Another Bilstein 5100 Advice Thread (among other things)

My rust-belt 1GT with 168K just passed inspection for the second time since I've owned it, so as promised it's time to spend a big pile of maintenance cash on it. What's definitely getting ordered includes:

• OEM LBJ's - embarrassing how long I've put this off
• Front Shocks - were last done at 80K in 2010, seems like a good 'while I'm in there'
• Timing belt/water pump kit - was done by dealer at 127K in 2017. It's well within mileage spec but is awfully old for a rubber belt, if anyone has thoughts on this lmk
• Moog UBJ's - or maybe genuine Toyota? I put a moog in a couple years ago and it split the boot within months, but that probably had more to do with me over-greasing
• Front soft lines
• Brake fluid flush

What's maybe getting done is:

• Radiator? - nothin wrong with it but sounds like a good preventative, no records it's been done
• Tie rod ends - weren't obviously failing last time I was under there but they appear to be original
• Coolant hoses and clamps
• thermostat? fan clutch? serpentine idlers?? - all of that misc. stuff people talk about doing with the timing job
• Sway bar links - unclear whether or not I need extended ones for a ~2" lift

My main question is choosing between Bilstein 5100's and 4600's up front. I want to level the front, and had been planning to get 5100's for a long time as the 'right' way to do this. The more I read about it I'm concerned about them riding a lot stiffer.

I don't off-road much, but I spend a lot of time chopping up potholes that might as well be. I've read lots of mixed reviews of 4600's riding better and 5100's being too stiff. The ~$100 difference between them isn't a huge factor since $100 for a functional 2" lift seems perfectly reasonable if it's not a big sacrifice on ride quality. Any improvement over the 90K mile-old stockies would be great. The rears were done at 130K so I'm leaving those alone for now.

would softer springs make sense? or at least new OEM springs since these are original?

Anyone got 5100's on a 4WD AC? does the maximum recommended '3rd' notch even level it out noticeably?

Thanks for any input!

 

A couple of those questions are answered in the "Suspension, wheel and tires ..." section of this thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

I'd recommend taking a sec to read it. Wanna take a sec to read that, then come back and let us know what questions you still have?

 

will do, thanks. Hadn't actually gone through that one very thoroughly yet.

 

Some reading if worried about stiff ride and want to consider an alternative for about same price using approved settings....

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2-5-lift-on-1st-gen.140326/#post-3536338

https://www.tundras.com/threads/springs-for-bilstein-5100.136288/page-2#post-3475250

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2-5-lift-on-1st-gen.140326/#post-3536140

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2-5-lift-on-1st-gen.140326/#post-3536140

 

My truck had those on it when I bought it and they weren't very old from what I was told and they were both blown out. I'd go OEM I don't think they're very expensive.

Do it. Order from Rockauto for a lesser chance of it being damaged.

You do 100 percent. I bent my stock size ones after leveling the front.

I went 5100's to level with stock TRD springs. Swapping the springs over sucks I would recommend buying preassembled ones if you can afford the difference.

 

Some great info on there, sorry the search feature hadn't gotten me as far as I thought haha.

So the verdict is definitely extended sway bar links, good to know. It sounds like maybe 5100's with the OME 2884s would fit the bill if the taller springs help with ride quality which would make sense to me. I'd much prefer a slight rake over any squat at all, so 2883s might be playing it safer since I plan to leave the rear stock. The OME's add a fair bit of cost, but I guess it's not much if I should replace the coils anyway.. 24 years and 168K miles is pretty old for some springs but it's not the kind of thing I've ever thought to replace unless they're broken.

I guess the main question is just figuring out if all that will improve ride quality significantly over stock. I've seen people describe the 5100's as a 'stiffer but still better ride' which I find a bit confusing unless that's just about less body roll on fast corners. What do you think of your setup @NickB_01TRD ?

If anyone with a similar setup to that on 4WD AC cares to weigh in I'll take any opinions I can get. Or if anyone feels especially strongly about replacing coils at a certain interval.

 

I put 5100's on my 1st gen ('00 AC 4X4) and while it was "firmer" it wasn't harsh.

I also put 10 ply E range BFG's on it, I'd say those affected the ride more than the Bilsteins. You can't use the 5100's top setting so that helps, since you're not putting as much preload on the springs as you would if you maxed them out.











And DEFINITELY do the LBJ's before they fail... Don't ask me how I know.

It wasn't her fault... she tried to tell me they were due, and I didn't pay attention.

 

great looking rig @SD Surfer sorry to hear about the LBJ's, looks like you made it out without any body panel damage at least.

Thanks for the input!

 

She was a good truck!! Kinda' miss the ol' girl.

It was pretty surreal, I was making a left from the very busy 4-lane behind me in that pic onto the street where it sits, and as I started my turn it sounded and felt like I'd been hit but I knew I hadn't.

I remember saying "WTF?!" out loud.

I didn't want to be sitting in the middle of this 50+ MPH street (Going into La Jolla) so I just drug that tire onto the cross street... you can see the tracks.

Yeah, I got lucky. It pushed the fender up and out the tiniest bit, I could see that gap between fender and door was off maybe a mm but probably not enough that anyone else would notice.

Fixed her boo-boo and she served me well for another 18 months till I got the 2019 version of the same model/trim.

 

Mine rides fine. I've determined I'm not really the best to say much on ride quality, I really feel like there wasn't much difference in the original and the 5100. My coils were in perfectly usable shape as I'm sure yours are too. The swapping process just felt sketchy with the spring compressor I rented. Maybe you can get your hands on something better if you want to go that route.

 

Such a bummer but glad it turned out ok. Great looking truck. Did you check Toyota Owners for the service history to see if it had the recall LBJs done at any point, and so these were the replacement OEM JBJs that failed later?

 

Found the 5100s on AC 4x4 V8 felt stiffer than stock for sure and that makes some things like body roll better but also can feel harsh on bumps etc, so that's probably 'stiffer but still better ride'.

The Eibachs feel softer comparatively. And at 248,000 miles the stock springs still gave the full 3" as advertised.

A longer spring using a lower clip setting would feel different then using the stock springs at the higher setting.

 

Same tires before and after the lift?

 

I didn't... Somewhere I have all the records (Bought it from my FIL... pestered him for YEARS to sell it to me)

Once it happened I just fixed 'em and moved on.

I remember right before they failed noticing that it didn't return to center as easily, like coming out of a U-turn.

That should've been my clue to investigate, but alas...

 

That's a good point. Ran two sets of tires over about 100,000 miles on the billys with last set being Toyo A/T II LT285/65R18. Then switched to Discount Tire Pathfinder AT LT275/70R18 about the same time swapped out the billys for the eibachs. IIRC they're both E1. Also, IIRC their tech support talked about being valved differently and have a longer arm in comparison so it's not supposed to top out at the highest clip setting using stock springs.

 

Just put 4600's and new mounts/bushings on my 07 2nd Gen... replaced the stock tokico's/kyb's rear at @ 130k miles and WOW its like a new truck.. top BJ's had some sludge but appeared to be ok, lowers where still kinda stiff and Sway's didnt clack on her