Bilsteins 5100 : 0" vs 1.75" vs 2.5" pros/cons

question: whats the difference in ride/handle/alignment between 0" vs 1.75" vs 2.5"? i'm very confused with everyones feedback on the forum, this is what i've gotten from the forum...

• 2.5" rides stiffer due to more spring compression, but will allow you to clear 285s (with trimming), requires rear block to level... however, i also read that some have alignment issues
• 1.75" better ride; allows only 265s (no trimming), no rear block needed to level... seems like the route to go with 5100s (if u wna run 265s that is)
• 0" better ride, not leveled

sound about right?

thanks for the feedback!

 

mine are set at 1.75" and that sounds about right. My truck rides so much better since I installed the 5100's about 5 months ago couldnt be happier.

 

There's also a .85" setting. I've had the tsb in the rear and if I jack up the front 1.75" with the jack it's pretty nose-high. .85 levels out my truck perfectly and will do it this weekend. All trucks must be a little different cuz most say 1.75 will level them out.

 

While technically 5100's @ 1.75 makes the truck sit level, as far as measurements are comcerned, my 2005 still looked nose high (had the rear TSB too). I went with the 0.85 setting and rear TSB's on my 2010, and the truck looks perfect with a slight rake. I'm measuring 36" front, 37" rear.

 

Same here. Installed front at .85 yesterday and am now 37 rear, 36 front (up from 35 front). Exactly a 1" rise and frame is perfectly level.

 

So even at the 0.85 setting 265/75/16 tires shouldn't be a problem right? Actually IIRC I've seen folks running those tires on the stock suspension even without the 5100s or rear TSB, but correct me if I'm wrong though.

I don't doubt that 5100s will give you a better ride.

 

Sorry if this is a thread jacking... But I thought it is related.

What about using the 5100's with the ebachi lift springs (1.6 inch)? Any major differences in ride quality, alignment, articulation versus a 5100 set at 1.75 with the stock spring?

 

Yep those tires 265/75/16 will work with stock suspension.

 

I like the look at 2.5 with rear tsb. it will sit close to level, and with wheel spacers you can fit 285s and it will look nice.

 

at 2.5 front how much rear block are you guys adding 1" or 1.5"?

 

Do you have rear TSB??? Most guys do 2" AAL without tsb,or Toytec TSB AAL which is about 1.5" w/tsb

 

I'm not sure if my taco has the tsb. Rear fender well sits 4" higher while front sits at 2".

In Front, i'm gna go with 0.85" Billys w/ 1.6" Eibach Coil Springs... Yields approx. 2.45" (but I little bit of me
wants to go with the OME 884/885s, but I hear eibach backs up their springs with lifetime warranty; I figure the black OME will give me less trouble at dealership if anything bad happens in future, looks stock vs silver eibach)

In rear, I'm still confused block vs aal. I got a shortbed, never gna haul or carry mass loads... Shops/4wheelparts guys say 1-1.5" block since I won't need more load capacity n it's "cheaper" supposedly ... While majority of the guys here tell me to go with AAL. (will long Toytec AAL fit, $79)

What's y'all 2cents?

 

the 2.5 setting will not be a good idea as it will lift up to much. when lifting you need to look at the cv joints/boots. in the 2.5 setting you will see rubbing on the cv boots after two or three days which in time will not be good for the cv joints and if you go off road even worse.

 

2.5" with the rear tsb on a double cab sb will make it nose high. 1.75" with tsb will make it level. .85" with rear tsb maintains factory rake. .85" without rear tsb levels it out.

my truck is 1.75" up front and rear tsb. nose is like half an inch lower than rear. level enough for me.

 

I have 2011 taco and now tsb but the 2011 doesn't have tsb yet right? so I should go for 2"aal on my 2011 taco. I wanted to do 2.5 so that I can fit 285s on it.

 

Getting mine done Tuesday. I'm going with 2.5 with the tsb springs. Should sit about a half inch taller in front but I'm cool with the bro lean. My TSB springs really lifted the rear alot, and after a year still haven't settled.

 

2.5" for me with it sitting exactly level. After it settles some it will sit around 2" up front. also have done the rear leaf TSB

 

Good to hear. There seems to be alot of differences in the stock suspension, mine has a pretty severe rake( 2 inches lower in the front)

 

on ATX 16x8 Chambers on my non-TSB 06 double cab and i definitely have rubbing even after a little dremil trimming. its worse turning left than right. So i will be installing some 5100s this week to address the issue. I will probably go with the .85 setting just to make sure i dont rub and since i dont have the rear tsb/aal done. if i do the rear in the future, i imagine i may need to reset the 5100s in front to 1.75. my 2 cents.

 

5100s @ 2.5 and tsb rear, level.

fwiw my alignment is within specs and the cv angles are not bad enough to cause concern (usually happens over 3"+)