Talk to me about the transition from spacer blocks to 5100's

2020 Crewmax.
3/2 level kit.
37" BFG KM3's

Trucks drives great and JUST had alignment done when I put 37's on a few weeks ago.
During the alignment, the tech told me my RF (stock Hitachi) shock was blown and leaking.
The level kit uses spacers above the shock mount.

I just ordered a new set of 5100's for all 4 corners and I do not want to have another alignment done. I tack-welded the lower eccentrics so they wouldnt move like they did previously... and really want to duplicate the exact same ride height and comfort.

Should I remove the spacer blocks and use the highest setting on the new shocks ? or should I use the lowest setting and keep the spacers ?
Neither option seems ideal... as the highest shock setting is lower than the 3" level kit and will be stiffer.
The lowest setting will be slightly higher and slightly stiffer... which may be acceptable... but will likely screwup the alignment.

Any thoughts or ideas ???

 

I’m five different front suspension setups under 2” of lift that I’ve installed on my truck in 10 years, they have yet to move the eccentrics on my alignment. I’ve had it aligned/checked with every suspension change, and at least once a year.

I would think that if you set them on the top perch, you should be just fine.

 

5100s on top setting will ride way better than stock shocks on spacers .

 

Im concerned about the ride height too.

 

My alignment that was done 3 years ago with the 35's drifted away to the point the RF tire was noticably cambered out and eventually munched the tire.
I wasnt going to chew up a new set of 37's so I tacked all the eccentrics in place after the alignment a few weeks ago.
Obviously I can cut the welds and have it realigned but im trying my best to avoid that if possible.

 

I would probably go with 5100s and some coach builder shims , if you want 3 inches . I got about 2.5 out of 5100s. Don’t use spacer on top of 5100s at lowest setting as that will be higher than 3 and might need UCAs at that point and out more stress on the truck.

 

Sounds like fun… I was just pointing out that as long as you don’t change the lift height by much, your alignment should stick pretty close. I never loosened the lower control arm bolts to change suspensions; I unbolt the two bolts for the lower ball joint to spindle to avoid messing with the eccentrics.

 

Yeah ive never touched mine either.
The alignment tech at the Toyota dealership was the last guy to put a wrench on them and apparently didnt lock them down tight enough.

 

Yeah that was my concern... since it says the lowest setting is still +7/8"... which would put me past the 3" its at now.

 

I just ordered two Coachbuilder shims for +1/2" lift.
Combining these with the 2.5" top setting should put me exactly where i need to be at 3".
Hopefully it doesnt ride too firm but at least it should maintain current lift and alignment.

Thanks guys !

 

Just to update this thread, I ordered a set of Eibach +2.5 springs and will be using them with the clip in the lowest groove on the 5100's. This should put me around 3".

Not sure if I should stuff a 1/2" (1/4") coachbuilder shim on drivers side or not. Hoping to get it right the first time and not need to disassemble a 2nd or 3rd time. lol

 

Rears arrived today so I slapped those on quick...
I very much like the fact that these are taller shocks and wont need extensions threaded on to them like my factory units.

For anyone that stumbles on to this thread in the future... here are the part numbers for what I ordered:

Front Bilstein 5100's:

$142 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
Rear Bilstein 5100's for 2" lift: 24-286244
Eibach +2.5" front springs: E30-82-079-01-20

The springs will be installed on the lowest clip setting and should put me around 3" of lift to match the spacer blocks coming out.

 

Got everything together tonight and im super happy with it.
The "Tundra lean" is a real thing... so I had to put a 1/4" spacer on the drivers side. Of course the Coachbuilder shims I ordered still havent arrived... while everything else did... so I had to make my own from one of the old spacer blocks.
The front end is within 1/8" from side to side now.
When all was done... I was able to maintain my 3" of lift and actually gained approx 1/2" measured at the fender. Im sure once the springs settle in it will be spot-on.

Front to rear rake is about 1/2".

A few pics to chew on:

 

Your uca angles are super steep. Get some good upper control arms and your truck will ride/steer better

 

I have a pair sitting under the workbench. Just havent put them on yet. That will likely be a project for next week. lol

The pics were taken while suspension was hanging completely free. Its not nearly that bad when its on the ground.

 

After a bunch of driving last night and rough bumps... looks like the front end has settled about 1/4"... so Im almost exactly where I was with the 3" leveling kit.

Very happy with the amazingly better ride and overall results. It feels almost as plush as the stock springs I took off, but road feel and stability is improved to a point I cannot describe.
I have $225 into the springs and $500 into all 4 Bilstein 5100's and couldnt be happier.

 

Grab these at some point.

 

Thanks! I had looked at those but I already tack-welded all the cam eccentrics so they stay put after the last alignment and are easily ground off.
My previous alignment came loose and wiped the RF tire.