How about a Bilstein 5100 Adjustable shock update

[sbsyncro]

So correct me if I am wrong, but these shocks lift the suspension just by adding more preload to the factory springs, right? In other words, they reduce the amount of wheel travel by the amount of the "lift"? In other words, the top of the shock mount is not moving relative to the rest of the suspension - the lower spring platform is just being moved upwards in order to force the overall suspension to raise the same distance.

Hope that makes sense, but I am looking for a simple, but safe and clean way to put a bit of lift on my 4WD '05 DC without going crazy with replacing UCA, dropping diffs, and all that other nonesense (nonesense for a daily street driver, I mean)

I've had good luck with Bilsteins in the past with other vehicles, though I have found their compression damping to be on the "stiff" side usually.

What I DON'T want is a suspension that creaks, bumps, thumps, groans, or waggles as so many ill-thought out suspensions do... The Bilstein 5100's seem like they would be a good solution to being able to put some slightly bigger tires on my factory 17's and make the truck look a little less like a giant Salsa Red Pearl skateboard.

[Agent WD-40]

Originally Posted by nsaladino

On the max heigh has anyone heard any clunking or had any bottoming out? Anyone have camburg or Total chaos UCA's with these? Is 2" the max height on a 4x4?

I don't have any clunking but I think that they do run out of travel on extension from occasionaly (mine are set at 2.5" of lift). It is SIGNIFICANTLY better than the cornfed spacers I had on in that regard. The only time I see the trouble with extension is when I go over large bump with a drop on the other side. The roads here in Detroit are pretty bad.

My brother has Donahoes set at 2.5" of lift (same as my Bilstien). He said he had the same problem of running out of travel on extension that I have. He added Total Chaos UCA's and the problem went away. So this problem might not be related to the shocks. He didn't have the problem when it was set at 2.0" of lift.

Bottom line I am quite happy with my Bilstiens and would get them again. They ride great and haven't caused any problems.

[Cyberbilly]

Originally Posted by sbsyncro

So correct me if I am wrong, but these shocks lift the suspension just by adding more preload to the factory springs, right?

You are partially correct; they do add some preload. But the overall length of the shock itself is longer than the factory shock, so you also pick up some additional altitude that way.

[jmevans_2]

I have read in some other threads that lifting the front can cause the ball joint on the UCA to bang against the coil spring in extention. could this be the problem with the bilsteins set at max setting? If it is that would explain why aftermarket UCA's solve the problem mentioned earlier. I want to buy some of these shocks but I am worried about the banging on extention I described. I just want a level truck so will 2" level it out or do I have to go with the max setting?

[sbsyncro]

Originally Posted by jmevans_2

I have read in some other threads that lifting the front can cause the ball joint on the UCA to bang against the coil spring in extention. could this be the problem with the bilsteins set at max setting? If it is that would explain why aftermarket UCA's solve the problem mentioned earlier. I want to buy some of these shocks but I am worried about the banging on extention I described. I just want a level truck so will 2" level it out or do I have to go with the max setting?

It would be interesting to see if the $650 Bilstein "BTS" series coilovers exhibit this same "clunking". I had this same problem with another 4x4 car I used to have when I went to taller springs and shocks on a stock suspension (though it was a different design - a VW Vanagon Syncro Camper)

[tundraboy27909]

Is there a shock boot that goes with the 5100 like the factory bilsteins? It seems a littl odd that they factory bilsteins would have a shock boot but the 5100's would not.

I read on the bilstein site that the 5100 Series "feature a zinc plated finish that can be cleaned with Scotch-Brite or metal polish". This statement makes me think that they may need to be polished at some point. Anyone have any input on this?

[longwoodklon]

Originally Posted by Cyberbilly

You are partially correct; they do add some preload. But the overall length of the shock itself is longer than the factory shock, so you also pick up some additional altitude that way.

Man, it's hard to tell from that pic. I mean, if you line the bottom mounting holes up it seems like the total shock length is pretty darn close to the same. The only difference is the lower coil mount is higher, causing the preload and the lift.

My understanding is that the benefit of 'in coil spacers' is they use the shock to limit travel, preventing gross ball joint angles at extension. The above the coil spacers don't. I mean:
In coil spacers=same total extension.
Above coil spacers=increased total extension, limit straps recommended.

