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Bilstein 5100 Settings for dummies

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by AZ_Taco48, Nov 13, 2019.

  1. Sep 8, 2021 at 10:05 AM
    #481
    Vlady

    Vlady Well-Known Member

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    OME 885 at about 25k. Base of left, right and stock to compare.
    Cannot stick my camera to show the bottom end of the coil, but trust me it is lined up perfectly, same as stock

    20210908_095327.jpg
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    Last edited: Sep 8, 2021
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  2. Sep 9, 2021 at 10:39 AM
    #482
    andersen24

    andersen24 Well-Known Member

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    Wow - just WOW! I read through this whole thread and thank goodness I stumbled across it. Here I was thinking I was going to need to order OME springs with my 5100's, never knowing they were 100% designed to not only run with factory springs, but on top of that if you don't - it voids the Bilstein warranty! I'm also one of those that typically would want maximum lift (without giving up a comfortable ride) and low and behold, install of going on #5, looks like I will be settling on #4. So thanks to this, I just ordered a set of 5100's, going to go with #4 and a 1.5" AAL, since I'll have it up on my lift in my shop, figure I might as well do the CB drop install and prolly the front differential drop as well. Have to admit, this is site is insane with the amount of information available. Thanks to all who contributed!
     
  3. Sep 9, 2021 at 10:46 AM
    #483
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    If you are going with a 1.5in AAL, you might want to consider the extended travel rears (part number 33-319070). They're only a few dollars more. The standards are only 1.0in longer than stock. The extended travel are 4.0in.

    Measuring my Hitachi shock bodies, the standard 5100s have smaller bodies and the extended appear to be the same.

    I'd check with your shop on that.

    Note that the extended travel lower sleeve did not fit my mounts. I spread them to fit, but the better route would be to cut down the sleeve.
     
    71tattooguy likes this.
  4. Sep 9, 2021 at 11:11 AM
    #484
    andersen24

    andersen24 Well-Known Member

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    Hey perfect, thank you for that intel! I will definitely do that - once again TW comes through!
     
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  5. Sep 9, 2021 at 11:15 AM
    #485
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    You're welcome!
     
  6. Sep 10, 2021 at 3:59 PM
    #486
    andersen24

    andersen24 Well-Known Member

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    Holy heck, have to admit I’m pretty impressed with Stage 3 Motorsports. At about 11:15 AM yesterday after replying back to @tonered I went ahead and placed an order for my 5100’s from Stage 3. Literally less than 24 hours later, the front shocks arrived with the rear shocks arriving tomorrow. Now the only problem is, I’m helping a neighbor with his project that’s on my lift that’ll need to be buttoned up before I can throw the Taco up there and level it out5AB041A2-4B02-4904-A478-1D784C55EF07.jpg 7DC6E097-2B42-4917-9FE0-144C8B4350B8.jpg 09332388-1E95-4BF3-AA6D-05D58EF22C01.jpg D45D1438-1620-4EB4-BB72-F358E589CFAD.jpg ……I know, I know, its not a Tacoma, but it’s still in the Toyota family at least. :D
     
  7. Sep 13, 2021 at 11:15 AM
    #487
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    Final answer: Yeeeaaaa!


    First up on the rears. During my 4k road trip, every once in a while I'd hit a bump that, because of some of the 5100s complaints, made me worry if it was too much front preload. Also separately, I felt the rear dancing from the lack of control. With the full package as the rears arrived last, there's none of that. Even more so, with the Taco mostly empty and hammering paved corners, the rear gets a bit of a howl going like it is taking the right amount of traction / acceleration.


    And, I finally got into the dirt with the full setup. It handled rutted roads better than ever before. For anything but a ledge, I was easily running at twice the speed as previous. No bounce over / through potholes. The extra clearance was nice and no apparent issues with the extra droop of the extended travel rears maxing out the new leaf packs.

    I tested large river rocks and it was a dream. I did get stuck in silt, but that was just me being stupid. Fun and easy recovery except my stupid joy of driving barefoot and wearing flip flops. There were some onlookers hoping for a better show, but @WrecklessAbandon 's wife got me out of the soup.

    Camping 1.jpg



    I can't imagine how I could be happier overall. Hit up @memario1214 / HotshotOffroad.com for some great prices.


    Like I said earlier though, just check the sleeves on the extended travel 5100s before you attempt to install them. I'd recommend carefully cutting them down to fit the lower mounts.


    :cheers:
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2021
  8. Sep 13, 2021 at 12:57 PM
    #488
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    Heck yeah! I like it! Get it stuck early and often... :cool:

    Also, good catch by @WrecklessAbandon on going a different route with the rears!
     
