5100's with top Spacer?

Ok, I'm trying to put bilsteins on the front to get a better ride after my previous attempt failed since I didn't actually have stock springs. I managed to track down the total package, preassembled by a gentleman who upgraded his setup to kings. It's all ready to go off of a similar access cab 4x4. Here's the thing, he was using them with a top spacer with the shock set on the bottom perch. The spacer with a measuring tape measures 1.75". Will this give a lift of double that? Also, these springs seem burly and I can try to confirm, but I'd bet they are TRD springs as well.

I'd like to even out the back, or leave a little rake. From my research it seems like the middle setting is the max for my '01 AC 4x4. It already has a wheelers AAL in back (without overload leaf) and got the standard .75" lift in back. I offroad some, and use my 4wd to get back to some cool climbing areas, but overall this is a gentle offroad vehicle and ~95% on pavement or 2wd dirt roads.

I don't mind renting the spring compressor and moving the perch up and removing the top spacer, but is it even necessary? I welcome input, as plug and play is always attractive, but I also want to do things right. I understand the disadvantages of top spacers but have never felt like I max out the capabilities of the truck. Thanks for your input in advance,
Luke

 

Kind of a strange setup. Move the spring up. Dump the spacers. (I would) it also doesn't take much time to disasssemble and reassemble

 

Also, to move the spring perch up, all I really have to do is compress the spring and move the split ring up correct? I don’t even have to take apart the top assembly?

 

That's what I'd do with that too.

 

Yes, remove the nuts holding the spacers on, that's all you have to do with the top. As you say, compress the spring enough to move the perch, and you're there.

 

You'll probably have to disassemble them. I don't think there's enough room to compress them far enough to get the snap ring out.

 

I have disassembled and reinstalled my billies a few times on my 4Runner, changing spring or perch height. I definitely would not try compress the coils enough to be able to move the snap ring up. Compressing the springs is the tedious part--once you have that done, rattle off the top center bolt and simply pull the whole top plate and coil off. Then manipulating the perch is easy.

 

Awesome. I’ll get to it in the next week or two and get this truck the look and suspension it deserves. Thanks for the words!

 

Also, FWIW, you can rent spring compressors from auto parts chains for free. Pull the whole coilover out and use an impact wrench and just go back and forth between the two sides to compress the spring. One thing to remember: you want to over--compress the coils a little before pulling them off because it will be a bit tougher to compress them once you raise the snap ring!

 

My guess is that the previous owner did this setup to have a softer ride. While you can get the same amount of lift by removing the top spacer and moving the perch ring up, the coil will be more compressed causing a stiffer ride than the current setup. Not saying good or bad either way; just the reason for the top spacer and bottom perch ring setting.

 

Because used, take the chance to inspect and clean all the parts

 

I'm guessing the last owner was lazy

 

Actually, the only way increasing preload increases ride stiffness is if the coilover is already at max extension at static height. Otherwise, if you can imagine, the coil is still providing the same amount of force to hold the vehicle up, even if it is offset higher.

I am a huge fan of relatively light-weight coils, preloaded to the desired height. I once upgraded to 20% firmer coils up front and 50% stiffer in the rear, and even with 700lbs extra my 4Runner felt like a hotwheels car going over technical terrain. My kid's head would bob all over as the body pitched and rolled over undulations. I went back to stock weight up front, and only 19% firmer in the rear, and adjusted ride height with preload. Especially with the sway bars removed, my kid literally sleeps while I wheel, heh. Plus, the tires are more firmly planted on the ground, so I experience much less "diffing out" over opposing-corner obstacles.

 

You’re right. I was having a brain fart on how for the lower perch sits down over the snap ring.

 

Thanks everyone. Great information to help. Have the spring compressor, a real beast of a thing. Should be pretty easy. One thought I had is that these springs came off of a first gen 4.7l and I'm putting it on my 3.4L. Was there a difference between springs on those trucks with the weight difference? I don't think there was, but it would be wild to raise up the perch and get extra lift I'm not wanting. happy thanksgiving everyone!