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2004 Double Cab 4x4 Level kit With Bilsteins

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by 2003rang, Jan 7, 2020.

  1. Jan 7, 2020 at 7:17 AM
    #1
    2003rang

    2003rang [OP] New Member

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    Guys bought a 2004 Double Cab 4x4 Tundra for my 16 year old son. I am wanting to do a level kit with the Bilsteins. My question is will the top notch level it or will it be to high in the front. His truck know is 2 3/4 to 3 inches lower than the back. The Bilsteins are supposed to give 2.5 at highest setting but just wanted to get some feed back. Thanks for all the help.
     
    abcinv likes this.
  2. Jan 7, 2020 at 7:29 AM
    #2
    kodyquist21

    kodyquist21 stay low, stay frosty

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    When i bought my truck, the front was 3" lower than the back. I installed a leveling kit from rough country and now the front sits .25" higher than the back, but its not even noticeable. If anything, i'd rather have it higher in the front than the back.
     
  3. Jan 7, 2020 at 7:37 AM
    #3
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    1st are you 100% certain you have the stock springs? Because the Monroe aftermarket springs will not fit 5100's.
    2nd at 2.5" be aware that you may need to add UCAs to get the alignment in spec and a diff drop.

    If the 1st is unknown, look at Toytec for the OME or Eibach coilovers.
    I don't believe Bilstein recommends the 5th setting because of point 2 above and how harsh the ride would be.
     
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  4. Jan 7, 2020 at 8:04 AM
    #4
    2003rang

    2003rang [OP] New Member

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    100% does have stock springs. Bought truck from a guy I work with so it is stock. Bilstein told me if I go with the top setting it may possibly hit the knuckle in off road condition. This will be 99% drove on the road. This is all new to me as I drive big diesel trucks and no lifts so a lot of this is like a foreign language. Will the fourth notch give me enough room to run a 20x10 -18 offset and a 33x12.50 or a 285x60x20 tire. This is what he is wanting to do.
     
  5. Jan 7, 2020 at 8:07 AM
    #5
    speedtre

    speedtre New Member

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    What he said above...I had the full 5100 pre-load lift in my 2002 Tundra AC, and the front end was overly harsh. For the 2004 DC you won't get 2.5, but it may not be as harsh either...

    upload_2020-1-7_11-7-41.jpg
     
  6. Jan 7, 2020 at 8:37 AM
    #6
    speedtre

    speedtre New Member

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    I don't know if it will fit or not for sure, but this will give you an idea of how much difference it is...

    upload_2020-1-7_11-13-7.jpg
     
    revtune likes this.
  7. Jan 7, 2020 at 9:43 AM
    #7
    2003rang

    2003rang [OP] New Member

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  8. Jan 7, 2020 at 10:55 AM
    #8
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    Good deal, just be aware that you may still need to do the UCAs. You really won't know until the coilovers are on and get it on an alignment rack. You want the caster as high as it can be with the camber in spec, pick a good shop because they'll just try to get everything "in the green" and it'll drive like crap. Even then on stock arms and caster maxed out you may notice some tire wear, for a street truck the SPC/Eibach UCAs are a good product.
     
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  9. Jan 7, 2020 at 12:21 PM
    #9
    2003rang

    2003rang [OP] New Member

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    How expensive are the UCAs? And what is the usual charge to put them on if you don't mine me asking.
     
  10. Jan 7, 2020 at 12:46 PM
    #10
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    Between $5-900 depending on what style you get. SPC with ball joints are the lower end of that, Total Chaos Uniball at the upper.

    I'd expect a shop would likely charge 1.5-2 hours of labor. They aren't very difficult to DIY, I did mine in about 1.5 in the driveway. Getting the old ball joint out can be the hardest part.
     
  11. Jan 7, 2020 at 12:56 PM
    #11
    Bulldog_tundra

    Bulldog_tundra New Member

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    Bilstein 5100 (Top Notch Front) 1” Rear Block Flowmaster 40 w/ 3” Tip Bumperplugs Front Plate Delete
    Coming from a diesel to an ‘06 DC, to me top notch Bilstein’s do not ride harsh. I’ve ran the top notch on both an access and now double cab, both rode great IMO. If comparing them to $1K coil overs, sure, I get that, but for a truck that’s going to be on the road 99% of the time, I wouldn’t spend what it would take to start doing UCA’s and coil overs. Just my $0.02.

    And mine needed a 1” block in the rear to level it. Best bet is to put the front on and then see what you need in the rear, depending on stock suspension sag, every truck is slightly different.

    Most guys run 285/70/17 or 285/75/16 with minimal, if any, fitment issues. I’d check a tire size calculator and see the difference. Offset will play a big factor on if or where you might getting rubbing.

    Good luck, your son is lucky! 16 year old me mowed lawns and painted fences to buy a $3K ‘89 Cressida haha
     
  12. Jan 7, 2020 at 1:44 PM
    #12
    revtune

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    2006 Tundra: Stock air intake 3 inch catback Magnaflow 13742 2.5 inch front lift 1.5 inch rear blocks 2014 sr5 4Runner wheels (17x7) 1.5 inch hub centric wheel spacers p285/70/17 Nitto Terra Grappler G2 Weathertech floor liners
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2020
  13. Jan 7, 2020 at 1:57 PM
    #13
    revtune

    revtune New Member

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  14. Jan 7, 2020 at 2:03 PM
    #14
    SouthWestGA

    SouthWestGA New Member

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    I have a 2006 Tundra

    I installed a front and rear leveling kit on my truck

    I would not advise it,unless you have the upper control arms for the front

    You’ll just be wearing out tires and fighting issues. Spacers suck compared to true suspension I don’t care what people say.

