How about a Bilstein 5100 Adjustable shock update

[jaegermeister]

Holy crap!! 3+" on a double cab??? Wonder what my little v6 access cab will get!!!
I wonder if you just ground the weld down a little or ground your own recess into the spacer if that would work. However, I have no knowledge of this situation - I haven't got to doing mine yet.
By the way - that's a super sharp pic right there!

[sbsyncro]

I'm wondering if maybe it is because I have a non-TRD, and before the lift it was REALLY low in the front. (like a '70's funny car). Now it is about 1" higher in the front, which looks a bit goofy but not too bad. Hopefully when I get the Deaver AALs installed tomorrow it will level it out (which means nose in the air while towing a trailer...).

[jmevans_2]

I got mine put in over spring break. I think I did pretty good on my budget. I got the front shocks(5 settings:used highest setting) and rear 1" blocks put in for $100 and an alignment that was $45. Also instead lighting my money on fire and buying blocks from wheelers, I just bought them from autozone. Blocks and U-bolts were $34. I spent roughly $374 on everything installed.

My truck has an agressive stance with the front 1/4" higher than the back. Now I have to use the OS handle on the driverside column to get in my truck.
I have done some light offroading and they are very comfortable. Still need to get the rear shocks to finish it off but I'm ok right now.

Here is the instruction sheet that Shane emailed me. Hopefully I can attach it.

[climberpm]

Originally Posted by sbsyncro

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! )

So how are things settling out? I'm getting things lined up to do pretty much the same lift you just did. Wondering about the grease/cv problem? How about the diff drop? I read another post that said they had issues too with the TC diff drop. Sounds like you just have to work through it? Longer bolts for the skid plate?

Anyone know if there are there other diff drops available that supply these items?

Paul

[jclark01]

So will these give me u just as much lift as my 3" toytec spacers?

[Cyberbilly]

Originally Posted by climberpm

How about the diff drop? I read another post that said they had issues too with the TC diff drop. Sounds like you just have to work through it? Longer bolts for the skid plate?

Anyone know if there are there other diff drops available that supply these items?

Paul

That's the problem I ran into. Fortunately, my installer had longer metric bolts in stock and with a couple of old shock bushings to act as spacers/cushions, we solved the skid plate problem.

You could, of course, just get your own longer skidplate bolts as long as they were automotive grade hardware (nothing from Home Depot, etc.)

I'm sure there are DD kits out there with the longer skidplate bolts, but I don't know of specifics.

[gbetzbikes]

I hear that the new Donahoes have a "IVD coating" supposedly to protect from harsh environments? I live in Wisconsin/Minnesota a lot of road salt up here. Any advice? Do other Coilover brands SAWs etc.. hold up in harsh climates?

[cleanb13]

Originally Posted by gbetzbikes

I hear that the new Donahoes have a "IVD coating" supposedly to protect from harsh environments? I live in Wisconsin/Minnesota a lot of road salt up here. Any advice? Do other Coilover brands SAWs etc.. hold up in harsh climates?

I have my C/O's at SAW and they told me that they have a new body coming out that was tested against the elements and passed without a problem. I'm going to switch my bodies and see if it's true.

[TRDDave]

I just put on a pair of the 5100 Pre Load Adjustable shocks yesterday and they are awesome!! The install was really easy (I have access to a commercial, floor mounted strut compressor), it took about 2.5 hours to install. The ride is great! I haven't hit any dirt yet, but my Tundra is a 2wd so it won't see much dirt anyways. Here are a couple pics with 17" Helo Maxx 6 wheels, and 285/70/17 BFG Mud Terrains. Left the rear completely stock, sits just like I wanted it too!

[sbsyncro]

Don't suppose you took before and after measurements, by any chance?

[D.B.]

TRDDave,
The Bilstein's look like they did a great job of leveling out your truck. I have a 2006 2wd AC V-8 Tundra and would like to achieve the same leveling stance. Do you remember what settings you used on the 5100's? Any before and after measurements? Did you notice any change in the handleing after the install?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
DB

[TRDDave]

No measurements, sorry. I was too anxious to install them!

The ride is great. A little stiffer than stock, but it feels like a truck now, not a camry!

I have the shocks on the highest setting.

[jmevans_2]

TRDDave, What did you use to lift the back?
Looks like you lifted the rear 1" like I did. Did you use the Bilsteins in the rear as well?
I like the aggressive stance, especially the wheel and tire combo. I will probabaly get some black rims like those.

[jpphill_2000]

FYI Guys, I have found front and rear Bilstein 5100 for $315 for both including free shipping on ebay. Waiting for mine to come in and get installed.

[TRDDave]

TRDDave, What did you use to lift the back?

Absolutely nothing in the back. I bought a 1" block thinking I would need it, but like it just the way it is. It has the stock Bilsteins out back.