5100 Bilstein Setting

After a few days and a 500 mile road trip on the 5100’s, top setting. Here’s what I know.

-the truck aligned fine with stock UCAs. Drives straight as an arrow and KO2s are smooth on the highway at 75-80mph.
-the front end has settled already and is level on passenger side but driver side is lower due to the lean.
-ride: much former than the stock TRd yellow Billy’s. Not bad, just firm. MPG dropped about 1-1.5mph on the highway with the taller front end. Got 15.9-16mpg at 75mph on the way home yesterday. That route typically yields 17-17.5mpg. I drive it a few times a month so am pretty entune with how the truck performs.
-my trip is from Atlanta to the mtns of Brevard, NC, so lots of curvy and steep Mtn roads. The truck holds the road in the curves significantly better than stock. Noticeably so such that you can take curves way faster than a truck this big should be able to run.
-stock Tundra brakes suck for Mtn road driving. They overheat and fade way too fast. My next investment will be slotted front rotors and better pads.

Back to the ride... it’s firm. Firm enough that for ME, I think it will be worth opening back up the front end and dropping from the top setting to the middle. At the same time adding a @Coachbuilder1 shim, maybe two on driver’s side, and one passenger to fix the lean and give me some lift height between the first and second setting.

My plan is to order up some shims and do this over the Holiday weekend. Will report back!

PS, rear is stock height yellow Billy’s.

 

So you went top front with stock rear? Is it nose high?

 

2002 Tundra SR5 TRD 4x4 on 285/75/r16. Billy 5100 installed back in July on all 4 corners. Front set at one (1) notch up from stock bottom. Did not do measurements so this is an approximate observation that the front rose 1/2” and (get this) the rear rose 1/2” also! I know this because my trailer hitch needs an additional crank higher to couple up.

Anyway, the ride is definitely firm and sporty. Tows/hauls very nicely. Its a different truck. Overall very pleased.

Side note that I reconnected the front sway bar and had new ball joints and lower control arms installed at the same time as shocks. New cam bolts with the high dollar front alignment has everything lined up nicely.

 

Top setting in front, stock rears. Passenger side is level at 39-3/4”, driver’s side rear is 39-3/4” and front is 39-1/2” due to typical driver’s side lean.

 

Yes, Fuel Vector 20's with +1 offset. Good eye

 

That's awesome that you got dead level! With mine I had to go mid setting. It may have settled now. If I went top I would be nose high by 1/2 inch

 

Can you do 1 on the driver side and none on the passenger side? It should be the same, just less lift. Correct?

 

Had 5100s installed today up front. Measurements to bottom of fender flare- PRE INSTALL- FRONT- passenger- 36.5", Driver- 36.25", POST INSTALL on MIDDLE SETTING- passenger- 38.25", Driver's- 38.0".

 

Can you share pics please? Factory tires and wheels?

 

I'll try and remember to get some tonight.

What's everyone paying to have the 5100s installed up front, with and without alignment?

 

Im curious about pics and pricing too.

I have a 2019 cm trd or and am considering the 5100s for up front only. I dont want to be nose high and would be happy with about 1" of rake so from what ive read the middle setting will get me the closest.

 

2017 tundra platinum 20" stock wheels
275/60/20 nitto g2
Bilstein 5100 middle ring setting at 1.57"
Before/after


Maybe not the best angles but this is my truck now

 

Here are a couple additional photos of before and after 5100's. I chose the middle setting and have a slight rake. I didn't want to do anything to the rear and figured the top setting would put me a bit nose high so I went middle. Ride is very similar to stock in my opinion.
Before:

After:

 

White size tires do you have in this pic?

 

Did you have any lean toward the driver's side? Before or after? Did you use a shim? Looks great.