Having 5100s installed

I have a couple questing i could really find answers too using the search. I having 5100s installed this Monday. First question is does the top setting put you at a higher risk got pre mature ball joint wear? The guy at the front end shop said to run the middle setting to play it safe but from what i see that’s the setting that levels the truck out anyway. The other question is there any advantage to the bilstein kit that comes with the coil springs? Just a higher load rating ? Is it worth the extra 300 or so bucks? Thank you

 

The 6112's are really worth the extra money (or, currently - the extra wait...), because they come with the matched set of Eibach springs, which seems to make all the difference.

The ball joint angle on a stock UCA is not going to be great either way; just plan on installing some aftermarket upper control arms down the road.

 

Damn i didn’t expect that, probably only going to the middle setting which is like 1.5 inches or so. Almost feel like pulling the plug haha truck is brand new. I really don’t want to do uppers if that’s the case I’ll just lift the whole truck.

 

Depends how ride-sensitive you are, or how much you care - but the 6112's are going to ride way better than 5100's with stock coil springs; its the Eibach coils that make the difference. As far as UCA angle, I mean who cares - you can replace the stock ones for a few hundred if they ever wear out.

 

yeah that’s true. I’m going to see how it rides worst case I’ll do the springs . I was more worried about the angle of the upper ball joint. What put me at ease was reading that the TRD has a 2inch lift up front on stock control arms. Mine is only a SR5 so I’m hoping it just puts me where the TRD is with no issues . I’m really looking for a one and done type thing here haha

 

Have my 5100s at top setting and the truck is perfectly leveled...love the stiffer ride that these shocks provide.

 

how many miles you got on them ? No issues ?

 

I also have the 5100s installed on the top setting and been roughly 30k. I towed a lot the first 70k on the truck and the stock shocks were wasted when I made the swap. Truck is level and I couldn’t be happier with the ride quality.

 

The problem is its hard to find any good aftermarket companies that sell just a good stock-height spring (perhaps someone could give a brand if so though, as I would be curious). So, if the 5100's in combo with your stock springs end up having a ride that you don't like - then you don't have too many options.

 

Fair warning: if you raise it the ~2.25” that the highest setting gives you, you’ll hate the stock size tires. I went with Cooper Adventurer A/T 275-70-18s and it fills out the wheel well much better. My 5100s at the top setting put me a quarter of an inch higher in the front. But to me that’s close enough to level. 7k on them with no issues. It looks front high in the pic b/c I drove it onto 2 4” thick bumper plates to give me more room to do an oil change.

 

You will like 5100s for a pavement pounder. I have them on the middle setting with 35s (285/75/18) on the stock rim and I have been very happy with the ride and overall appearance of the truck.

 

I have put about 5,000 miles and I absolutely love them. I do not however off-road with my truck as she is a weekend pavement princess. I wouldn’t change a thing.

 

So what I’ve gathered is that i won’t have problems as long as i keep my stock springs.

 

I went with 5100's on mid setting (just to play it safe) and couldn't be happier. Stock tire size and rim because that's how I roll. I figure if the PRO comes with a 2" level from the factory and same rim/tire size as my truck then its good enough for me. No complaints!

 

I've gone about 3,000 miles since installing 5100's at the middle setting. This got me close to level with a slight rake so when I'm hauling I don't go nose-up. No problems at all for me yet and in my opinion it rides just like it did with the stock yellow's.

 

Exactly my thoughts ! And the PRO has the same upper control arm so what the hell.

 

Yeah. I like to mod my truck with just a few things then leave it alone. The Tundra has an awesome rep on reliability and I do not want to mess that up. That's why I wasn't too concerned about the shocks on mid setting since the factory is putting a 2" lift on the PRO.

 

I put 6112’s up front and the 5160’s on the back end. New uniball upper arms and it eats earth.

 

Top setting is perfectly fine with stock Uca's but you'll look nose high if you don't bring up the rear. IMO middle setting is the sweet spot with 5100s. Cant speak for 6112s but the 5100s ride very firm. Some people find them too harsh but I daily drive an F350 dually with G rated tires, 5100s are very plush to me. Ymmv

 

truck looks great that’s what i might do down the road. What size tire is that ?

 

I got Toyo mt’s 315/70/18. Had to trim n chop but they fit n don’t rub.

 

My plan is install the 5100s middle setting if the upper ball joint don’t look stressed, run it .... maybe down the road do a 6112/5160s with new uppers, down the road. I jacked the truck up two inches this morning to get an idea hhahah it looked fine, actually looked like it was more level on the ball joint if that makes sense

 

Ok all done ! 5100s installed middle setting .. the place that installed them by my house is literally called the front end shop . Mechanic told me not to waste money on UCAs he said everything is in spec with room to move either way nothing maxed out . Super happy and it rides way better then i thought. Then again i am not rock crawling . Just a daily driver haha

 

What did they charge you to install?

Also, did you get an alignment?

My local shop quoted me about $650 installed, with the 5100's included in that price, but no alignment.

I am debating about the 6112's and wonder if install price would be less money since they come pre-assembled.

SPP

 

That’s about what they charged me with the alignment.. 480 for install and 170 for alignment plus tax. Don’t know how far into NY your are but I’m in farmingdale NJ .. shops called the front end shop

 

I've gone from 4/2 ready lift, to OME with Dakar rear springs to Eibach 3/1. I'm almost bald from scratching my head trying to decide how to level my truck. After reading this post I feel I'm convinced on 5100's...or maybe 6112's. They fit the budget and its a pavement princess other than driving on the beach. Now, who are you folks buying the kits from? It sounds like theres a possible wait.

 

By the way, your rig looks AWESOME!!!!!

 

Thank you! So i was in the same boat like a week ago haha.. after a ton of bugging people and searching this is what i got out of it. If you just want to level out and run some bigger tires you can’t go wrong with the 5100s on the middle setting for a daily driver with normal use. The other route i liked was 6112 kit top setting with camburg upper control arms and a 1in block or shackle in the rear and diff drop. Camburg.com sells a 6112 kit that comes with the control arms and rear shocks for $1700

 

Rough Country lift using stock shocks and such. Truck is level and rides exactly the same which works well for me.