1st Gen owner looking for Bilstein 5100 advice

Hey Everyone!

New to the community and can use some of your advice and expertise!

I have a 2005 Tundra SR5 extended cab 2 wheel drive with 148k on the odometer. It's time for new shocks/struts and was thinking about going with the Bilstein 5100 adjustable in front and matching 5100's in the rear. I'd like to level the front just a hair under level. Does anyone have experience with these and how they effect the overall ride? Concerned about stiffness and if these would help with body roll at all. A input would be appreciated!

 

I run bilstein 5100s with 2nd gen Tacoma lift springs.. it would sit a little to high for you, but the billies out back and up front drive Really nice. im sure stock springs on the bilsteins on the 2nd notch would sit where you want and drive wonderfully.. as for sway it should help a little. but springs would affect that more.

 

Thank for the input. I can always add a away bar after shocks!

 

Thanks for the input Dan. I appreciate your feedback!

 

Can't speak to the 5100s (lots of threads on this forum about those), but I am liking the Bluesteel Mica...nice!

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I have non adjustable 5100’s on my rears and adjustable on the front set to the 2nd notch to near level, original springs. Night and day improvement on ride with minimal sway when turning. Can’t go wrong with that setup.

 

I have the 5100's front and rear (on my second set up front) at the 4th notch. It set the truck slightly above level originally, but now I fear my rear springs have begun to sag so it sits up more in the front now. They do not recommend putting them on the 4th or 5th notch for the AC. I have the TRD springs which are different than the normal springs so results may vary for you. The ride is stiffer than stock, which i like, and the shocks have much better dampening control than the KYB's that were on there. To be fair, the KYB's were likely worn out. I have mine on the 4th notch for greater lift and more clearance for the tires. I have 265/75/16 tires on 8" wide wheels with 1.25" spacers, so they stick out a little farther and have a wider scrub radius. I have not tried them on the second notch, which I believe is the max recommended for AC, and I have not tried them with the non-TRD springs.
I have had this setup for about 125k miles.
The spacers have not given me any problems.
The first set of 5100's up front lasted about 70k miles and the right front shock shaft seal went out and started leaking oil. It was a noticeable difference in control and dampening.
The outboard CV boots on both factory driveshafts went bad at different times, looked more like dry rot than separation due to lift, but the additional angle likely made them tear earlier than they would have. I replaced them with CV axles from Advanced Auto, not sure the brand, but the new ones are much thicker diameter shafts than factory and have the larger boots on them already.
I still have the first set of 5100's on the rear, and still seem to be behaving well. No excessive bounce or squirminess, very controlled back there. Likely need to be replaced soon due to age, although if it ain't broke...

 

Thanks for the input Joe, I think this is the way I'm going to go!

 

Thanks for the detailed response! I'll make sure to talk to the shop about the CV boots. I/m going to have them look at the upper ball joints at the same time.

 

Offroad Solutions High Angle boots; check them out

 

This was fantastic reading for a guy like me. Several parts on order.
@Skyride56 The more positive things I hear the better I feel about all my purchases lately.

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@KNABORES excellent write up.

 

Awesome truck, I love that blue. I’m about to install some 5100’s on mine and use the second notch because I’m going to carry tools in the back so I’d like to still have a slight rake from rear to front. I have a 4x2 TRD with only an access bed cover. From research I’ve done here and knowing that @Professional Hand Model went with 1 notch above stock setting. If I remember the post, his front measurement was around 21.5. I’m good with that.

 

Yeah I went one notch up from stock because my thinking was it might offset any spring sag from 16 years of use. Truck still has what looks like OEM good forward rake which I like. Rear raised a little bit for some reason and not sure how much because I did not measure before all the work was done. If I was to guess I’d say a 1/4”. Basically, my rake looks the same as before the work was done.

@Darkness has a measurement thread here somewhere with pics and everyones measurements for eyeball comparisons.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/how-big-is-yours-measure-up.46186/

 

Tagged. On my to do list.

 

Welcome from Santa Barbara!

Nice Tundra! That is probably one of my favorite stock color options. I also dig the color matching camper shell with the large windows.

I installed 5100s all around while maintaining the stock front springs. You can read more here: https://www.tundras.com/threads/best-1stgen-leveling-kit-for-on-off-road.78873/#post-2022743
Hope I can help answer any questions you may have!

 

I want to know how you kept the paint so nice in the Az sun?