Did I set this up wrong?

For the first time ever, I've replaced my shocks and struts on my truck. Went with Bilstein 5100's all the way around. Now that they're installed, I've noticed the front is higher than the back. Also, the back has more of a cushion type feeling while the front has a nice firm feeling. I did not touch the adjustment on the struts as I don't know how. Are they set for stock height out of the box? Also, it looks like my UCA's/UBJ's are under a lot of stress. Will try to get a good pic of my suspension tomorrow

 

Here's some front pics and one for the rear

 

Looks like they are set as high as they go on the front... and BTW your shocks on the rear are on upside down.

 

The boot is supposed to be on the bottom?

 

X2. The fronts look to be set to the maximum lift and the rears are upside down. The boot should be at the bottom so water and crap doesn't sit on top and leak down inside the shock

 

Damn looks like I have some work to do this weekend. I've had it like that since Saturday. Did I damage anything related to the shock?

 

This is the only picture I can find that shows how mine are installed

 

No, it's going to be fine unless it's been sitting under water for the past week

 

Lol ok good. As for the struts, how do I change the height adjustment? Will this require compressing the spring again?

 

Depending on the shock model... yes or no. The rule of thumb with Bilsteins is to have the writing on the shock body be upright. If you were to remove the boot it is recommended to have it like you have it right now. If you leave the boot on, it is recommended to have it the way Bilstein suggests. Simple monotube shocks like these aren't really directional but it is a good idea to follow the manufacturer's suggestions and in this specific case have the boot downward.

Some shocks actually do have the boots up, some don't. Manufacturers are weird and within the Bilstein shock linups the boot direction varies a lot based on year produced and specific model range (5100, 7100, etc.)

 

Yes. You have to get the weight off the spring perch and adjust the snap ring down to the opposite notch. Not sure if you have to actually remove the coil though. Mine came with it on the lowest setting so I never had to adjust it.

 

Ok I'll definitely get to this this weekend. Do you think this will help the spongy feeling in the back?

 

Damn, I'll have to find someone with a spring compressor.

 

I didn't know that

 

No, I seriously doubt it. The shocks are there to make sure your axle doesn't bounce and oscillate causing you to lose traction, also to make ride smoother. But they can only do so much, your spring still needs to bear the brunt of the load stiffening. Maybe an AAL would help, it would raise and firm the rear, then you wouldn't have to completely lower the front (although your really should lower it at least a notch).

 

Good advise. Reinstalling the shock the other orientation won't affect the ride softness

 

Well my leafs are shot so that's next up on my to do list with this truck. I want to keep stock height for now.

 

also, remember that the rears are not the same size. one is slightly longer than the other to compensate for the gas tank. some one correct me if I am wrong.....

When I did my lift I had the boots up and the shocks on the wrong side (right shock was on the left side and vice versa). I rode around like that for a while before getting around to fixing them. Now the boot section is down and I have since removed the boots as well. I didn't notice any change but I'm a bit OCD, so now I sleep better at night

Good luck man. Seems like the hardest part is going to be taking the fronts apart

 

I didn't know the rears are slightly different...

 

You can do it without a spring compressor. I put mine on without one.

If you go to post #84 of the thread linked below, I have instructions for doing this on a first gen.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/190159-installing-5100s-without-spring-compressor-video-3.html

My 5100s came set to the maximum lift setting. Glad I caught that before I installed them, because I wanted stock ride height as well to start off with.

The ride should be softer with the shocks set to the lower setting - less preload on the springs.