How about a Bilstein 5100 Adjustable shock update

[jaegermeister]

I have an 04 AC V6 4x4. 5100's set on middle groove and truck is nice and level. I gained about 1.5" after all was said and done and settled. I've got stock shocks in rear. Ride is basically the same as stock - the front feels better though - handles well. I'm running 305/70/16 wildcats on 16x8 rims w/ 4" BS. Just a hair of a rub on the mudflaps and that's it. I did the diff drop, but grease still is leaking a bit. Got hose clamps today.

[mjunior]

Originally Posted by climberpm

Any pics? What size tires/wheels are you running Mike? Is you DC 4wd or 2?

No pics yet. Mine is a 4x4 Doublecab. I'm running 285/60/18 Nitto Terra Grapplers. Fantastic rubber so far. Aggresive looking tread, but still really quiet on the road. Slight rub on the mud guards at full turn in reverse, but other than that they're great. I'll try and take a couple pics in the next few days and post them in my gallery.

mike

[RCBS]

anyone got these on their tacoma?

[climberpm]

Originally Posted by mjunior

No pics yet. Mine is a 4x4 Doublecab. I'm running 285/60/18 Nitto Terra Grapplers. Fantastic rubber so far. Aggresive looking tread, but still really quiet on the road. Slight rub on the mud guards at full turn in reverse, but other than that they're great. I'll try and take a couple pics in the next few days and post them in my gallery.

mike

Did you use any wheel adapters Mike? Some folks here have mentioned they needed to push the wheels out about 1.25-1.5" to make the bigger tires clear the UCA.
Thanks - look forward to your pics!

Paul

[sbsyncro]

Yea,

I used my stock wheels and had to use 1.5" wheel spacers to provide clearance for the UCAs.

To be honest, I am having problems with alignment - the front feels a bit "skittish" and I get vibrations at 50 mph or so similar to wheels being out of balance just slightly.

Its not enough to make it feel dangerous, but it definitely does bother me.

According to some on the alignment/wheels/tires forum, it is because any lift totally screws up the ability for an alignment tech to set a proper alignment. Unless I get lucky, it appears I will have to live with shorter tire life, shorter front suspension component life, and funky steering... Good thing I really like the way it looks...

[Cyberbilly]

Originally Posted by sbsyncro

Yea,

I used my stock wheels and had to use 1.5" wheel spacers to provide clearance for the UCAs.

To be honest, I am having problems with alignment - the front feels a bit "skittish" and I get vibrations at 50 mph or so similar to wheels being out of balance just slightly.

Its not enough to make it feel dangerous, but it definitely does bother me.

I have the same problem. I think it may be due to the fact that the spacers are hub-centric to the hub, but the wheels are log-centric to the spacers.

I'f I had know better at the time, I'd have found adapters that are hub-centric on both sides.

[mjunior]

Originally Posted by climberpm

Did you use any wheel adapters Mike? Some folks here have mentioned they needed to push the wheels out about 1.25-1.5" to make the bigger tires clear the UCA.
Thanks - look forward to your pics!

Paul

Nope. No wheel adapters. The new rims just bolted right on, and the tires clear the uca with no problem I am having some alignment problems as well right now. Mostly due to the fact that the dealer does not want to clamp onto my nice new rims to do the alignment. I'm taking it in next tuesday to have the alignemnt done again using the factory rims and tires, and then they'll put the aftermarkets back on again. I hope that will be the end of it. I'll try to get some pics this weekend.
mike

[climberpm]

Originally Posted by mjunior

Nope. No wheel adapters. The new rims just bolted right on, and the tires clear the uca with no problem I am having some alignment problems as well right now. Mostly due to the fact that the dealer does not want to clamp onto my nice new rims to do the alignment. I'm taking it in next tuesday to have the alignemnt done again using the factory rims and tires, and then they'll put the aftermarkets back on again. I hope that will be the end of it. I'll try to get some pics this weekend.
mike

Keep us posted Mike, curious to hear how it all works out! Also looking forward to your pics!!

[climberpm]

Originally Posted by climberpm

Did you use any wheel adapters Mike? Some folks here have mentioned they needed to push the wheels out about 1.25-1.5" to make the bigger tires clear the UCA.
Thanks - look forward to your pics!

Paul

Hey again, what size wheels are you using Mike? I notice sbsynchro needed wheel adapters with his stock wheels which I think are a 4.5BS 17x7.5 and 285/70/17 tires. I think Cyberbilly has a similar setup and he also needed the adpaters.

I'm trying to fgure out why some guys need them and others don't?

