New Tundra - Bilstein lift

I just picked up a 25 TRD off road 6.5' and looking to install the Bilstein 5100s. Eventually I would like to do a TRD lift once they are more readily available in Canada.

For the time being, Is this the best option for ~2" instead any type of spacer lift? I have not done a level/lift and I want to go with the best quality 2" option out there for the longevity of the suspension. Would I also have to do the UCA in addition to this 5100's?

Any advice and opinions are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

"Best quality" is very relative... I would classify 5100s as the most budget-friendly level, definitely not "best quality". With that being said, they may be a perfect fit for what you want to use them for; which is a much better question than "best" anything

The only reason I could see doing the TRD lift is if it comes pre-installed when you buy the truck; for the cost there are plenty of other options on the market

 

Thanks for the advice.

If my budget is under 3k what would you recommend to lift/level 2 inches that would be an alternative to 5100's and is not a spacer lift?

 

Between the user name and saying Canada, I'm assuming you're in BC? If so, I would shy away from anything like King or Icon, given their rebuild timelines... Radflo's seem to hold up well to salted/treated roads and would allow an adjustable ride height.

A more budget friendly option would be something like Dobinsons IMS, which would let you pre-select your spring of choice for any added weight (and be a cost savings over the adjustable coilover style).

With all that being said, there's nothing wrong with 5100s if you want the adjustability in the front ride height and an improvement in ride quality over the TRD-OR 4600s; just don't expect them to have the complacency over hard impacts on/off road or the oil volume/cooling to withstand high speed off road use. There's a give and take in everything; and what 5100s don't achieve in "performance" they make up for in cost, longevity, and ease of use

 

I used the RC 2" N2 leveling struts. OEM everything else (black CVs, OEM non-trd UCA) and have no issues with geometry at all. Sway bar end links were a little sketchy but I bought a swaybar drop bracket and it corrected it. I fit 35x11.5s (on a 17x8.5 +22) with absolutely no rubbing. I did not have to do any modifications to get them to fit. Kept the mudflaps and all.

 

That is good insight on salted roads, you nailed it - yes BC, damn you are smart.

I'll do my research on what you suggested there, appreciate your very detailed response.

Thank you!!

 

I'll look into levelling struts, thanks for the response!

 

Sure thing. The wait time for the TRD lift was too long for me, this was a solution in the meantime. I am also concerned with the salted roads so we shall see how the RCs hold up this winter.

 

If you’re going with the factory lift eventually and want something better than spacer for now, just get the 5100’s. Lots of people run them and love them. Good cheap option. If you want to get fancier then get the 6100’s (comes with springs) for the front. Don’t need uca or anything else for a 2/1 ish lift. other than extended rear brake lines if you’re looking to spend some money

 

Thank you I'll look into this one too!

 

For a few bucks more I would choice the Eibach’s adjustable shocks (same as 5100’s). They simply ride much nicer for a daily driver, especially in the cold.

 

I've got a clean set of TRD Pro's /Fox's coming off my truck shortly - love to find them a good home... they're in great shape/ southern TX truck - about 38k on them. will have the UCA's avail and OEM rear springs as well.

 

I'm sorry, but Rough Country products have not matched the Bilstein products in quality in any Gen of Tundra. I would not hesitate to call the Bilstein option "best quality" amongst all of the available options. Most features? Best for high speed off road? Best on-road? Longest lasting? No shock will ring all of those bells. When you go down the suspension rabbit hole, start with your expected use. If you're not going to be bombing the whoops, rock crawling, or carrying 1500# of overlanding gear at all times, your original Bilstein choice is likely a great option for a great price. The OEM TRD option seems good (maybe too early to tell?), but at more than 10x the price.

 

to add another consideration, some fronts like the Eibach coilovers can be purchased complete, so it becomes an easy swap especially if you are DIY, and then you keep your stock front coilovers complete/on the shelf if you want to swap back later eg selling the vehicle. with the Bilstein 5100's as an example or most spacers, you need to disassemble/reassemble with spring compressor which can sometimes be challenging.

 

Eibachs will be my next purchase. If you purchase the 5100’s, consider ordering a spare. Will make your life easier if you have a failure.

X2 5160 failed, now a 5100 has started to leak. Buyer beware.

 

Just to clarify, I was not saying RC matched the quality of Bilstein. I was addressing his questions related to geometry and the possible need for different UCAs. The RC ones I put in are effectively the same geometry he is getting if he went with Bilstein's (depending on clip setting).

 

I've not run the 5160s, but I've got 100k miles on my 5100 rears. Still feels pretty well sorted back there but will likely replace them anyway due to mileage. No offroad high speed stuff, but some heavy towing and hauling occasionally. I had one of my front 5100s develop a leak at 55k miles or so, the other side was not leaking, but I replaced them both with new 5100s and have about 60k on the current ones.