Im a bit confused as well. These shocks are great since you can level out the stock "stinkbug" rake on newer trucks without using the cheesy spacers
that tweek the front end. I have these 5100's on my 07 and I am almost certain there are only 3 settings... stock, 1.75", and 2.5" lifts. Maybe they
came out with another model# since ours, eh TW?
DK, Mulegejim.... The 5100 rears are great as well but not adjustable.
Originally posted by Ramon
Im a bit confused as well. These shocks are great since you can level out the stock "stinkbug" rake on newer trucks without using the cheesy spacers
that tweek the front end. I have these 5100's on my 07 and I am almost certain there are only 3 settings... stock, 1.75", and 2.5" lifts. Maybe they
came out with another model# since ours, eh TW?
DK, Mulegejim.... The 5100 rears are great as well but not adjustable.
Yes, I know... They are the 5100, for the rear, and the ride was great... was my point. Thanks!
I went with the OME881 springs and set the 5100 to the mid clip position and that gives me about 3 inches of lift. The ride is a little more stiff
than stock, but I like it that way. I also have an Add A Leaf in the rear and a 1 inch block and the Bilstein 5125 shocks. I never checked the other
shock clip settings to see if it's stiffer. I don't think it would be much different because each setting is about a quarter inch maybe a little more
on the shock body.
Originally posted by whistler
The 4 versus 3 settings are not what confuses me but the difference between the pre-load and the ride adjustable and actually the "cheesy spacer
system.The "RA" and the "preload" extends the shock to increase ride height.This lowers the lower control arm and raises the vehicle.The problem with
this is your droop travel is decreased.
Plus,how can changing shocks increase travel?The only way is if the stock shocks severly limited the suspension in some way.
I agree Whistler...I think you are spot on. It seems to me using these would only decrease your droop.
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
I've been doing some research on the OME coils and thought I'd share. This is specific to first gens.
The spring capacity ratios are designed to give you a reasonable idea how much more spring capacity you'd want for heavier front accessories to
maintain ride quality, such as a bumper/winch. I used the curb weight of my 1998 4wd xtracab manual for these calculations (3345 lbs), it shouldn't
make much of a difference if you have a v6 (3410 lbs). I don't know the weight distribution of our trucks so I can't tell you exactly how much weight
is being born by the front coils. (So, the accessory weights lower down are likely to be a bit high.) If somebody knows the weight distribution please
share so I can update the figures.
Also, heavier accessories on the rear are not going to make any difference as to what coils you want up front. The weight there isn't going on the
coils anyway.
By comparing various lift products I got a spring/spacer lift ratio of 1.66 to 1. Meaning a coil (or spacer) that, once under pressure, is 1" longer
should provide 1.66" of lift. This took a while to figure out, and I'm not sure it is totally accurate.
Coil 880
Spring length 14.37"
Spring rate 502 lbs/in
Total spring capacity 7213 lbs
Lift amount 1 in (This is from the toytec site and used as baseline.)
Spring capacity ratio 2.15
Coil 881
Spring length 14.76"
Spring rate 502 lbs/in
Total spring capacity 7409 lbs
Estimate lift amount 1.64"
Spring capacity ratio 2.21
5100 Bilsteins are good shock. Bilstein is a great company. This is an entry level product for them. It will serve you well, but don't expect
miracles. Those are reserved for much more expensive models from that and other companies, like Fox, King, etc.
In fact, unless you have a specialized need, I would suggest you replace your stock shocks with Bilstein OEM Replacement shocks. At a much lower cost,
they may well be all you need.
i got a set of 5100's on front of the tundy set to the 1.5" height to erase the stink bug and ALMOST level it. i could swear mine have 4 settings 1",
1.5", 2" and 2.5" of lift. i installed a differential drop kit even though it is only specifically called out for 2" and up on these shocks. what's a
little insurance?
i run the HD's in the back with Air Lift air bags.
On a semi-related note, I put the Bilstein OEM Replacement shocks on my Chevy crewcab and they are a great improvement over the OEM/GM version, which
were going bad every 35k miles or so.
These are set at I think 1.5" and levels the truck out without messing up any other components and keeps the alignment in spec. This shock was chosen
because I needed to replace the worn Bilstein stockers and wanted to level it out at the same time without changing the geometry in the front end.
Performance-wise, I'd go with new springs and reservoir shocks. The ride is not much different than stock, maybe a tad stiffer, but its my work truck
so doesn't see much action.
Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
Tw,Ramon.Is your ride a lot stiffer at the higher lift settings?I bet it is.
The only advantage in the Bilstein is that it can adjust ride height but that is the only difference between the other systems.
I got the OME881 springs from Wheeler and they say the OME 881 Tacoma Front Coil Set: Average lift from this coil set on a 1995-2004 extra cab v6
Tacoma is 1.75-2". These are made from 16mm wire, have a free height of 375mm, and have a 500lb rate.
The Bilstein 5100 shock for the same truck has three clip settings. I read different specs for the clip settings but never found anything published by
Bilstein other than the up to 2.5 inches statement. Some sources say 0, .85 and 2.5. Others say 0, 1.25 and 2.5. If what Wheeler says is true above
then I think the mid-clip is closer to the 1.25 since I got 3 inches from my package. I didn't want to go more than 3 inches total because from what
I've read the upper ball joint won't handle it, I would need to replace the upper control arm with a uniball. Not ready to do than yet.
An interesting side note, my driver side rear is a 1/2 inch shorter than the passenger rear with a full tank of gas. About 3/16 inch or less near
empty. In the front driver side is 1/8 inch lower reguardless of gas tank amount.
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