Suspension savvy people & Bilstein experts: can u raise spring seat above 0" w/ OME 3" lift springs

To all suspension savvy people, and Bilstein experts: can you or can't you raise the spring seat from 0" stock groove if you have non-OEM 3" lift springs?? (I run 5100's w/ OME 2884 3" lift springs - stock weight). Am I near 3" w/ 33's centre wheel to fender approx. 22"?

 

Knew a guy that did a 2" lift spring and set the clip on the 3rd (1.7") setting and the ride was stiff as crap. So I guess my point is, if you dont mind possibly having a rough ride and you are not worrying about over compressing the springs, anything is possible.

Does your truck have any added weight up front? 22" measurement does seem a little low for a 3" lift. What was the measurement before the shock/ spring replacement?

 

Interesting, I see. So not much added weight just 3 piece skid plate kit + transfer case skid. And I'm not sure of my measurement at stock I didn't measure. Really appreciate the help

 

At stock height, my 2021 TRD OR measured 19 7/8 from hub to fender on both left and right front. Others have reported similar measurements generally around 20" from hub to fender but it does vary from vehicle to vehicle.

I upgraded to Bilstein 5100's shortly after purchase and set the shocks at the .85" setting which is one ring above OEM height and measured a 1 1/8" gain on OEM springs and this leveled my rig. Later, after I added weight to the vehicle (bumper, winch, skids, sliders), I upgraded the springs to carry the additional weight. I went with Dobinsons springs that were advertised to give a 2" lift over OEM with the weight I had added with the Bilstein 5100's set at OEM ride height. I got pretty close to the advertised lift.

This is my opinion so take it for what its worth but I would not use adjustable shocks to add additional lift to springs that already provide the lift. Let your springs do the lifting and your shocks do the dampening. If you add weight to your rig as I did, consider springs that can carry the weight at the ride height you want...

Cheers,
Bob

 

@BobbyB
So I'm at exactly 38" with 33's (33" diameter) from ground to fender.
With stock 31" (31.6" diameter) ride height of 34-1/2, it means I'm sitting at only 2.1" lift (38 minus 34-1/2+1.4).
OME 2884 approx 3" lift springs are 590lbs and I have barely any added weight. Rear end is at 39-1/2". So why am I at 2"

 

Op,
Generally, we measure lift height from center of hub to fender to remove any ground to fender differences that a tire size change would cause.

As I look at your ground to fender calculation, it seems that you have deducted the full 1.4” difference between the 33’s and 31.6 tires. Your calculation is (38 minus 34 1/2 + 1.4) giving you a delta of 2.1”.

Since only half of the difference in tire diameter lifts the vehicle, I think you should have only used .7” (half of the difference) in your calculation. I believe your calc should be (38 minus 34.5 + .7) or 2.8” instead of the 2.1.

I think you have close to the 3” advertised lift for the springs…

Cheers,
Bob

 

I took math 11 twice, lol, thank you for this!
I have posted the wheel hub to fender measurement as well but din think about its 0.7" if you're going ground to fender

 

@BobbyB do you know anything about suspension settling? I had another dude said his suspension settled 1.5" after a week which seems crazy to me

 

When I lifted my rig with new springs, shocks and upper control arms, my goal was a 2” lift in front and 1” in the rear. My measurements shortly after the lift showed right at 2” both front and rear and I’ve experienced minimal settling, maybe 1/4”.
Clearly, some see more settling than others but I’ve not heard of anyone seeing more than about 1/2”. If it settles more than that, I would question the installation.
The advertised lift heights of spring/shock combos are approximate and are subject to weight of installed accessories, gear in the vehicle and even how much gas there is in the tank.

Cheers,
Bob

 

@BobbyB very much appreciated sir

 

For a couple of reasons, no. You will be riding topped out in the shock travel. Leading to constant banging/clunking of the shock after hitting a dip or going off road.

The spring will be under a ton of pressure. When you compress it more by hitting a dip, it will naturally want to spring back/out at a fast rate. Leading to even more topping out.

I know because I did this for a customer. I advised against it, but they insisted. They test drove around the block and came right back. Begging me to lower the clip setting. They had zero up travel, tons of lift though.

 

Really appreciate that context and info, I believe it. I see all over the web ppl saying they ride in the upper groove settings, usually their lift springs are no more than 2" tho. Question, any idea if Bilstein 5100's can accommodate longer than 3" lift springs ?

 

No for the same reason. You will have no up travel. If you are 2wd can run maxtrac 4" lift spindles. Otherwise for over 3" lift your options are basically limited to drop bracket lifts.

 

I see, I hear ya. Appreciate that. So I've chopped and trimmed what's needed to fit 35's next, prolly adding a 1" body lift with that. Perhaps dreams of higher than 3" suspension lift entails new longer travel suspension !