  9. Sep 13, 2021 at 1:04 PM
    #489
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    It always fun! We were as happy moving along as getting out of that soup.


    Huge props there. His wife got a far away pic of the flex.

    Camping 4.jpg
     
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  10. Sep 15, 2021 at 12:05 AM
    #490
    Rainman443

    Rainman443 Well-Known Member

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    Just gonna add my 2c to the age old debate here. I've ridden for a few days with the shocks set on stock height stock coils because I forgot to set the circlip the first time I installed them.. then noticed the rake and set them to the desired 2". Anecdotally noticed zero difference in ride quality/characteristics between the two settings. The overall ride was pretty much the same from stock OR shocks, maybe it firmed up ever so slightly ceteris paribus. What made the most difference in firming up the ride was after I put on AT tires.
     
  11. Sep 15, 2021 at 1:51 AM
    #491
    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    Sometimes people don't get it,I completely agree with you.
     
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  12. Sep 28, 2021 at 2:05 PM
    #492
    bboyh5

    bboyh5 Well-Known Member

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    Also if anyone was wondering, these were my alignment specs after 5100s installed with stock coils at 5th notch and stock UCAs. I would want new UCAs but so far it seems like I'm not really needing it.

    Resized_20210828_122722.jpg
     
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  13. Oct 2, 2021 at 9:25 PM
    #493
    TacoDash89

    TacoDash89 Well-Known Member

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    Questions... what notch did you set the fronts to? Did you do the icon(1.5" lift AAL) progressive thay removes the overload? And did you use the 5100's in the rear as well? Short bed, long bed?
     
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  14. Oct 2, 2021 at 9:49 PM
    #494
    TacoDash89

    TacoDash89 Well-Known Member

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    So after hours and hours of research and FINALLY deciding that the 5100's are best for me... my wife says... make sure you go ahead and pre plan to pull a camper. :annoyed:

    I'm not wanting to lift very high due to many reasons, and at first had no intention of doing anything at all to the rear aside from swapping out the shocks. I'd like to maintain a slight bit of rake for the few times that I do load it down for trips etc. But now I need to keep in mind that we will eventually have a camper and don't want to ruin the leafs.

    What's my best option here? Still stick with the 5100's, set the front on notch 4 for 1.5" in the front, and go with the icon 1.5" progressive AAL and the 5100's in the rear?

    Anyone have any other semi-budget friendly recommendations or will this be perfect for me?

    Just for some extra knowledge I'm in a 16 sr5 XP DCSB. I spend MOST of the time on the road.
     
  15. Oct 2, 2021 at 9:55 PM
    #495
    Toco62

    Toco62 Well-Known Member

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    5100 front set on 4 with stock springs, rear Icon add a leaf. Installed at Toy pros in Mesa Az. 275 70 17

    A208239B-2DD0-4975-85DE-E2253C786DC6.jpg
     
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  16. Oct 2, 2021 at 10:09 PM
    #496
    TacoDash89

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  17. Oct 3, 2021 at 12:46 AM
    #497
    brian2sun

    brian2sun Well-Known Member

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    It sure looks like the standard rear 5100s are the same length as the stock shocks (I’ve come across a couple posts saying this too). Are the Sport or OR shocks shorter than the black Hitachi SR5 shocks (in this screenshot below)? I was debating getting 5100s for the rear with my 1.5” AAL until I saw this photo - if the 5100s aren’t actually any longer, then I have better things to spend my money on at the moment.

    4333DC19-3475-4D97-8C38-78BE6A244E93.jpg
     
  18. Oct 3, 2021 at 4:34 PM
    #498
    Toco62

    Toco62 Well-Known Member

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    Yes those are the icon leaf pack I am running on my 2021 sport 4x4, they removed the overload spring if you leave it you
    Get a higher lift in the rear , I like the level look.
     
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  19. Oct 3, 2021 at 4:45 PM
    #499
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    That is why I am recommending getting the extended travel 5100s. They're a few dollars (literally) more per shock.

    The standards are only one inch longer. Check your max droop and brake line situation to know for sure. My leafs with the extended travel are doing great things in the dirt.
     
  20. Oct 3, 2021 at 4:47 PM
    #500
    TacoDash89

    TacoDash89 Well-Known Member

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    Awesome! I think after hours of research I finally have things nailed down!

    I'll be doing Bilstein 5100's all the way around with the front on 4th notch.
    A 1.5" AAL - Toytec or Icon... overload remove so that I'll maintain 1" of rake.
    And sumo spring bump stops for future towing/ loading the bed down.
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2021
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