Question Shocks

[OKstate]

I have been looking into getting a leveling kit for my car just to give it a little more height. After looking them up on the web, a lot of people do not like the leveling kits(bumpier ride, unsafe...whatever) So now looking at getting the bilstein 5100 shocks. Anyone have any pro or cons to them? Do they make them specific for the sequoia? Bilstein website says they do, but the part number is for a tundra. Same? Anyone have any pictures of sequoia with these shocks? Good website to get them from if they exist? Sorry long post, but trying to cover anything other people may ask about them. Thanks for any feedback

[OKstate]

Ok I have called about every shock place that carries these things. It looks like I have to use Tundra 5100s, the part number for the front are be5-6929-h0. Rear I was told to use the HD for the sequoia part number be5-a014-h7. Can anyone tell me if this is how I have to do it before I make a $350 investment that doesnt work. Thanks

[Andy4]

From your first posting I got the impression you are no longer raising the Sequoia, so why install 2 different design shocks?

Look at tirerack?

[OKstate]

Sorry I wasn't clearer. I would like to level the seq. So I think its like 1.5 inch lift in the front but same height in the rear. Can I use the tundra 5100s in front and sequoia HD in the rear?

[Andy4]

Levelling may be difficult.
The front and rear springs compress differently.
The front load is close to being constantly the same, and the rear load varies all the time ( with passenger weight, fuel, or towing), thus the rear height is rotating on the front hubs.
Raising the front to what appears to be level will impact your headlight alignment.
The shock numbers at tirerack site for the front of the tundra and the sequoia appear to be the same, so I would think the 5100 listed for the tundra should fit a sequoia.
Since the 5100 is height adjustable, get all your measurements on the existing shock/spring assembly under loaded conditions before removing and after they are removed. These may be needed to set up the 5100s
I've read on the site that more then a couple inches in height starts effecting the CV joint angle and wear on 4 wd models.

[pull my lure]

This is something I'd like to do too with my 2wd '04... I've looked into the 5100s as well.

I called up to Wheeler's Off Road and he recommended using the 1) coilovers 2) 5100s 3) spacers to get the sequoia to ride "level"... obviously the 1st option is most expensive but he said it would offer the best ride, and #3 he didn't recommend due to a harsh ride... so for a couple hundred bucks I thought I'd try to level the front..


Anyone have anymore experience/advice? I think it would set your Sequoia apart and give it a slightly more aggressive look without doing anything too radical to mpg/driveshaft alignment, etc...

Thanks!

[OKstate]

Im in the same boat as you. I would love the coilovers, but the $ is just too much for a mod like this. I would like the 5100s everyone I call say tundras don't fit? Lure if you here anything let me know. Anyone offer some help?

[big-o]

It's the same front end as the Tundra, and yes the coilovers or adjustable 5100's would fit. I have adjustable Downey's on the front of mine (no longer made). It is a a very comfortable ride for the front. I do wish it were more heavy duty, though they claim it is an improvement of 200lbs per spring compared to stock static load capacity. I would much rather have purchased the Icon's or something a little beefier. If you want to go cheap, just go with the daystar leveling kit until you can purchase the coil-over. I'm also looking at changing the rear Downey 2" springs for some Old Man Emu rear FJ100 series heavy duty 2" rear springs and the Old Man Emu shocks which appear to be similar length and extension. The FJ100 series Land Cruiser is actuall 95lbs heavier than the Sequoia, so it should be pretty close. As far as my research has gone, I've not seen anyone try them yet...so I'll not really know if the ride height in the rear is the similar until I do it.