Suspension Help

First time posting here so don't beat me up to bad... I been searching this forum for weeks now because I need a new suspension. After many headaches and getting lost in all the info on the internet I figured I would just make a post here. I have a 2004 3.4l 4x4 TRD. Everything is stock on it. I have owned it for over a year now. It currently has worn Bilstein 4600's. I use the truck mostly to run around town but I am also a hunting guide so I drive it back and forth to the ranches and while on the ranch it does do some off roading. I was looking at upgrading to the 5100's but didn't want to block the rear end, because its not a necessity, I have a lift since I have gotten by without one so far. I called a off road parts place and they told me they can install the 5100s in the rear with out the 1" block that Bilstein and every other website I have looked at recommends. Is this true? I was thinking about going back with the 4600's since they fit my budget better and I don't feel like I need a lift but any feedback on the 5100s would be appreciated.

 

5100s are a slight upgrade from 4600s so I would recommend getting them if you can, and of course they're adjustable for lift up front.

I would avoid putting a block in the rear though, the best way to lift the rear is to do it via the leaf springs and not blocks. An add a leaf is a cheap way to lift the rear 1 - 2 inches. Single add a leafs cost less than $100 usually. Then just put some rear 5100s back there too and you're set.

For the front you can run 5100s with your stock front coils but the better way to do it would be to run the 5100s on the 0" setting and get new front coils for lift, like OME 881s, 882s, etc. Achieving lift via the springs (front and rear) is always better than using blocks, spacers, preloading the springs, etc.

 

Just stick with the 4600 and call it a day. The only other consideration might be to look at the leaf pack. If they’re OG they’re worn I’m sure. Mostly because they were junk right out the gate from the factory.

Look at getting a set from General Spring, they offer a regular and HD set. The HD will initially sit up a lot higher and possibly top out your 4600’s. The stock non HD won’t and if you’re not hauling or have a topper the standard springs will be adequate. Opening up another wormhole, if your front springs are OG they’re probably worn a bit as well. Guess it depends on how deep you want to go. If you’re on a budget just wing the 4600’s in and live with potentially worn springs. The other end of the spectrum if you’re handy and have ~1200 to spend, go for the OME lift kit and thank yourself later.

 

That's a good point, if you're suspension is still stock then chances are your leaf springs are worn out too at this point. Putting an add a leaf in them won't do much for worn out springs. Better to replace them entirely with a new pack, if you want a lift out of them then look into a pack that provides lift like the OME Dakar leafs

 

That's all I been running down lately is wormholes Logger haha I swear I was dreaming about suspension parts in my sleep last night...information overload right now.I have looked into the 811 coils, the add a leafs and have been to the general springs website multiple times but I don't think I want to go that route right now just focused on shocks. When I called the 4x4 parts place today and he said they can put 5100s on the rear with no block and he didn't mention a add a leaf..is that possible?

 

eon_blue...good looking taco in ur avatar...any chance I can get some info on that roof rack for in the future?

 

yes you can run 5100s in the rear with no lift. But if you're going to lift the front and not the rear then you're going to have a nose high truck.

You can install 5100s front/rear with no lift at all and basically just use them as replacements for your worn out 4600s. The 5100s are a slightly bigger shock body so technically they're an upgrade from 4600s, but mainly you'll feel the difference because they're new and your current ones are worn out

 

Thank you, it's a compact Smittybilt Defender roof rack...good for mounting lights and smaller stuff to it. You do have to drill the roof though to mount it

 

Awesome! been throwing around ideas for a roof rack but haven't came across any for a xtracab. So can you set the 5100 on the front to 0 (stock height from what I have read) with the stock springs I have, then install the 5100s in the rear with no lift...will the truck still have a nose high ride? im looking for a clean level ride

 

In that case no, the 5100s at the 0 setting won't provide any lift. You'll have the same height you do now just with new shocks installed

 

I'm not sure I agree with the idea of using the 5100s in the rear of a stock height truck. Not only are they longer than stock shocks, but your rear leafs are more than likely sagging (because they are old and worn out), so that sets them even closer to the bumpstops.

