Took the plunge and ordered 5100's

As the title says I finally took the plunge and ordered some 5100s today. I'm planing on doing the suspension in stages. 5100s first, body mount chop, 285/70r17s, front springs, then the rear. Install and driving impressions to follow in the next couple weeks.



Here's how my pretty much stock 09 aclb TRD off road sits today (265/70r17 duratracs)

 

Are you sticking with the stock coils? I did, and I think the ride is much better than previously. Its stiff, but my impression of the stock setup was that it was too "wobbly" and leaned too much around bends. It scared me when I installed the suspension though, because at first, the measurements showed it had lifted mine nearly 4" in the front. But after a day, it settled down to exactly 2.5" of lift. Perfect for what I was looking for.

 

What is the largest lift you can get out of the 5100's?

 

I got my 5100s a month ago and just put the rear on so far. Now my rear is so much smoother and doesn't skip around now. Im gonna use my stock coils also on the front, havent got to the front yet because when i was removing my sway bar the nut inside of the frame broke frome its weld, so i guess i got to get some cutting n welding done first. Got to love the rust in ohio!

 

2.5" I believe

 

I'm planning on using the stock springs and sitting the 5100s on notch 3 (1.75" lift I think) and seeing how that goes. If I still want more height I was planning on getting some coils (toyec or OME) and setting the 5100s back to notch 0 or maybe 1

 

Someday I will be doing the same thing as you. I am waiting to determine if I will get a front bumper and which one... then I can order the appropriate front springs. But for now.... I love it.

 

I know next to nothing about lifts. Leaving everything else stock, if I replace all four shocks with 5100s, can I safely gain 1.5" in height?

 

the 5100s would let you raise the front only. The amount of lift depends what notch you put your spring seat at, the lowest is stock and top is about 2.5''. From what I understand changing the back to 5100s is done for an improvement in damping. If you want to lift the back you have to use blocks, add leaves, re-arch your stock springs or replace them with aftermarket lift springs.

 

A lot of people lift the front 1.5'' with 5100s and leave the back end alone. From what I understand your truck would still have a slightly nose down rake with this set up.

 

Thanks, man.

 

5100's have 4 settings: 0" (factory ring setting), .85", 1.75" and 2.5". OP if you're planning to get the 5100's now and front coils later, I would just wait. Do the entire strut assembly at the same time, unless of course, you have access to a proper spring compressor and you can assemble on your own? If you're paying for the install, save yourself the money and assemble strut at same time. Just my $.02.

 

Matt just a small suggestion. I've got a 2015 and I got my 5100's installed 3 weeks ago. I had mine set at .85. I absolutely love it. It leveled my truck without sacrificing too much rake. I almost had them set at 1.75, but I'm glad I didn't. I stuck with the .85 with the stock coils. Love it. However I would suggest getting the 1/4 inch spacer for the front left strut. Mine has the infamous bro lean meaning the fender well gap is 1/4 inch lower on the left than the right. You can't really tell that my truck is leaning unless you really look hard. It's really not that noticeable but I wish I would have added the 1/4 inch spacer. I would recommend it.

 

I thought a spacer was only necessary, if you replace the front springs...OEM springs are side specific.

Anyone else experience this when keeping their stock springs?

 

Top is left and bottom is right.

 

Sto

1/4" "Taco Lean" regardless of OEM or aftermarket coils.

 

Just measured mine and I'm 3/4" lower on drivers side with a full tank of fuel

 

Just get the spacer man and you'll be good to go. I think I'm going to order one too just to get it properly leveled. It's just my OCD kickin in.

 

Thanks for the input..I've got access to a spring compressor and I'll be doing the work myself. Also I kind of want to see how I like the performance and if I get enough clearance with the stock springs first

 

Good call on the spacer! Shocks are already ordered and the shipping alone would cost way more than the spacer to northern Canada. However I do have access to a water jet so I might cut my own. From what I've read I'll need a 1/4" spacer and as long as I don't go thicker than that I won't need longer studs?