So here we have this shock. If you achieve lift by moving up the lower coil mounting position, you are effectively doing what a 'in coil' spacer would do. If you go and extend the shock length, then wouldn't you then be increasing your total extension capability and therefore risk over extension?
Or is it similar to the spacer lifts that use 2 pieces, a small piece inside the coil and a small piece outside the coil? Increasing overall extension slightly but within a reasonable range.

I've been trying to understand how this shock can give such an improved ride over spacer lifts, as people have mentioned. I guess a slightly longer shock would be the answer. /Mike

[Cyberbilly]

Originally Posted by longwoodklon

I've been trying to understand how this shock can give such an improved ride over spacer lifts, as people have mentioned. I guess a slightly longer shock would be the answer. /Mike

Well, whatever it is, it works great. I don't have any rubbing or bottoming out. And no sign of Ball Joint or CV boot problems so far...

[jmevans_2]

So how many settings do the bilsteins have. I heard one guy say that he set his on the second to highest setting or 3rd groove from the bottom. I thought it only had 3 grooves/settings..? It looks like the guy that used the second highest setting needs about 1" in the rear to level it out. I have ordered my bilsteins and should be getting them next week. I just need to know what setting to use with a 1" block in the rear. And if I use the max setting would I need a 1.5" block for the rear?

[Cyberbilly]

Originally Posted by jmevans_2

So how many settings do the bilsteins have. I heard one guy say that he set his on the second to highest setting or 3rd groove from the bottom. I thought it only had 3 grooves/settings..? It looks like the guy that used the second highest setting needs about 1" in the rear to level it out. I have ordered my bilsteins and should be getting them next week. I just need to know what setting to use with a 1" block in the rear. And if I use the max setting would I need a 1.5" block for the rear?

There are 3 settings. The lowest setting is the same as the stock height. The middle setting corrects for the factory rake, and levels the truck. If you go with the highest setting, you will need raise the rear about 1 inch (blocks or AALs) to keep it level.

[Tundra Truck Driver]

So we should keep it at the 2nd level setting to ensure the shock doesn't do any of that clunking business. However, I feel you could jack it up to the highest setting but drive carefully and not while offroading. How easy or not easy is it to change the settings... you would probably have to take out the shocks and redo em probably, right?

[sbsyncro]

note that I think these shocks are not suitable for DCs because of the weight (so I have read on one of these threads). this is what is leaning me towards the BTS coillovers from Bilstein. I wonder if anyone has successfully run these on a 4wd DC...?

see my other thread about the BTS coilovers for more info on that option...

Correction [added 3/19/2007]: After a conversation with a Bilstein rep, I determined that the opposite is true of my statement above - He stated that the BTS coilovers were not designed for the heavier Double Cab, and particularly did not recommend them for the 4x4 DC. He did say that the Pre-load adjustable 5100 was a "great shock" for the 4x4 DC however.

[land guru 1]

The BTS Coilover will NOT work with the double cabs that are 4wd. I spoke with Bilstein directly about it - the 4wd DC is too heavy. Sorry to burst your bubble. Next option/step up in price is probably the SAW's at around $700.

[sbsyncro]

Originally Posted by land guru 1

The BTS Coilover will NOT work with the double cabs that are 4wd. I spoke with Bilstein directly about it - the 4wd DC is too heavy. Sorry to burst your bubble. Next option/step up in price is probably the SAW's at around $700.

Bummer - that's the first I've heard of that. So... Sway-a-Way products are something I've always thought of as buying out of the JC Whitney catalog, but they seem to get good marks among TS visitors....

Do they require new UCAs? That's what I was hoping to avoid...

Thanks,

[Tundra Truck Driver]

Originally Posted by sbsyncro

note that I think these shocks are not suitable for DCs because of the weight (so I have read on one of these threads). this is what is leaning me towards the BTS coillovers from Bilstein. I wonder if anyone has successfully run these on a 4wd DC...?

see my other thread about the BTS coilovers for more info on that option...

aw shucks. you are completely sure DC's are too heavy for these adjustable shocks?