How high can I raise the front (Bilsteins) with no rear spacers and still be level?

im new here, have to add lift soon.

How high can i go in the front (with the 5100s all around) without rear spacers and it still being level or close to level as possible with highest height??

 

Welcome!

I would suggest measuring your center hub to fender distance front and rear and then subtracting to find out how much you need to lift the front to be level.

 

I went the full 1.75" with Bilstein 5100s up front, stock rear - no spacer, because I didn't care for the factory rake of my 2017 SR5 Premium. I have read on the forums this causes negative rake. What I found: I measured from hub center to fender and see 21 1/2" front and 22" rear. I love the level look!

 

Do this. With the SR5 and TRD Off-roads there is quite a bit of factory rake. For those vehicles, 1.75" gets you the closest to level. Your limited might not come with as much factory rake (I don't know much about the Limiteds) so you might find the 0.8" setting gets you closer to level.

Also make sure the Bilstein 5100's are compatible with your vehicle.

 

I did 1.75 up front and 3/4” Cornfed rear spacers In back and I absolutely love it. To me, without the spacers it would look like it has reverse rake... if you put heavy anything in back you’re going to have even more reverse rake...

 

Why does everyone measure the fenders? 1.75 will level your fenders but your frame has reverse rake. .85 is the way to go without a rear spacer. This is with an empty 4 runner also, once you have the back loaded up, you reverse rake will look terrible. There is a reason for a little front rake, I suggest you leave a small 1” front rake which .85 will give you.

 

People measure at the fenders because the 4Runner has a bunch of design cues that lend it to looking like it has more rake than it actually has (i.e. the front fenders being lower than the rear and the window line sloping downward from back to front). If you like a leveled look, than 1.75" will get you that look. A little bit of reverse rake at the frame is not as big a deal as people seem to make it around here and not everyone carries heavy shit in the back of their vehicles.

Also, I think the way someone lifts their trucks is regional. Some people in California, Arizona, and Nevada are inspired by desert racing for example. A lot of the trophy trucks and prerunners have some reverse rake to help get a bit more travel and clearance in the front of their trucks. Other regions are known for rock crawling or swamp bogging.......creating different needs that require different lifts.

Here's my truck at 1.6" in front and nothing in the rear. It doesn't look like it has reverse rake to me.

 

All the shops around either wanted an arm and leg or didnt want to mess with my XREAS, so i went with the toytec 2.5/1.5 spacer kit. I wont be doing any off-roading, so i know people talk shit about spacers, but its going to be a pavement princess.

 

Hi All,

I recently purchased a 2011 4Runner SR5 and was told by the inspector that the front struts will need replacing in the near future. I assume the coils are fine, so I am hoping I can get two birds stoned at once here (lift and replacement) by installing a pair of Bilstein B8 5100's in the front. I was originally hoping not to have to touch the back end (yet) and just wanted to confirm that I am following along properly.

Setting the front's to .85 and not touching the back will ensure that it is level, all while allowing for larger tires, correct? or am I out to lunch?

Any insight is much appreciated.

Cheers!

 

Take a look at this, you'll see a lot of examples:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/bilstein-5100s-pics-with-settings.12877/#post-138153

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Thank you @glwood54, the visuals help a lot. I guess the next question is it ok to only replace the front shocks or does this put me at risk of blowing the rears out? Again, this is all fairly new to me. I live in BC, Canada and don't plan and riding it off road too hard, mainly just forest service roads on weekends for camping and to access some hikes. Doubtful that i'll go the RTT or full overland route.

@SlvrSlug thanks!

Thanks again in advance.

 

I don't see any harm in just replacing the front struts. Some have done that...(@nimby?)

On the other hand, if the rear shocks are original, they are 9 years old...not a bad idea to replace them...

 

Agree. The rears are cheaper, and aren't in a strut. You can do them in 30 minutes while the truck is on the ground. Just knock it out now and you'll be done.

 

Yeah, you don't have to replace the rear shocks to match the fronts, but as @glwood54 already said, if they are 9 years old it's time to replace them anyways so you might as well.

 

Thank you for your insight @fajitas21 & @nimby for your insight. I've managed to find a pair of lightly used B8 5100 Series Height Adj 0-2.5" Front (24-196499) for dirt cheap locally but they are missing the spring seats (picture attached). Does anyone know if these can be purchased from anywhere? I've reached out to Bilstein and Essex but haven't had any luck.

 

That's the lower spring perch. Maybe contact Toytec or Wheelers to see if you can get a set from them.

You'll also need the snap rings that go in the grooves of the shocks to hold the spring perches in place.

 

Set at 2.5 front
B12 1.5" springs and 10mm ome lean spacer in rear.

 

I like that a lot. How’s the ride?

Side note: What sliders are those?

 

The ride is definitely not like stock anymore and is stiff but not rough. I have no problems going over train tracks.

Sliders are Cali Raised LED. I like the bc it is cheaper than most brands and it attaches not only to the side of the frame but also to the bottom of the frame (L-shape).

 

I've managed to track down the lower spring perch's from Summit Racing but after picking up the shocks I noticed they are also missing the small washer (picture attached & mentioned at 11:00 in this install video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEnMvblCHyo). It looks like the OEM washer/cap is still able to sit on the ledge of the spring without but I am curious if anyone has installed these without the small washers?

Thank you!

 

I put Bilsteins all around at .85 front and nothing added in the rear, all stock springs. I am just about even all around with the back still slightly higher (no weight in vehicle). I love the ride. Eventually, if I start towing more again, I may replace the rear springs but will wait and see. Definitely increases comfort and decreases side to side roll.

 

I have these springs.

 

Thanks!

 

I wouldn't go without that washer. You could potentially bend your shock shaft without the stability that washer provides.

I would call Bilstein to see if they have a couple to sell you.

 

5100’s all 4
1.75” in the Front.... Just did this and leave the rears stock height
Because I’ve read conflicting info online I questioned the techs at Off Road Warehouse in San Diego. They insisted
The end result was a 3/4” rake and I’m very pleased

 

I did some thing a little different when I installed my 5100. Prior to my current 4runner I have owned a FJ for over 10 year with almost 200k miles on it before I sold it in 4 days. I installed 5100 at 0.85 lift (2nd notch from the bottom) and due to the typical Toyota lean I installed a 3/8" spacer on the driver side and 1/4" spacer on the passenger side. Here are my before front lift LF 29.00" RF 29.25" LR 31.25" RR 31.25" after installing my 5100 at 0.85 lift with spacer LF 30.75" RF 30.75 LR 31.25 RR 31.25. Here is a photo with my pro rims and stock size all terrain tires.