5100's + OME 885's using stock UCA's?

Hey all, I've been doing research reading a bunch of threads including work from @Dave8699 and @empty_lord but can't find exactly what I'm looking for.

Can I get away with OME 885's with 5100's on bottom clip while using stock UCA's?

My hope is to replace the 1.5" spacer that came on the truck and maybe get an extra .5" along with a better ride. In lieu of just using stock spring and 5100's on 4th clip. I may eventually get aftermarket UCA's but it's not in the cards right now.

Any issues I may run into? premature wearing of BJ's? inability to get a good alignment?

 

OME lift coils typically run high, by .25 to .5 inch after settling. Not sure how they will work with a adjustable/raised clip setting since the coils are heavier dutys (at least 10% even on their light coils and may be longer than stock). If you are going to use 5100s, those are designed for stock height and load rated coils, the height adjustment comes from the clip setting. Check out Eibach for stock replacement coils, which are good quality and not expensive.

Other than that, is there a reason you dont want to run the full OME coilovers and shocks (if they are available for your truck) vs trying to adapt 5100s using OME springs?

Here is the full OME kit for your truck and more offerings for suspension- and this is one with eibach springs I believe and 5100 shocks- no need to cobble anything together, this works together just fine

 

At 2" of lift I think you will be okay with stock arms. I ran coilovers with 3"+ on stock arms for a year. It might make alignment a bit harder to reach but should be possible. If you go for it just keep upper arms on your mind as a backup plan.

That said ome coil lift seems inconsistent and usually higher than advertised

 

You "should" be ok on the DC because of the extra weight

 

Upper may contact the spring? But I’m not sure. Never tried. I will say your alignment won’t be ideal though. The extra 2 degrees of caster from the uppers help keeping larger tires away from firewalls

 

It's hard for me to give my opinion on the UCA snice I switched from the Rancho quick lift which is about 2" lift and ran that for about 5 years with stock UCA but I do tell you the alignment was not ideal and also the UBJ was not in a good position. As of now I'm running the 5100 on 2nd clip with 2885 coils. I'm having an alignment done tomorrow so let's see how it goes.

 

Great feedback guys, thanks!

The main reason for not running a complete kit is cost. I just bought this truck and was only planning on repairing what's needed but upgrading where I can. As an example, the shock bushings are shot so my original plan was to just replace them with 5100's on 4th clip on stock springs which would also let me remove the silly spacer (a win-win). But after doing more browsing and seeing other "build" threads I'm wondering if going one step further by combining 5100's with new OME springs makes sense, so the shocks can be set on 1st clip for a better ride but also give me a bit more lift up front. 1stgenoffroad offers this combo so I don't think it's "cobbled together" per se, but a little more affordable +/-$500 vs $1-2k. I also already bought the 5100's at a cheap price ($220, got 4wheelparts to price match) so I'm looking for ways to use them.

I'm also worried the 1.6" lift Bilstein claims I'll get on the 4th clip isn't accurate and isn't a direct 1-for-1 exchange with the 1.5" spacer. My fear being once installed with the stock springs and spacer removed the front will actually be lower than it currently is, which I DONT want.

I'm totally open to ideas/combos though so I appreciate the input!

 

Go with the 2885 you won't regret it I did alot of research and @empty_lord just confirmed whst everyone says about that combo.

 

Also I would've known a little earlier I might have gone with the Dobinson Coil Spring just because of the color. I believe its the same coil as the 2885

https://www.1stgenoffroad.com/store/p574/DobinsonCoilSpring.html#/

 

So I was prepared to replace upper BJ's today but while jacking the front end up I heard a not-so-nice thunk and, whatya know, the spindle and ball joint are kissing the spring. And not just a peck on the lips kinda kiss. This is at full drop.

So, looks like my original plans are no bueno and I'm gonna have to get new UCA's too.

 

Interesting. I wonder if any combination of lifting coils and shocks require new aftermarket upper control arms for clearance purposes.

 

I want with the JBA UCA and they are nicely built. Also in your picture it looks like there is grease around your inner CV boot. Is the boot ripped?

