jwinco

So I put an ARB bumper (without a winch) on my 03' tacoma and after a few weeks I started bottoming out my left side on turns. I ordered some Bistein 5100's from wheeler's offroad to help compensate for the weight. Since it's just the strut and I'm using my stock TRD coil, I'm hoping to get the height setting right the first time so I dont need take it all off to adjust it a second time.

So does anyone have any idea where level might be on the 1"-2.5" adjustable Bilstein 5100 to compensate for an ARB bumper without a winch?

If I get it wrong the first time is there anyway to adjust those without taking them off? I know I should have just gotten coilovers, but no extra cash these days.

Thanks!

scuba

Why not buy some new coils..
Yours are probably sagging by now..

jwinco

are you thinking just the regular trd ones?

scuba

im thinking OME 880 replacements, With matching shocks..

bigarms23

go with the bbcs offered from www.polyperformance.com they are great

RobD

Shocks don't support weight, nor do they raise a truck. Their function is to slow the rate at which your springs compress and rebound.

You need new, taller, stiffer rate springs combined with properly valved shocks.

jwinco

hmm....so maybe I should just send my bilsteins back and dig out the credit card for some coil overs.

Here is the back story on what my original reason for upgrading to the 5100's is.

03 toyota tacoma trd sr5 3.4V6 78k

This is my everyday work, farm, drive, roadtrip, etc... truck. I'm trying to get a better ride on paved
road as well as dirt roads and access roads. My new ARB bumper started bottoming out front the front shocks, truck is horrible on washboard roads, it feels like my truck skips over when I hit a big bump on a curve on highways, and there is bad sway with stock suspension.

Toyota is currently doing the frame recall, which will include new leaf springs.

So maybe keep the rear bilsteins and cough up the extra for front coilovers? How much suspension lift should I look for? I'd like to be <$300 for the front alone.

scuba

if you have an ARB, Maybe some OME881's are for you..

jwinco

those look good. If I'm lifting the front 1.74-2", what do I need to do to level out the back?

Also, how hard would it be to assemble the shocks my self? It would be sweet to save $180 on the assembly fee.

scuba

Honestly, Im thinking the 881's will bring you back to stock height since the added weight of the bumper is there..

If you need it after that I say some shackles in the rear to keep it on the cheap, along with some slightly longer shocks.

Um, assembly fee ? Take that ish to a strut/ alignment place around the corner, they'll charge you 40 bucks maybe
Its not fun doing it by yourself.

Random Thoughts Race

The Bilstein 5100 has a repositionable lower spring seat, so for this application the shock does raise the truck.

http://www.bilsteinus.com/leveling/index.php

I recommend bolting on the leveling shocks you have now and using the highest spring position. The aftermarket 5100's are valved much better than the original equipment shocks from TRD.

-Joel @ Bilstein

RobD

While you are right in stating that you can raise the truck with those particular Bilsteins, I stand by my original statement that shocks do not support the weight of the truck, especially with his ARB bumper on the front. To do it right, he needs new springs and shocks, not just shocks alone.