How about a Bilstein 5100 Adjustable shock update - Page 6

cleanb13 · #76 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 09:12 AM

With these shocks at the highest setting is there any contact between the upperball joint or upper control arm and the coil spring when the suspension is "extended" or "unloaded"?

crash_OK · #77 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleanb13

With these shocks at the highest setting is there any contact between the upperball joint or upper control arm and the coil spring when the suspension is "extended" or "unloaded"?

Not on a 2006 DC 4x4.. However it doesn't lack much ...

jclark01 · #78 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 11:08 AM

"frankly I'm surprised that it is this low... Basically, for about $2,000 I'll have a 2.5" lift professionally installed with Bilstein shocks and brand new "killer" tires. A pretty good deal in my mind."

Yes but if you just did it by yourself you would save money, even if you just did your rear shocks and AAL's, you only need a jack and a few other tools it is not hard. But hey if you got the money then thats your choice, I just feel better knowing that I banged my own nuckles up getting the truck to higher standards and saved some money for other upgrades. Just my opinion like instead of wheel spacer's some brand new "blinging" wheels.

drlowfreq · #79 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 01:34 PM

Sometimes Time > money. Also, messing with a spring compressor is not fun.

But, no doubt doing it yourself will save you money. The gain in knowledge was enough for me to do it myself as much as possible.

rthistle2 · #80 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 03:22 PM

I have a 2002 Tundra AC TRD with stock 16" wheels. I just ordered the Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks from ORW. My goal is to raise the front enough that the bed is level. Can anyone tell me which of the 3 setting on the Bilsteins will do the leveling?

sbsyncro · #81 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jclark01

Yes but if you just did it by yourself you would save money, even if you just did your rear shocks and AAL's, you only need a jack and a few other tools it is not hard. But hey if you got the money then thats your choice, I just feel better knowing that I banged my own nuckles up getting the truck to higher standards and saved some money for other upgrades. Just my opinion like instead of wheel spacer's some brand new "blinging" wheels.

Heh, I suspect there is a bit of an age difference between us - I've "been there, done that" enough times that I now pay someone else to do the cursing and knuckle-banging (and spring compressing). Also, "bling" wheels aren't frankly that important to me.

That being said, someday I'd like other wheels, but $$ for performance, they just don't offer much.... (the $1,000 on wheels would be better spend on a Trak RaK and kayak, IMO)

crash_OK · #82 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rthistle2

I have a 2002 Tundra AC TRD with stock 16" wheels. I just ordered the Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks from ORW. My goal is to raise the front enough that the bed is level. Can anyone tell me which of the 3 setting on the Bilsteins will do the leveling?

I used the top slot (I beleive there are 4 slots) on my 06 4x4 DC. I got about 2.6" of lift, which is about .6" high in front from level.

jaegermeister · #83 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 04:45 PM

I just got my 5100's yesterday and was surprised that there were 5 grooves instead of 3. Also, it seems it just has a simple c-clip for the groove and the spring base just slides down and rests on that. Now, I don't mind this, but I've been reading others talk about having a few more parts than that to put it together and the pictures on the web showed a thicker sort-of band that seemed to go around the c-clip or something. Am I missing some parts?? All I have is the c-clip and the new spring base as far as the adjustment mechanism goes. Also, the web showed only 3 grooves - did they redesign it?

Cyberbilly · #84 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rthistle2

I have a 2002 Tundra AC TRD with stock 16" wheels. I just ordered the Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks from ORW. My goal is to raise the front enough that the bed is level. Can anyone tell me which of the 3 setting on the Bilsteins will do the leveling?

If you are going for Level, use the second setting. But for a few more $$$, you can add 1-inch blocks in the rear, and go with the top setting on the shocks. You'll still be level, but you'll have an extra inch of altitude.

Also, get a diff drop kit for the front. A Must Have if you don't want to keep replacing CV joint boots.

Cyberbilly · #85 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaegermeister

I just got my 5100's yesterday and was surprised that there were 5 grooves instead of 3. Also, it seems it just has a simple c-clip for the groove and the spring base just slides down and rests on that. Now, I don't mind this, but I've been reading others talk about having a few more parts than that to put it together and the pictures on the web showed a thicker sort-of band that seemed to go around the c-clip or something. Am I missing some parts?? All I have is the c-clip and the new spring base as far as the adjustment mechanism goes. Also, the web showed only 3 grooves - did they redesign it?

