5100 problem and I’m stumped.

Hey y’all, 2019 Sr5 CM 4x4. I ordered 5100s for the front along with one shim for each side as the truck doesn’t have much drivers sag. The whole drivers side assembly went together perfect and is good to go. The passenger side however is giving me fits. Once the stock strut was disassembled, when trying to put it back together the spring seems way too long and needed 2+ inches of compression to get the hat back on. Both struts are at middle setting. Once back in the vehicle I can’t even get the passenger side sway bar to connect and the passenger side is sitting a lot higher than the drivers. Anyone have any idea what the issue could be. Like I said it seems to me that the passenger side spring is longer and is being overly compressed, causing the excessive lift. TIA

 

Do you have the spring seat oriented the correct way? Post some pictures of the shock assembly.

 

It is oriented correctly, within a few mm of how it was. The truck is at a shop getting tires installed currently so I can’t get pictures. I will when I can.

 

Do you have the right springs on the right sides? I think the 5100 has a specific spring for each side.

 

This is usually the issue. Snap a few pics of the spring and seat. 5100’s also reuse the stock springs, which are side specific, so you need to keep track of left vs right or one side will be higher.

When reassembling, final torque should be done with wheels on the ground and the weight of the vehicle on the suspension.

 

This is what @snivilous is taking about. The spring seat can be installed upside down and add several inches of lift. It should slide over and below the circlip. Look very closely at the correct spring seat orientation (left) vs the incorrect orientation (right). The pic is NOT from a Tundra 5100 but installation is the same.

 

I think I had an epiphany moment and y’all are right about the spring seat. I’ll look tomorrow but I’m pretty sure that’s gonna be my brain fart

 

It happens…

 

Squatted trucks are illegal now....

 

Thank God.....

 

Y’all were right. I’m a bone head. Thank you for saving me a much longer headache. Truck is all done and its summer makeover is complete. Before and after….

 

Yaaaaaay!

 

Looks nice. What size tire did you go with? Also, how is the ride now?

 

The ride after swapping 4600 with 5100 is harsher right away, even with the stock coils and tires. I got back close to the original ride only after upgrading tires to heavy 33" LT and installing semi-hidden offroad bumper with winch and 3 skid plates.

Navigating log roads at higher speeds is more pleasant, though. These shocks are tuned for taking more abuse, so you get less comfort on asphalt and more in the woods. They survive for about an hour, then heat soak and drop the dampening ball. 4600 were degrading due to heat much quicker.

 

Thanks for the info. I need to keep on road comfort for the long term.. I wonder if only putting the 5100 on the second clip for only 0.87 lift would allow for at least a reasonable ride compared to the 4600?

 

5100 has a different valve tuning, it can't be as plush as 4600. If you want 4600 comfort, but an inch or so of lift, just keep 4600 and add shims.

FOX shocks in wife's TRD PRO Sequoia seem to be both road comfortable and mild offroad capable. But the price...

 

Good point. Totally agree on the fox shocks.. Loved them on a TRD Pro Sequoia i drove but i don't want to deal with the cost - both up front and down the road. I will take a look at the shim idea. Hadn't really considered that before. Thanks!

 

285/65/r20 Toyos. Ride is fine but I haven’t left pavement yet.