No Gains After Adding 5100's, What Gives?

A while back I installed some 5100's all-round on my 2008 Tundra. The old shocks are only what I can assume to be the 4600's. Threw the new ones on, and thought nothing of it. Two things I noticed recently. 1.) The outside edge of my front tires have 0 tread left. I mean none. 2.) I don't think I actually gained height. I can't recall the height before, but my center hub to fender distance is 23". I read on Bilstein's site that the 5100's don't work with the TRD springs. Do I have the wrong springs? Is something busted? I know for fact the clips are on the highest setting as well.

 

Did you get a wheel alignment after installing the shocks?

 

That's a big fat nope, and was something that popped into my head on the last rotation when I noticed the bad wear pattern. Shame on me.

 

Trust me, I've slapped myself in the face a few dozen times already. Aside from that, is there anything wrong with the height?

 

Can you take a picture of the shocks.

 

Maybe the "cup" was put on upside down?

 

Jim for the win. After the alignment, which is essential after any front end work for the most part, check into what setting your ride height is set to on the shocks themselves. Check out the notches in relation to ride height below and see where yours are set. Also check the orientation of the cup.

For reference, here is what my truck looked like at top setting with my first set of 5100s with various tires over the years

295/70/18



315/70/17


35x12.5x17

 

Oh, forgot to attach this guy

 

9

This is of the driver side...

 

Looks like .85" of lift. Count the rings showing under the cup, I only see one in the picture

 

Ditto

 

I can without any doubt say that it's in the top spot. Is it possible that these are the wrong shocks?

 

Not doubting you man, but it's worth checking at the vehicle itself, on both sides. I can only see 1 notch showing below the cup in this picture, but it could be the angle

 

Didn't mean to be rude. The shock has three notches, and there are no visible notches above the cup, and I count two before the ring from the bottom.

 

Looks like you are only at 1.75 of lift with only 2 notches visible. You should see 3 for max lift.

 

@Brad1895, moving up to 5100's from the TRD 4600's aside from height gain, performance gain would be hard to notice. Now 6112's would definitely change the ride.

 

I'm either a moron, or I have different shocks. I can only see three different adjustment settings. My instructions also look different. They are listed with a y337a02 instead of what you showed. The diagram only has thrreally settings.

 

The knowledge, experience and willingness to help your fellow Tundra guys is why I love this site .

 

Could they be sequoia 5100s? The ones I installed on my wife's sequoia only had 3 slots. Top slot is 2.5", but if the overall body is shorter that might be why.

 

Can you tell me the part number on the shock? I'm thinking this could be the case. Another thing to note is that the ride quality was not stiffer as some said the top setting could cause.

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure the 5100s only have three height settings. The 6112s have four.

 

^^This picture is not 5100. They show 4 slots; 5100 only have 3 slots. OP seems to be right about having his set at the top setting.
OP, there are different lengths of 5100s available - make sure you have the right ones for your year model truck.
For instance the 5100s for the Tundra are 24.210 inches tall while the 5100s for the Tacoma are 22.560 inches tall.

These are the settings for the 5100

 

The 5100 for the Tundra only has 3 notches. At the top setting you lifted the truck without an alignment and that is the cause of the tire wear. The bottom setting is stock height.

Side note I have an 08 as well with the 4600’s. Did you get it level with the top perch setting or was it a bit nose high? I’m going to pull the trigger on 5100’s soon and debating between the middle and top setting. I want it to appear level but it can still be a little rear high if the middle gets me there

 

Do you think I would appear level if I did the middle setting and not the top? Your truck seems ever so slightly nose high

 

Sounds like you've gotten more info, but fwiw here's the shock number for the sequoia.

Bilstein 24-239387 Shock Absorber
Collapsed Length (IN): 17.76, Extended Length (IN): 24.32

 

Good catch...I missed that. I just reposted it from earlier in the thread in case it was missed. Nothing better than a learning opportunity

 

Well, as far as I can tell, they are the correct ones. Part # is

$140 24-232173 Single 5100 Series Ride Height Adjustable Front Monotube Shock fits 2007 2021 Tundra 4WD - Provides 0.875-2.3" Front Lift

24-232173. I have no idea at this point. Might be that the springs are shot at 180K.

 

@Brad1895, you are more than likely correct. When I had my TRD 4600's on, the measurements from driver/ passenger were 5/8" difference. Mechanic said probably spring sagging. Decided to do full coilovers after that.