Level Kit vs Bilstein Front Shocks?

This can be overwhelming for sure. There is new place here in Brownsburg,Indy Pro Trucks. I popped in and said hello. Told Scott I wanted a 3/1 LL and a good ride (no off roading on purpose). He suggested the Fox Adventure 2.0 over the Bilstiens. Installed out the door for under 1k. I think it's good and as much as anything I'm building a relationship w a local shop. "Small Business Saturday" here in local Indiana

 

I have heard that the 1.9" setting (middle one) gives you a level ride and the highest will give you a little bro lean. I am curious myself because if I do not get a Pro then I will be getting some 6112s for the SR5 that I buy.

 

--Feel free to use me as your guinea pig. My 6112's were shipped yesterday. I have 5100's on the way for the rear. I am using Toytec shackles that have a 1" or 1.5" lift option for the rear. The max raised height for the Bilstein 5100 rears is 1", so I will set the shackles at the 1" setting. 6112's will be at max height. Someone asked earlier if the 5100 rears will raise the truck any---answer is no and why I'll be adding the 1" shackles. I will post pictures of it in a week or two when I'm done because the Bilstein 5100 vs 6112 vs. OME conversation has been stout as of late.
--STIFF ASS RIDE-- I hate a super stiff ride and EVERYONE I talked to (mechanics and vendors) said the OME ride is VERY stiff due to the springs. My last Tundra was a 2010 TRD package and that truck bucked on the highway like a drunk **** date here in Colorado (I-25). As much as I spend time off road it was a really annoying while in town. Then I tried to save money and did a Toytec spacer level kit. It looked amazing but the ride got even worse!
--Why I went 6112-- The shock is beefier than the 5100's/ The kit has new springs rated at 650lbs. I talked with a gentleman that specializes in Toyota's and has a TON of level and lift kits on Tundras. He told me that if you max out the height on the 5100's up front he has to compress the spring more to fit it which equals a stiff ride up front. NOT AN OPTION for me. That being said, if I was choosing between spacer level kit and 5100 shock leveling I would go 5100's to level ALL THE WAY!!! It's minimally more expensive and doesn't stress all of the moving parts up front.
--COMFORT-- I will be towing a travel trailer all over the fricken place with my family in the truck so I need it to ride smooth. And when we get to our destination and plant the trailer it is adventure time in the back country off the beaten path.
--Why not 5160's for the rear?-- Because they cost 100$ more per shock. Unless you are doing serious rock crawling why would anyone need an extra reservoir? The 5100's are already an upgrade from stock and TRD bilsteins.

----Just my Opinion---- P.S. TUNDRAS.COM IS LIKE CRACK!!!!

 

Couldn't have said it better. This is the same route that I am going as well. Thanks for the write up. I just ordered the same setup last night.

 

I am looking for the same thing "fly'n family". looking for level look on my platinum and very nice ride. Will do occasional dirt road but nothing like i did with my 1982 SR5 back in the day. I am pretty sure I am going with the 6112s up frot and 5100 in rear. Just saving up some cash. I did see a TRD pro set of shocks brand new on the for sale page here on the site.....real good price compared to new off internet

 

Comparing prices: 5100s are about $210/pair and the 6112s are over $600/pair!! I know the 6112s come with new springs but man...for leveling on a budget, and little off-roading, how does one justify the cost difference?

 

Hold each in one hand and you may understand.

You have a better spring and a shock that is close to twice the size. It is comparable to upgrading from a Fox 2.0 to a Fox 2.5. The ride difference is probably night and day.

Why would anyone do a full coilover over a 5100? Most of these trucks are pavement riders.

 

-You are Absolutely right! I am able to spend the extra money but it took me two weeks to decide not to go with 5100's all the way around! The 5100 set up, for the money, is the way to go for leveling on a budget/ I bought an older 2008 with 93,000 miles on it after my last truck got totaled. So I wanted to replace the Springs anyway. Had I bought a newer vehicle I would have gone with 5100's and been fine with a firmer ride for the money I saved/ I'm also buying an ARB bumper and winch for hunting season and with that extra weight I need more support up front

 

I def understand that the 6112s are a huge upgrade to the 5100s. BUT I think I'll go the 5100 route. I have a tough time justifying in my mind replacing fronts that only have ~50k miles on them. I'm OK with my current ride and the 5100s will be an upgrade in ride quality as well as give me the leveling I'm looking for. For the occasional drive at the farm to get firewood or go hunting I'm sure they will be fine.

 

You'll absolutely be fine 5100s. That's the beauty of our trucks, lots of suspension options and you get to select one tailored to meet your specific demands. The hardest part is deciding what to buy. Kid in a Candy store!

