Help! Bilstein 5100 leveling kit questions.

Hello I’m New to this forum and I had a quick question. I’ve been searching all over and I can’t find any answers to my question about the Bilstein 5100s front and rear.

I want to replace the stock shocks with both front and rear 5100s in order to level the truck with improved handling vs just getting the rough country spacer blocks.

1) would you recommend these shocks over a rough country leveling kit (3in front 1in rear)

2) If I went with the set of four 5100s what else do I need to buy to ensure I don’t mess anything up? I don’t off-road much this is just for the highway and occasionally the beach no serious off reading. I will eventually put 33s or 35s on it.

3) Would you recxoment any other type of kits In the same price range?

4) do I need a differential drop kit?

 

1) yes, the 5100's are much better than any spacer lift.

2) the highest the 5100's will lift is 2.24" in the front. for the rear, the 5100's will accommodate a lift, but they do not provide the lift. you will need to get either an add a leaf, a block, or a shackle to lift the rear. (shackles seem to be the preferred method for the rear). depending on your wheel offset, 33's will easily clear with minimal trimming and 35's will require more trimming.

3) for the price, nothing beats the 5100's. there really isnt any other lift option in that price range. however, the next best lift would be the bilstein 6112's. they include a shock and coil and go for about $800 for the fronts: they can provide 0.75", 1.3", 1.9", and 2.5" of lift. however, once you get around 2.5-3.0" of lift, you may have to start thinking about an aftermarket UCA to achieve a proper alignment.


BTW, I have the 5100's on the middle setting (1.57") with 33's:

 

Using @Coachbuilder1 recommendation will give you 3” or so.
5100’s on top setting with his shims
And his shackles in the rear

You don’t have to do 5100’s in the rear unless you just want to replace the OEM’s.

 

thanks! @Netmonkey I’m trying to achieve the same look your truck has I didn’t want to touch the rear end if I didn’t have to I just wanted it perfectly leveled.

Do I need to buy a differential drop kit?
And all you did there was add the 5100s no additional parts?

 

Welcome from NY.
Just 5100's and set the fronts on the middle setting.

 

Thanks @Jim LE 1301 im ordering them on Amazon right now

 

Check out my build thread below vvv

 

yeah, I only purchased the 5100's for the front. I left the rear stock. if I were going to lift any higher in the front, I would lift the rear 1". as it sits now, there is a tiny bit of rake. although, it looks perfectly level. I don't have 4 wheel drive, but I think the CV's would be ok with 1.5" of lift (someone can chime in on that). but a front diff drop wouldn't hurt. I think those are $30?
for me, the 5100's, the installation, and the alignment was about $450.

 

5100’s in the front using the middle setting and a Coachbuilder shim each side, no rear mod is about the same level profile as a Pro (which is 2” higher in the front).

David from CB will recommend bumpstop extensions if you use his shims.

5100’s are a bit stiff though and you’ll definitely feel it at top setting.

You might want rake if you tow or haul.

 

@JoshuaA i don’t tow or haul and don’t plan to. But I am very ignorant when it comes to suspension I’ve rebuilt and engine but I’ve never touched anything suspension related lol. So I have no idea what those shims are you mentions or what they assist with do they provide additional lift?

 

cb shim is placed on top of the coil over. it is .25" thick and increases height about .5". Tundras have a driver side lean because of the gas tank, you, and the battery on the same side. I took measurements on my truck, and it was .5" lower on the driver side. which is why I did 1 cb shim on the driver side and none on the passenger side.


https://shop-coachbuilder.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/coachbuilder-strut-
coilover-shim-provides-50-of-lift

 

@Faht Nocker do I need two or is this just for the driver side issue? And thanks everyone for answering these simple questions I should already know the answer to

 

it really comes down to what you are trying to do as far as offset, tire size, and many other variables. The best thing to do is to contact @Coachbuilder1 or Darren @BOSS4x4s and tell them your goals.

 

Instead of top setting, middle setting will offer better preload ride. Middle is 1.57” + .5” shim = ~2” for leveling height. There’s a possibility of driver’s side lean as noted above. Measure what you are now from the ground to top of wheel well all 4. Some people add an extra shim to the driver’s side, some don’t.

 

I went through all this in my build thread. Hopefully your questions will be answered.

 

@r1-superstar yes thankyou I only ordered two shims looks like I will have to order a third one I just checked my drivers side and is sits approximately .5 lower than the passenger

 

I’m still Tempted to only put one on the driver side instead of buying an additional is the lean more noticeable after the strut install?

 

Did you go through Darren @BOSS4x4s ? He has the best pricing. As for the shims, yeah, half an inch is pretty noticeable.

 

I did not I just purchased them through boss 4X4 at $19 plus shipping

 

Through everyone's advice I ended up purchasing the following: 2 Bilstein 5100s, 3 coachbuilder shims (1 ps, 2 DS), and the differential drop kit. If I'm missing anything please let me know guys, I would like to do this all in one run to the shop.

 

that would be everything for lifting. however, the shims are optional. I didn't need to use them to match the left to right height. what is your goal for the lift height? 1.5", 2.0", 2.25", 2.5" or?

using shims can cause the same issues as using spacers. if you are not careful, you can bottom out the shock which will destroy it. if you use shims, do not jump your truck or slam it hard off-road. you may also want to consider bump stop spacers so that you do not bottom out the shock.

 

2.0 is my goal on the drivers side apparently 1.5 or near there is my goal on the passenger side I just want an almost level truck on both the driver and passenger side

 

is your drivers side currently 0.5" lower than your passenger side? did you measure (fender to ground) on level ground?

 

I measured it in the garage

 

Sounds like you have it all. Set your 5100s to the middle setting, install two shims on the driver's side and one on the passenger's side and call it good!. Post pics!

 

@r1-superstar Will do!

 

Here’s the finished product

 

Middle setting with two shims on driver side one on passenger it has about a half inch to 3/4 in rake

 

Looks good! Love the black