Question Bilstein 5100 - which setting should I choose

[Matador98]

Originally Posted by TundraSurfBum

having rake doesn't change the load on an axle. My 5100s haven't settled at all and they have been on for just over 6 months. 5100s are shocks not springs! you are using your oem springs (if they are going to settle they most likely already have), if you are getting settling (especially an inch!) then you may have faulty shocks.

The 5100s lift the truck by altering the pre-load on the spring by moving the spring seat. Therefore removing it from it's OEM setting. Also, if you CHANGE rake, your changing the angle of the truck about the CG of the truck, therefore changing the load on each axle. Probably negligible, but it'll change it nonetheless.

Did you measure your fender? Are you sure nothing settled? I did, and I had about 3/8 to 1/2 in after about 1500 miles and one month. And yes, of course I drove the truck for a bit before I measured. I'm not JACKass, I'm an aerospace engineer, thanks for the lesson on how camber and caster change after you jack an IFS.

[TundraSurfBum]

Originally Posted by Matador98

I'm not JACKass, I'm an aerospace engineer, thanks for the lesson on how camber and caster change after you jack an IFS.

don't think anyone called you a jackazz, although didn't aerospace engineers "engineer" the shuttles that blew up? lol. I said you probably have faulty shocks. the change of COG from .5 - 1.5" rake is as you said NELIGIBLE if at all. Yes I am sure. I took measurements at install, a month later, and after reading this post.... ALL are the same. additionally no one even mentioned camber and castor in relation to IFS... of course it changes.

[rockcrawler]

Originally Posted by Tjheitz

I have an access cab (which is lighter than yours), but I have mine set on the middle setting with an add-a-leaf and 5100s in the rear. There is slight forward rake, I beat on these shocks pretty hard and they take it well

I am confused about the 5100's in the rear. I thought that if you used the 5100's up front and wanted to also raise the rear you could use the 5100 rear shocks OR install AAL's. But you installed rear 5100 AND AAL's. Is that necessary?

If you use 5100's in the front only and AAL's in the rear do you need to also install a longer shock due to the AAL?

[watchdog]

Rockcrawler,
I'm also a little confused. I was hoping putting 5100's in the rear wouldn't raise it at all or at most just a bit.

My plans unless I hear a compelling reason not to is to go with the 3rd or 4th notch on the front 5100s and leave the rear springs alone and just replace the rear shocks with 5100s. I just trying to lift the front just about 1 - 1.5 inches to make my bull bar not look like they are nearly dragging the ground. I'm would also like to keep a slight downward front slope if I can.

[dsrtrcr01]

Changing the rake DOES change the weight on each axle. When you lift the front it moves the weight towards the rear which would Lighten the front weight making the springs hold Less weight. It changes how the truck handles and steers. You will not notice it on a street truck much but on My Desert truck you can really feel how it changes when you have it sitting pre-runner (nose high) and then stink bug. In the desert the truck handles much better with the stink bug rake putting more weight on the front axle so it steers in the dirt much better and handles the bumps better.

After ALL that there should be NO settling when you install the 5100's. You are running the stock spring which should have been on your truck up until now so it has already settled when you bought the truck and put all those miles on it. The shock DOES NOT hold up the truck just the spring does. The shock has different positions to put the spring at and you just move the spring higher on the shock body to lift the truck. Now the spring WILL SAG if you do more off roading and beat the spring up which some people may do after installing the 5100 because it will handle better.

[dsrtrcr01]

Originally Posted by watchdog

Rockcrawler,
I'm also a little confused. I was hoping putting 5100's in the rear wouldn't raise it at all or at most just a bit.

My plans unless I hear a compelling reason not to is to go with the 3rd or 4th notch on the front 5100s and leave the rear springs alone and just replace the rear shocks with 5100s. I just trying to lift the front just about 1 - 1.5 inches to make my bull bar not look like they are nearly dragging the ground. I'm would also like to keep a slight downward front slope if I can.

Installing 5100's on the rear of the truck WILL NOT lift it at all. It is just a shock. The front end is held up by the spring and the rear is held by the leaf springs. NOT the shocks. To lift the back you need Blocks, AAL, New leafs or something OTHER then jsut shocks.