I'm thinking a wider rim, even one with the same BS, somehow makes the difference but I don't understand the geometry of why it makes a difference. Must be the way the tire seats on the rim?

I've talked to at least two guys with 17x9 wheels, one w/285/70/17 the other w/33x12.5 and neither of them need the adapters and both say there is no rubbing on the UCA

Thanks to all

Paul

[Cyberbilly]

Originally Posted by climberpm

Hey again, what size wheels are you using Mike? I notice sbsynchro needed wheel adapters with his stock wheels which I think are a 4.5BS 17x7.5 and 285/70/17 tires. I think Cyberbilly has a similar setup and he also needed the adpaters.

I'm trying to fgure out why some guys need them and others don't?

It is because of the backspacing of the wheel. By using the adpaters, you are creating "artificial backspacing" on the factory wheels that ordinarily would not have enough BS.

If you by aftermarket wheels that already have the necessary BS, you do not need adapters.

[mjunior]

Originally Posted by Cyberbilly

If you by aftermarket wheels that already have the necessary BS, you do not need adapters.

Bingo!! I got these rims Wheel Details - Discount Tire Direct and the backspacing is almost identical to the factory rims, if not exactly the same. They were really helpful at discount tires every time I called. I was able to call the same guy a couple times prior to placing my order and he helped me out with all my questions every time. Give them a call and ask about various rims. They can tell what will fit and what will need an adapter to fit.

Paul, I'm using 285/60/18 Nitto Terra Grapplers. Tire Details - Discount Tire Direct About an inch taller and wider than the factory dunflops, but with a touch less sidewall. Gives me an aggresive larger looking tire without sacrificing ride quality by losing a lot of sidewall cushion. Very quiet tire on the highway as well. I can highly recommend them. Time will tell how much tread life I get out of them. I would be pretty happy with 40-45000 miles.
mike

[climberpm]

Originally Posted by Cyberbilly

It is because of the backspacing of the wheel. By using the adpaters, you are creating "artificial backspacing" on the factory wheels that ordinarily would not have enough BS.

If you by aftermarket wheels that already have the necessary BS, you do not need adapters.

Hmm...I'm a little slow on this still. Don't the factory rims that you have use a 4.5"BS? And wouldn't this be the same as a 4.5BS on a 17x9 wheel? In short isn't a 4.5BS a 4.5BS regardless of the wheel width?
Both guys I was referring to using the 17x9 rims both indicated a 4.5BS on those wheels.

Thanks for your patience in talking to the 5 year old here!

[mjunior]

Originally Posted by climberpm

Hmm...I'm a little slow on this still. Don't the factory rims that you have use a 4.5"BS? And wouldn't this be the same as a 4.5BS on a 17x9 wheel? In short isn't a 4.5BS a 4.5BS regardless of the wheel width?
Both guys I was referring to using the 17x9 rims both indicated a 4.5BS on those wheels.

Thanks for your patience in talking to the 5 year old here!

Here's a great site to go to in order to make a comparison. Wheel / tire size calculator / comparer - WHEELSMASTER
I used it quite a bit when comparing aftermarket rims to my factory ones. It gives a good visual comparison for people like me (number impaired, but learn better through visual cues).

mike

[Cyberbilly]

Originally Posted by climberpm

Hmm...I'm a little slow on this still. Don't the factory rims that you have use a 4.5"BS?

Yes.

Originally Posted by climberpm

And wouldn't this be the same as a 4.5BS on a 17x9 wheel?

Yes.

Originally Posted by climberpm

In short isn't a 4.5BS a 4.5BS regardless of the wheel width?

Also, yes.

Originally Posted by climberpm

Both guys I was referring to using the 17x9 rims both indicated a 4.5BS on those wheels.

Thanks for your patience in talking to the 5 year old here!

No problem. I researched various lifts, wheels, and tire combinations for two years before I finally made my move. It is the best way to avoid an expensive mistake.

[climberpm]

Originally Posted by Cyberbilly

It is because of the backspacing of the wheel. By using the adpaters, you are creating "artificial backspacing" on the factory wheels that ordinarily would not have enough BS.

If you by aftermarket wheels that already have the necessary BS, you do not need adapters.

OK I'm thick as molasses still. I've looked at the graphics Mike linked to, Thanks Mike, and I feel like I understand the concept of BS , the illustrations in the link made sense but I'm still missing a piece of this puzzle!
Your factory rims, without adapters, have a 4.5BS right? So with 1.5" adapters they become equal to a 3"BS right?
If true how can a 9" wheel with 4.5"BS not have a problem when a 7.5" wheel w/4.5"BS have a problem?

Thanks again guys!!