then again after the ARE MX to see total drop. I figure that is when I will get more serious. I have another 3 months to wait on the shell though.

I have read the same on the UCAs. My plan was to do 1.5" but might do 2" depending on my measurements with the added weight. Regardless I may get UCAs anyway just to be safe.

Do you have 5100's all around? What is your setup? Would you do anything different in hindsight?

 

It's good that you're not in a rush and have time to think about this stuff. I do have 5100s all around with icon AALs (overload spring removed) and 0 offset wheels with 265/70/17s. The only additional weight I have is a softtopper and sometimes a simple wooden sleeping platform. I am very happy with the ride and the only thing I would have done differently is maybe install UCAs at the same time just so I don't have to get another alignment when/if I do.

You've probably read about installing stiffer springs in the front when adding additional weight. That might be a good idea since you already have sliders and a roof rack. I decided to use stock coils partially because of this thread and am glad I did. But like I said I don't really have any additional weight.

Have you thought about wheels/tires?

 

Wheels are not at he top of my list of even on it at all. I am OK with the stock tires until I start going off road more. I was considering skinny 33s but lately have been thinking of just going to 32s. This will see way more time as a daily driver than offroad, and again I don't on doing anything serious offraod. The sliders for example were to double as a step and for some insurance/assurance on trails.

 

Good thread. Just received some Icon RXTs and am waiting on the 5100s. I'm going to reuse the stock springs up front because the 700lb/in rate feels nice. I got a bit of Taco Lean that I have never noticed, but will go up one extra location on the left coilover.