Bilstein Suspension advice

[summerprophet]

Hey all,
I already tried posting this over on Yotatech, and searched damn near everywhere, but here is to hoping I can get a response over here.

I have a 99 4runner with 1.5" revtek spacer lift.

Revtek says go with stock size shocks/struts.
(these would be the 4600 series)

Installer says to go with 2" lift shocks for better performance and articulation
(these would be the 5100 series)

No idea what to do here... would like to get this done this week.

Thanks

 

[Mrknowitall]

If you're running a spacer, keep with stock lenth stuff. Otherwise you could run into bottoming the strut (no bueno). If you're looking for more travel, look into a good set of lift struts/coils together.

 

[summerprophet]

Much appreciated.

Not looking for more travel, happy with the lift as is, but just blew out one of the stock front shocks.

Thanks

 

[Wainiha]

If you are getting Bilstein why not get their adjustable ones and eliminate the spacer? Is there a large price difference?

 

[summerprophet]

Well, getting new coils would be the additonal costs.

I know loads of people go all suspension, but my rig is a pretty mild build. 1.5 spacer and 1.5 body (with spidertrax to deal with any additional body roll). I just fit 33's after hammering down the pinch weld, and everything feels very close to stock. It is working for me, so why change it?

 

[Mrknowitall]

If you are getting Bilstein why not get their adjustable ones and eliminate the spacer? Is there a large price difference?

Price is within a few dollars. It gives you the option of adjusting in small incriments as the springs squash over time.

 

[Wainiha]

I think you reuse the stock coils on the adjustables.

 

[exploreFL]

I have just put Bilstein adjustables on my 06 tundra with stock coils, they work great. I have no noticed a difference in ride and it looks great. I would suggest the same thing for a tacoma, especially if they are close in price. Just my .02

 

[Stone_Blue]

Yeah, 5100 adjustables reuse your stock coils. You can do 5100s for just around $75-$100 more than a spacer kit. That includes the labor to have a shop change the coils over for you...So if you're brave enough to swap them yourself, the price difference is even less.

The 5100s are a better choice than spacers because the suspension geometry changes that the 5100s introduce arent as harsh on CVs, ball joints and other stock components as those imposed with spacers.

And you should never combine spacers with a coil over lift, or double-stack different suspension kits...especially those that are not designed to be used together. If you really wanna keep your spacers, I would just go with replacement stock length struts, NOT lifted ones.

 

[summerprophet]

So you are saying I can remove the spacers, replace the shocks with lift shocks without replacing the coils? Isn't the truck height determined by the coils?

 

[GhostRing]

The 5100 series shocks for a TUNDRA have good, matched valving for a 3rd gen 4Runner.
They also have 5 (2-3 usable) height settings that locate the coils on the shock.

 

[Wainiha]

The adjustable Bilsteins have 3 settings for coil position. This allows you to adjust the height as needed with the stock coils.

 

[Stone_Blue]

So you are saying I can remove the spacers, replace the shocks with lift shocks without replacing the coils? Isn't the truck height determined by the coils?

Yes you can remove the spacers and get lift from replacing just the shocks.
The 5100 adjustables have 5 settings, from stock (0" lift) to 2.5" lift. Basically the bottom coil spring bucket gets moved up or down the outer body of the shock, basically changing the length of the strut, so no need to replace your stock coils.

 

[Exploresys]

I was in the same situation, the 4runner came with a spacer. I replaced it with Bilstein 5100s and it made a noticeable improvement in ride and offroad articulation.

 

[Stone_Blue]

Maybe this will help a little:

http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_us/pdfs/Bil_LevShks_WebArticle.pdf