As @eon_blue said, the 5100s might "technically" be an upgrade only because of a slightly larger shock body. The internal design is essentially the same, so you're not likely to notice any difference in performance, aside from comparing them to your clapped out old 4600s.

@jmd04taco, if you're considering a lift in the future, the 5100s might not be a bad thing, and you *probably* could run the 5100s in the rear without a lift. That said, it would be pretty lame to damage your shocks (and also possibly your shock mounts) just because you slam into a pothole or something.

If you're not considering a lift, there is no measurable advantage to the 5100s over the 4600s, and there's definitely the potential for a big disadvantage to putting longer shocks on a stock suspension.

When I did my 5100s, I set the fronts (with stock worn out coils) on the middle height setting, and got some ~$50 extended shackles for the rear to lift it 1". Really, all this ~1" lift did was compensate for my old sagging springs, and worked well, and still made definite improvements to the ride, if only just because the shocks weren't worn out. After several years of running that, I ended up upgrading the fronts to something pretty and blue.

 

Gotcha...now I think im making sense of all this. So Bilstein "recommends" the 1" block in the rear for the 5100s because in case someone wanted to use the front on a higher setting lifting the front up it would be level or at least not have a bad rake or lean to the truck, not because the rear shock wont fit or work with a stock rear.

 

There are a couple different varieties of rear 5100s, one of them I know you need a lift for. The other should be fine for no lift but I would make sure to verify that with whoever you're ordering from.

Been awhile since I had 5100s so hopefully someone else can confirm.

 

Is there a link to this OME lift you referenced to?

 

Lots of different sources.

Here's one source off the top of my head: You can also check out the vendors list and see if there is someone that's nearby where you may be able to save some $$ on shipping....

There isn't one OME lift, but several different options for the front coils depending on what you have going on with your build (bumpers/winches etc...) and how much lift you want.

 

I have a pair of Deaver F42's that I just took off my truck. They give you 1.5" lift in the back which is nothing dramatic at all in case you don't want a taller look. Just enough to make it look better than stock and fit some larger tires. I ran these with Bilstein 5125's in the stock mounting location. The leaf pack is 7 leaves. New bushings are needed. I believe they are $55 for the pack from Kartek.

https://www.kartek.com/parts/deaver-urethane-bushing-kits-bushing-kit-for-f42.html

The leaves should be re-arched. One pack looks ok but the other pack has a small spot where the leaves have gone into negative arch. This pack would need to be rolled out and re-arched for sure. Not sure if you're in a city or close to one but here in Phoenix at the top rated shop they want $100/leaf pack to re-arch. These are originally $800 springs I believe it would not only give you a performance upgrade but also allow you to run a slightly longer shock in the stock length position. These were ran with stock shackles so not too much negative arch was put into the springs over the years. I was trying to get $300 for the pair. I set the price here because of needing re-arched and new bushings. I think someone could get into these reconditioned for $450-500. I think Deaver stopped making these and the closest comparison is the J59 Deaver pack. Let me know. Haven't put them up for sale yet but saw your post.

 

I'm wanting to do a 2.5 to 3 inch lift is all. I want to be level too. I don't have a winch at the moment and don't really plan on getting one. I've read so much stuff on here lol.

 

From center hub to fender well I'm sitting at
Front Left 20.75
Rear Left 22.5
Front Right 21
Rear Right 22.5

 

@jmd04taco , how did the truck perform with the 4600's when they were new. If you didn't have any problems off roading with them during your hunting guide trips, then I'd just replace them with new 4600 shocks, and new rear leaf springs. Less head ache in the long run. just my 2 cents worht of useless information.

 

I only have owned the truck for a year and half so I don't know that. Wish I did, would make this decision easier.