 

Love my OME setup.

 

I put the Coachbuilder 3" shackles in the rear for lift of approx 1 3/4". Should I replace the factory shocks in the rear? If so, with what? Thanks in advance.

 

I checked with a few 4wd speciality shops regarding Leveling options and prices. Way too pricey. Average quote for just level kit with alignment ~$465. Bilstein all around with alignment $999.

I ordered Bilstein 5100 set $352 Amazon prime. Local shop placed them for $180 after initial quote of $250. Alignment $50.12.

Definitely pays to slow down and shop around.

 

I know who you're talking about. They pissed me off!! I put 3" BDS spacers in front and 3" Coachworks shackles in rear. If you want to see it in person, I'm 5 mins from you!

 

Any update on the ride Juice? How do you like them? I see the Bilstein 6112's are on sale right now for $599 and think I should own a pair... also, looking to do the 5100 rears as well.

 

Where did you find that price?!!! I LOVE THE 6112's!!! Absolutely AMAZING ride quality! WORTH EVERY PENNY!!! Don't even hesitate at that price, it's a steal!! Please let me know if you have seen that price online because I need a new set..........my truck got totalled 3 weeks ago when someone hit me and I had only had the lift on for like 2 months.......I will be posting that in a different thread!

 

https://bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyo...-6112-series-kit-for-2007-2015-toyota-tundra/

 

I have a 17 crewmax but I can't imagine these would be any different setup than the 2015 models...

 

Holy crap that is a smoking deal...... and it is hard to find a deal on that set up! I would definitely call the seller and or the local shop where you plan to have the install done to ensure it would fit your truck.......the 2017 looks identical to the 2015 ....buuuuuut.....who knows if Toyota made some minor changes? ALSO! DON'T BUY 5100's FOR THE REAR!!!! I ordered 5100's for the rear and when they came they just looked shity and cheap.....some would tell you to stick with the same manufacture for both front and rear suspension but that is not the case here. I did the 6112 kit up front and the ARB OLD MAN EMU shocks on the rear. The OME shocks were like 10-20$ more a piece than the 5100 and the ride quality was RIDICULOUS! The smoothest set up I've ever driven. You can run the ARB at stock height if you want and they are great.....buuuuuuut, they also allow more travel than the 5100's. ARB OME's allow up to 2.5" of lift height for the rear.....5100's only allow 1" of lift. In addition I saw WAY to many complaints from people who had their 5100's end up leaking etc etc blah blah blah......I'm sure those shocks were just lemons but for 10-20$ more The ARB OME rears don't have any of those complaints and AGAIN the ride quality is amazing. I just bought a used Tundra with 5100's in the rear and they FU**ING SUCK! Ride quality on 5100's is SHITE and I will argue with anyone who has driven on both as I have. I just bought the ARB OME's from Toytec because my install was done close to their office...... You may find them cheaper online.....

 

Ordered the 6112's... can't seem to locate the Rear ARB/OME shocks you mentioned though... Got a link?

 

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com...trocharger-Sport-shocks-07-Tundra_p_1042.html

That price is for the pair..........If you are looking to save even more money carid.com will match the price and the shipping would be free........ Great guys at toytec though, so if you are in Colorado you could just pick it up from them/ Enjoy!!!

 

So, I’m going to need 4 5100s to level out my Tundra? I’m reading some use 4 and some use 2.
I’m a bit Confused.

 

Welcome Neville 78, and no u do not need 4..

 

Only need fronts to level. Rears are just to upgrade shocks and have no impact on ride height.

 

So If I go with 5100's on the front, middle setting, do I need to add the diff drop or just get an alignment and roll with it?

 

I just put the 5100's up front and back, with a rear leaf spring that gives an additional 1"-1.5" of lift. I have a camper shell on the back and that is why I went with the addition of the leaf spring. You can just do the 2 up front at middle setting (and alignment) and be done with it. It will serve your purpose of leveling. However it might be prudent to go with them in the rear as well to have an overall better performance/feel/handling of the truck. No differential drop is necessary or anything else. If you went to a 4" lift, you would most likely be looking at the differential drop.

 

Awesome. Thanks so much for the info! Just ordered my 18mm offset wheels and tires. excited to have my truck look like I've always wanted it to.

 

you bet. enjoy that 'new' ride!

 

From what I've read, I don't think so. The middle setting will bring you up 1.57", and anything less than 3" shouldn't require the diff drop.

 

So top setting of 5100 with stock springs and stock rear end will give bro lean? Or dead level? I was thinking of the middle setting as i do tow and haul. I want a bit of rake if possible.