Hope that helps some

[TundraSurfBum]

Originally Posted by dsrtrcr01

Changing the rake DOES change the weight on each axle. When you lift the front it moves the weight towards the rear which would Lighten the front weight making the springs hold Less weight. It changes how the truck handles and steers. You will not notice it on a street truck much but on My Desert truck you can really feel how it changes when you have it sitting pre-runner (nose high) and then stink bug. In the desert the truck handles much better with the stink bug rake putting more weight on the front axle so it steers in the dirt much better and handles the bumps better.

well it's a good thing we are talking about a street truck then

[rockcrawler]

Originally Posted by dsrtrcr01

Installing 5100's on the rear of the truck WILL NOT lift it at all. It is just a shock. The front end is held up by the spring and the rear is held by the leaf springs. NOT the shocks. To lift the back you need Blocks, AAL, New leafs or something OTHER then jsut shocks.

Hope that helps some

So the front 5100's provide lift but the rear 5100's don't? That's odd.
I was convinced that the rear 5100's also provided an adjustable amount of lift. I guess I need to do more research.

[TundraSurfBum]

Originally Posted by rockcrawler

So the front 5100's provide lift but the rear 5100's don't? That's odd.
I was convinced that the rear 5100's also provided an adjustable amount of lift. I guess I need to do more research.

correct. the fronts have an adjustable spring perch. The rears just accommodate lift. menaing they have more travel than stock.

[dsrtrcr01]

Originally Posted by TundraSurfBum

well it's a good thing we are talking about a street truck then

You will notice it on a street truck if you drive it hard. Most people do not drive a Lifted truck hard on the turns but the truck will plow more once you shift the weight to the rear. BUT once lifted you usually add bigger wider tires to look better which have a wider foot print and help out a little in the cornering. but you will notice it plow if you hit turns faster once lifted. Plus if you tow with a nose high vehicle the sag will be more and then plowing and stopping will be affected.

As surfBum said the 5100's on the rear are just shocks and the leaf springs do not mount to the shock the way the coil spring does on the front so there is no higher setting to set it at. in the rear they are just shocks.

[TundraSurfBum]

Originally Posted by dsrtrcr01

You will notice it on a street truck if you drive it hard. Most people do not drive a Lifted truck hard on the turns but the truck will plow more once you shift the weight to the rear. BUT once lifted you usually add bigger wider tires to look better which have a wider foot print and help out a little in the cornering. but you will notice it plow if you hit turns faster once lifted. Plus if you tow with a nose high vehicle the sag will be more and then plowing and stopping will be affected.

As surfBum said the 5100's on the rear are just shocks and the leaf springs do not mount to the shock the way the coil spring does on the front so there is no higher setting to set it at. in the rear they are just shocks.

I drive mine like I stole it.... guess i just don't pay much attention to it

[Marauder]

Originally Posted by rockcrawler

So the front 5100's provide lift but the rear 5100's don't? That's odd.
I was convinced that the rear 5100's also provided an adjustable amount of lift. I guess I need to do more research.

Just like the others said. Since the fronts, the coil sits on the shock (coilover), the adjustable spring perch gives you lift. In the rear, the shocks mount seperately, since the springs in the rear are leaf springs (not coil springs).

So to lift the rear you either need new leaf springs, or lifting blocks.

the 5100 rear shocks give you a longer travel and allow for a lifted rear without changing the shock performance. That's why they advertise a certain lift on the rear shocks, meaning its meant to work with a lifted rear end.

[watchdog]

You guys are great, that clears up a lot of questions I had. Looks like I'll be taking the plunge with the 5100's sometimes next week when I get a chance to tackle them.

Thanks again.

[TundraSurfBum]

you won't be sorry

[watchdog]

To those of you that installed the Bilstein 5100 up front of your double cab 2WD Tundras, was the lift you achieved greater than the average which Bilstein states in the paperwork included with the shocks?

I noticed the 3rd settings is stated as having 1.3 " average lift, but I was wonder if most owners found that to be a little over or under stated?