What should I set my new shocks at?

jwinco · 07-19-2009, 06:28 AM

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!

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scuba · 07-19-2009, 08:24 AM

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

jwinco · 07-19-2009, 09:47 AM

are you thinking just the regular trd ones?

scuba · 07-19-2009, 02:17 PM

im thinking OME 880 replacements, With matching shocks..

bigarms23 · 07-19-2009, 03:23 PM

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

RobD · 07-19-2009, 03:30 PM

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 · 07-19-2009, 07:53 PM

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 · 07-19-2009, 11:24 PM

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

jwinco · 07-20-2009, 06:01 AM

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 · 07-20-2009, 09:11 AM

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 · 08-03-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 08-03-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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.

07-19-2009, 08:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	Why not buy some new coils.. Yours are probably sagging by now.. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

07-19-2009, 02:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	im thinking OME 880 replacements, With matching shocks.. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

07-19-2009, 03:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
bigarms23 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: mountains of truckee ca Posts: 1,010	go with the bbcs offered from www.polyperformance.com they are great __________________ 1988sr5 4.3v6 4runner with chevy axles 513 gears dual cases overall 300to1 ratio 36mtzs 5inch lift detroits 1972 stepside jimmy d44/d70 425hp 1995 green range rover

07-19-2009, 03:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
RobD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,726	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. __________________ 1991 4Runner, 3.4 5VZFE swap, OME shocks/springs, 33" BFG All Terrain T/A KOs, Pioneer head unit, Infinity speakers, XM Satellite radio

07-19-2009, 11:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	if you have an ARB, Maybe some OME881's are for you.. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

07-19-2009, 09:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
jwinco Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NY Posts: 5	are you thinking just the regular trd ones?

07-19-2009, 07:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
jwinco Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NY Posts: 5	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.

07-20-2009, 06:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
jwinco Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NY Posts: 5	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.

07-20-2009, 09:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	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. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

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