 

Good question. I only have 1.5” spacer and have this issue. Having seen this on my truck I dont understand how others can have 2” lifts or larger w/o having a similar clash on stock UCA’s. ‍♂️

Yeah, the boot is torn. Thats the axle I’m gonna replace since I dont know how long its been torn or how good the innards are. One more part in the list of repairs haha

JBA’s are def. on the list. How are you liking them? They clear everything okay? No rubbing on back of tire or anything? I also decided today to return the 5100’s I bought and just buy pre-assembled shocks/springs. Bite the bullet and invest in the front end. 1stgenoffroad seems to have nice options for decent prices. They have a 10% off sale on Dobinson springs on 5100’s too but they might be backordered. So much for ballin on a budget. Haha

 

Just a recommendation I just rebuilt all my front end if your removing the drivers CV axle spend $50 and 30 min more and replace the needle bearing so you don't have headaches down the road.


JBA clears everything and no rubbing, did you return the 5100 because you want to go with 5100 pre-assembled already? You might have just stayed with your 5100 and just get coils and new isolators and assemble yourself. It's probably harder to just a pre-assembled kit in-stock then shop around and get all the parts. That is what I did because Noone had everything in stock.

 

I wanna say it because the spacer just shoves the suspension down, whereas 5100s actually increase the size, making everything work together. I'm still learning about suspension, so I could be wrong.

As for the cv boot: engage 4wd on a dirt/gravel/wet road and accelerate while turning. If you don't get a clack clack clack sound your cv joint is good and you can regrease and reboot it.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the needle bearing!

Havent returned the 5100’s yet. I’d be working on the ground with autozone rented spring compressors if I were to assemble myself though. And who knows how many hours. I saw you did it yourself with a few hiccups but you got it done. Id rather pay extra for assembled knowing it was done right with the right tools. But if I cant find anyone who has them in stock I may be forced into doing it myself.

 

So, would you think taking out the spacer and putting in 5100s with new springs would solve the bj/spring problem? And I dont need aftermarket UCA’s? Thats an interesting idea.

 

Probably not gonna work. Both ways move the lower control arm down, which moves the spindle and upper arm down. That's how it achieves lift. Unless your going with less lift, then maybe.


This upper arm contact maybe why the 5100's only recommend certain positions of lift depending on ac/dc and 2wd/4wd.

 

Its possible you'll have a similar problem with the 5100/ome combo, but not as likely. The spacer is moving the whole coul downward(from the top), where a 5100 won't do that. A 5100 would keep the coil where it should be when using the first clip. You'll just have a slightly longer coil with the ome spring.

 

So I ended up getting pre-assembled OME springs on 5100’s from 1stgenoffroad and JBA UCA’s. Received them within a week of ordering! Gonna install them this weekend along with cv axle and axle seals while Im under there.

 

Huh. I didn't know that was possible - how much extra was it to get those pre-assembled?

 

$170. In my opinion well worth the money to have someone do it using the right tools. Came with new top hats and everything. They have other combos too like dobinson springs w/ bilstein.

https://www.1stgenoffroad.com/store/p626/Bilstein5100/OMELift.html#/

 

This is great to know because I’ve been looking into getting the 5100s for my truck very soon.

 

I may do this at some later point. Interested in hearing about ride quality when finished.

 

I bet if you put a new ball joint in there it wouldn’t hit. That looks thrashed as heck.

 

I got everything installed this weekend. Took literally all weekend in my parents driveway (mine is too steep) and man, I’m sore in places I never knew existed. Haha

Anyway, the ride is amazing, night and day, compared to all the clunks and noises from the oe shocks with busted bushings and busted upper bj’s. And bye bye clearance issue. New shocks are 1” shorter but gave an extra 3/4” lift in the front.

Today I had it aligned. It rides straight and the wheel isnt crooked anymore. @Dave8699 @empty_lord do these numbers look good to you? Ive read around that close to 3deg caster is recommended.

 

Those specs look good. I always ask for 0* Camber and as much Caster as possible with being able to account for road crown.

 

Caster being that far off side to side is more than I like to see. Within .2-.3 cross caster personally, when possible.

2.5-2.9 caster seems to be the sweet spot.

 

Here are my numbers I got but yours look good but I would recommend more Caster.

 

Yeah, .5 difference may pull to the left.

The JBA’s should be able to squeeze out some more. I was able to get into the 3’s on my 16’ 4Runner with the JBA’s.