Hmmm...

There were only 3 grooves on mine. And yes, you install the c-clip, then you slide a sleeve on the shock to keep the c-clip in place, then you slide the shock seat over top of that.

crash_OK · #86 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaegermeister

I just got my 5100's yesterday and was surprised that there were 5 grooves instead of 3. Also, it seems it just has a simple c-clip for the groove and the spring base just slides down and rests on that. Now, I don't mind this, but I've been reading others talk about having a few more parts than that to put it together and the pictures on the web showed a thicker sort-of band that seemed to go around the c-clip or something. Am I missing some parts?? All I have is the c-clip and the new spring base as far as the adjustment mechanism goes. Also, the web showed only 3 grooves - did they redesign it?

I looked at mine again and there were 4 grooves. I contacted Bilstien when I recieved mine and they stated the shock had a few different versions. The latest version is like you describe. The sleeve that Cyberbilly was talking about is no longer used. It is a part of the lower spring mount now. Below is a picture right off of the offroad warehouse site.

sbsyncro · #87 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 01:36 PM

I just received mine yesterday and are exactly the same - 5 grooves.

I have my Tundra in for 25,000 mile service today and the Lower Ball joint replacement. They quoted me $200 extra to install the shocks, so I am having them do that too.

They just called me though and asked what groove I wanted. When I told him that I wanted the highest setting, he told me that this would void my warranty because it changes the geometry of the suspension.

Oops. Now I think I might be screwed, 'cause this goes into their computers....

Anyone with experience on this issue? If they take a hard stance, then I will be going after them for a refund of my "extended warranty" that I got with the truck.

jaegermeister · #88 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 09:56 PM

Thanks for the help guys!!

Crash_ok, that picture is exactly what I have (but with 5 grooves). That's great news - at least I know I've got all the parts!

You said the old sleeve is now part of the spring mount - is the mount supposed to cover the c-clip or rest on top of it? Any idea of where to get some directions for these shocks?

I will be using the next groove down from top and a diff drop. I have the V6 4X4 and stock it's only an inch and a half lower in front, sooooo..... I should be higher in front when it's all done. Some blocks in the rear and I'll be golden. Will be doing it this weekend and I will take before and after measurements and post them for y'all and if I can get myself outta the last century I'll figure out how to get some pics up, too!

sbsyncro: I believe they can only void the warranty on the specific area that you modified, i.e. the front suspension. Your extended warranty should still cover you for everything else. I read a great thread here a while back about this very thing but don't remember the name of it. It had to do with lifting too. Definetely worth checking into and finding out what the law is. Don't take their word for it and don't cancel that warranty just yet!!!!

Good luck.

sbsyncro · #89 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 10:45 PM

OK, either I am a total idiot and I am working on the wrong part of the car, but I don't think the diff drop kit from Total Chaos is going to work with my '05 double cab...

As you can see from the photo, there is a small protrusion coming off the frame rail that fits down into the rubber bushing on the diff mount. The spacer needs a recess to fit over this protrusion, otherwise it "rides" on top of this protrusion and causes a really wierd gap between the frame rail and the spacer. Furthermore, the spacer doesn't fit down into the recess in the rubber bushing...

Am I missing something here? (very likely...)

sbsyncro · #90 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 11:31 PM

On another note, I had the fronts installed today on the top most groove (of the 5 grooves) and parked in the same spot in my driveway, here are the before and after measurements:

Driver's Side
Before: 19 5/8"
After: 22 7/8"

Pax Side
Before: 20"
After: 23 3/4"

Yikes! As you can see it raised the front 3-1/4" to 3-3/4" Yowza!

No wonder my passenger side CV boot starting spitting grease immediately on the drive home. Hopefully they will settle over the next couple of days - otherwise I'll be pulling them out to drop them down a notch or two, or else risk destroying my upper ball joint and CV joints... (Or do I just buy some Camburgs..... bwahaha!

)