    Just put new stock suspension on it if needed,leave it bone stock and ride till it dies or someone kills it
     
  15. Jan 7, 2020 at 3:27 PM
    #15
    revtune

    revtune New Member

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  16. Jan 7, 2020 at 3:48 PM
    #16
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Billy shocks are reported rough riders at top notch. Many here report this fact.

    Best at stock height install.
     
  17. Jan 9, 2020 at 9:07 PM
    #17
    beretdra

    beretdra New Member

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    So which is better shocks just for stock 06 Double cab 4600 or 5100? Please advice.
     
  18. Jan 10, 2020 at 3:29 AM
    #18
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    4600 is a great choice for stock.
     
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  19. Jan 16, 2020 at 7:12 PM
    #19
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Depends.

    5100 are nice for street driving/towing/hauling. Firm and sporty.

    4600 work fine, as well. They were OEM on our trucks when new. Its been so long that its hard to remember how they rode, but the 5100 get the nod for street driving for stated reasons above.
     
    beretdra[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Jan 16, 2020 at 8:26 PM
    #20
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    I wonder if it's a spring issue that's making these feel harsh at the top setting or if it's the lack of down travel. When you have little to no down travel, you really feel the bumps twice. One time when your suspension stops moving down and once more when your tire falls into the bump. Lack of down travel at ride height can make for a bumpy ride.
     
  21. Jan 16, 2020 at 9:42 PM
    #21
    02goes

    02goes New Member

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    So where am I going to end up guys, what's your experience or have heard using grooves to realistically being vs what mfg states?

    On a 2002 Access Cab 4x4 the directions say to use #3 groove (center groove) for 1.1 inch front lift raise, and any higher = Do Not Use.
    I'm OK with a 1.1 inch front end lift raise. Will #3 groove level the trk or leave the front 1 or 1.5 inch lower than the rear?

    Don't want to level the trk due to when pulling a boat the front end will become higher than the rear, and that's not right.
     
  22. Jan 17, 2020 at 4:19 AM
    #22
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Not sure what number groove mine is set, but can tell you its the groove one setting up from stock height. Truck still has a nice forward rake. See my build page for pics.

    Any higher, and based on all the past ‘cool bro leveler’ guys opinions, and you’ll be in upper molar shattering mode on the road.
     
    02goes[QUOTED] likes this.
  23. Jan 17, 2020 at 4:25 AM
    #23
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Not sure as I am not a suspension expert and like my truck not lifted, as personal preference.

    So many threads on different shocks and as a general rule it seems there is nothing perfect. Also, it seems there is no middle ground in terms of spending. Its all in $ OR you go Billy Bobs.
     
    KarmaKannon[QUOTED] likes this.
  24. Jan 24, 2020 at 8:11 PM
    #24
    beretdra

    beretdra New Member

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    Thank you FesterW and Professional Hand Model. How about the fuel type that you guys use. Do you do 91 octane or just the 87 octane?
     
  25. Jan 25, 2020 at 4:38 AM
    #25
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    87 for life. I think maybe she has had a few tanks of higher octane in the earlier years, but never noticed much difference. Spec is 87. We have 10% ethanol here.
     
  26. Jan 25, 2020 at 5:05 AM
    #26
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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  27. Jan 25, 2020 at 9:27 AM
    #27
    beretdra

    beretdra New Member

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    Thank you Professional and Festerw.
     
  28. Jan 25, 2020 at 6:31 PM
    #28
    Mickk

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    I just came from stock springs with 5100's on the 4th clip on a 04 double cab and it was just a hair over leveled but I didn't like how the stock springs felt so I went with Dobinsons springs, ride is much better.
     
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  29. Mar 21, 2020 at 11:00 AM
    #29
    Ge-Minigun

    Ge-Minigun New Member

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    This seems like the best thread to put this in as I’m looking for new shocks for my 04 DC. With that said the only off roading it sees is fire service roads and nothing else…99.99% of the time it’s on pavement, so. I would like to level the front, however I need some extra weight capacity in the rear…I have a 5x10 dump trailer that I use a lot and current (factory) suspension has the rear sagging when the trailer is loaded to capacity (8k lbs). I’m partial to the Bilsteins as I’ve had them on other vehicles in the past. So with all that said which ones do I need and what setting for the front? Also what is recommended for the rear? Thanks for the help.
     
  30. Mar 21, 2020 at 8:38 PM
    #30
    noahrexion

    noahrexion New Member

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    4600 and 5100 are essentially the same - 5100 is adjustable so get those if you want to raise the front that way.

    If you're hauling a 5x10 dump that weighs 8k than you're most definitely overextending your tundra by a good amount. If you're towing it properly and running at least 10% tongue weight, meaning you're in the neighborhood of 800lbs than you're most definitely putting a lot o' stress on the shitty rear leafs we all have. If its not always towing you might consider airbags. If you're always towing than you might want to consider stronger leafs.

    On the other hand, you might want to get a 3/4 ton Merican' ride and throw the cash into that that you'd otherwise spend on suspension work for the 04'.
     

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