Bilstein 5100 Settings for dummies

@memario1214 - I am with you and yes I have found out the Tacoma suspension setups are probably one of the more finicky systems out there! I am hoping with it being in the steering wheel along with the visible positive camber it fixes it! The good news is I know its not the balance. After I installed the 5100’s, I had the old tires on and the vibration was still there. So another thing ruled out! Alignment is the last man standing so far, especially after no change in vibration going from 2WD to 4WD. If not…….more time on TacomaWorld for me

 

Did a lot of research and decided to do 5100 all around, stock coils 5th notch, 1 in. block in the rear. The result is awesome. Drove about 200 miles, no vibrations yet. Only waiting to do an alignment.

 

How long have you been running this set up? Any issues? How's the ride? What coils did you get? 887 or 888? How high of a lift did you get?

 

Has anyone put Bilstein 5100s at the second setting (0.65”) in front and left the back stock? I’m thinking of doing that so I can have a bit more height in the back in case I want to load the bed. I’d be concerned the 3rd setting would be too high and second setting would give a better ride.

 

I’m considering the second setting (.65”) for mine. You think it would be that much of a difference from the 3rd setting (1.1”)? I noticed you were on the fence between the 2 settings in your OP.

 

Same boat here.. I am planning on adding only an inch front but my issue is that my truck is leveled now because I always carry some weight so if I add 1 front I will have to add 1 on the back.

 

I’m thinking the second setting might be best. Only adds .65” so you have some room to weigh down the back without it looking bogged down. Better than no lift at all in front. I’ve also heard that the less you lift these Bilsteins, the better the ride.

 

I had mine on the 2nd setting in front with stock height in back for a while. Havent noticed a difference in ride going to the 3rd notch. Rear was slightly higher when on the 2nd notch

 

Thanks. Did the second notch make a difference visually? My front is only about 1” lower than the rear, so I’d prefer to use notch 2 vs 3.

 

Ya it did. I tried it on the 3rd notch at first but it felt nose high when sitting behind the wheel driving it even though it measured level. We have to keep in mind that when the truck is put in gear and driven down the road, the driveline torque causes the rear to go down slightly so a truck that is perfectly level when parked, can look nose high when going the the road.

 

Good points. That’s why I’m thinking about setting 2 (.65”). Also, there are a few threads on TW that suggest a front lift of 1+” can lead to premature needle bearing wear.

 

Could someone with a stock weight truck and the 5100s on the 3rd, 4th or 5th perch measure the length of the spring when sitting normally on the ground? I skimmed this thread but didn't notice if anyone posted that already.

 

Yeah. I don't think those numbers have been posted and they will vary depending on where you measure the seat as it is tapered. Typically, folks measure from the hat to the center of the lower mount. I'm on the 4th on the left side and 3rd on the right to cancel out the Taco Lean. In the end, most folks say that the ending lift is what is noted for the 5100 fronts. I went up about 1.5in in front reusing my 700lb Sport springs.

 

Good point. Maybe someone can measure and take a pic of where/how they measured.

 

I can do it later if no one gets there first. I'm stock up front.

 

Cool. Thanks.

 

You're welcome!

 

Reminder this is a "dummies" thread! I have an Offroad DCLB 4x4.

Help me validate or invalidate my logic here on my lift plans.

Currently Situation:

1. Stock suspension
2. Have added: Rock Sliders and an ARE topper
3. Currently my Tacoma sits level (35" all around from ground up)

Plans:

1. 1.5" lift in front with 5100s on clip 4.
2. 1.75" in back using Icon RTX Option 2, which is advertised at 1.75" with 200 pound load, which is about what my topper shell weighs in at plus I have another say 75 pounds back there (bed matt, container with tools, air compressor, recovery gear, bed stiffeners)

What will the end result be?

Simple logic would say I will have a 0.25" rake since I am now level and raising the back 0.25" higher. But I thought about it more and the advertised lift is from stock weight! I am already weighted down.

So if I were to do this plan from stock weight with nothing added, since he Tacoma already has a 1" rake, I am really increasing that rake to 1.25" with 200 pounds of weight in the back. My end result measurements after I do this should be in the ballpark of a 1" rake. I get that from:

1. Stock weight already has a 1" rake
2. Lifting the back by 0.25" more than front with 200 pounds
3. Since I really have more like 275 pounds in back, I'm expecting another 0.25" of drop from the weight over 200#s.

Am I thinking right here?

I ask because I am thinking of increasing the front to 2" lift but am afraid I will sag in the back. But with my more detailed logic, I think the end result of that would be that I would still have 0.5" of rake.

 

2” up front via 6112’s with option #2 have about 2” of rake when unloaded love it. No sag with camp gear. Full skids sliders etc.. also