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Shock Upgrade Options For A 2wd?

jwhelan65

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jwhelan65 Enthusiast

jwhelan65

Posted
Posted

Just recently purchased an 08 2WD ext cab and I am considering leveling it. I used a set Bilstien 5100's to level my previous ride ( Tacoma TRD ). I set the the fronts at the middle setting and it leveled the truck perfectly, so I basically I got a front lift and a better ride with out a leveling kit. My question is can this be done on my 1500?

DaveH71 Enthusiast

DaveH71

Posted
Posted

you can use the bilsteins or lift spindles, bilsteins will be cheaper but lift spindles would be a better option.

jwhelan65 Enthusiast

jwhelan65

Posted
  • Author
Posted
you can use the bilsteins or lift spindles, bilsteins will be cheaper but lift spindles would be a better option.

 

Not to sound stupid, but what do you mean by spindles?

DaveH71 Enthusiast

DaveH71

Posted
Posted

A spindle lift replaces the steering knuckle to add height. If you just want to level your truck you can get the same rough country 2" level that the 4wd trucks use. It wont effect your ride. You could also go with the bilsteins and have the advantage of upgraded shocks with a level. Id stay away from that readylift sst kit, that is stupid expensive for what it gives you. If you want to go above level i would look into spindle kits since you are 2wd. Ebay has some, im sure other manufactures do to. Never really looked for them because im 4wd.

jwhelan65 Enthusiast

jwhelan65

Posted
  • Author
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A spindle lift replaces the steering knuckle to add height. If you just want to level your truck you can get the same rough country 2" level that the 4wd trucks use. It wont effect your ride. You could also go with the bilsteins and have the advantage of upgraded shocks with a level. Id stay away from that readylift sst kit, that is stupid expensive for what it gives you. If you want to go above level i would look into spindle kits since you are 2wd. Ebay has some, im sure other manufactures do to. Never really looked for them because im 4wd.

 

Thanks for the response, my goal is a tougher looking stance than stock without doing anything to the rear or going over the top with a lift.

levigarrett Enthusiast

levigarrett

Posted
Posted

$65 for a leveling kit or $950 for Readylift over priced stuff... Hmmmm. IMO

 

I am a 2wd. I decided to go with a 1.5" leveling kit (fat Bobs Garage, top kit) and a 3" doetsch lift spindle... Installing it in a couple weeks.

 

Let me just say that tires and rims with a leveling kit is more than enough for most. Dont spend the money on that kit. For that price you can get a rough country 5" suspension lift kit which is a pretty good kit.

 

 

Some have a 1.5" leveling kits, some go all the way up to 3" leveling kits. The bigger the leveling kit the worse the angles and it reflects in your drive and wear on parts. I went with 1.5" because I have read more than once that is the optimal amount with the least amount of wear. I plan to have about 4.5" of lift in the front and about 3.5" of lift for the rear. I like a little bit of rake and use my truck. Tire size will be 305/55/20 on Fuel Hostage.

 

The only problem with the spindle lift is that it pushes your front track out about an additional 1" on each side. A leveling kit and Body Lift will not do that.

jwhelan65 Enthusiast

jwhelan65

Posted
  • Author
Posted
$65 for a leveling kit or $950 for Readylift over priced stuff... Hmmmm. IMO

 

I am a 2wd. I decided to go with a 1.5" leveling kit (fat Bobs Garage, top kit) and a 3" doetsch lift spindle... Installing it in a couple weeks.

 

Let me just say that tires and rims with a leveling kit is more than enough for most. Dont spend the money on that kit. For that price you can get a rough country 5" suspension lift kit which is a pretty good kit.

 

 

Some have a 1.5" leveling kits, some go all the way up to 3" leveling kits. The bigger the leveling kit the worse the angles and it reflects in your drive and wear on parts. I went with 1.5" because I have read more than once that is the optimal amount with the least amount of wear. I plan to have about 4.5" of lift in the front and about 3.5" of lift for the rear. I like a little bit of rake and use my truck. Tire size will be 305/55/20 on Fuel Hostage.

 

The only problem with the spindle lift is that it pushes your front track out about an additional 1" on each side. A leveling kit and Body Lift will not do that.

 

Do you have a pic of your truck with 1.5" leveling kit?

 

Do you run this one?

 

http://fatbobsgarage.com/lookup.html?selye...hidVehicle=true

levigarrett Enthusiast

levigarrett

Posted
Posted

http://fatbobsgarage.com/i-6765074-chevrol...2011-6-lug.html

 

that is the kit. Mine isnt black I think I paid less. Must have raised their prices.

 

 

I dont have a pic, but will get you one. Give me a day or two.

 

The spacer is just a piece of aluminum. Nothing special. I apologize about not really answer your questions. the adjustable bilsteins 5100 front shocks will get you level also. I didnt change mine because I could not justify the money when my stock shocks ride nice. I plan to do my ball joint and front shocks around 70k miles. i have 34k on them now. The guys with the 5100 say they are great.

jwhelan65 Enthusiast

jwhelan65

Posted
  • Author
Posted
http://fatbobsgarage.com/i-6765074-chevrol...2011-6-lug.html

 

that is the kit. Mine isnt black I think I paid less. Must have raised their prices.

 

 

I dont have a pic, but will get you one. Give me a day or two.

 

The spacer is just a piece of aluminum. Nothing special. I apologize about not really answer your questions. the adjustable bilsteins 5100 front shocks will get you level also. I didnt change mine because I could not justify the money when my stock shocks ride nice. I plan to do my ball joint and front shocks around 70k miles. i have 34k on them now. The guys with the 5100 say they are great.

 

70k on mine now, shocks seem ok but I really liked them on my Tacoma. They made a huge difference in the ride, wondering if the level spacers are necessary with the 5100's.

DaveH71 Enthusiast

DaveH71

Posted
Posted

No need for the spacers if you get the 5100's. The spacer itself is 2" and the shocks themselves at max setting are about 1 -3/4" at . Id pick one or the other. You could get both and just keep the 5100's at the stocks setting for the best ride. With 70k miles on your stock shocks i don't think it would be a bad idea for some new shocks.

levigarrett Enthusiast

levigarrett

Posted
Posted

If I were you with 70k on the stock shocks I would do the 5100 adjustables and get the level with them. No spacer. Why spend the money on the spacer when you could take the funds and put it towards new shocks which you will need in another 20k or so. Understand my point?

 

When you order them dont get screwed up, I believe there is an adjustabel height front shock and standard height shock. Order correct pair.

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted
Just recently purchased an 08 2WD ext cab and I am considering leveling it. I used a set Bilstien 5100's to level my previous ride ( Tacoma TRD ). I set the the fronts at the middle setting and it leveled the truck perfectly, so I basically I got a front lift and a better ride with out a leveling kit. My question is can this be done on my 1500?

 

How can a shock raise or lower the ride height? Or am I just not reading this right? A shock absorber cannot alter the ride height. Springs can, spindles can, but shocks cannot.

levigarrett Enthusiast

levigarrett

Posted
Posted
Just recently purchased an 08 2WD ext cab and I am considering leveling it. I used a set Bilstien 5100's to level my previous ride ( Tacoma TRD ). I set the the fronts at the middle setting and it leveled the truck perfectly, so I basically I got a front lift and a better ride with out a leveling kit. My question is can this be done on my 1500?

 

How can a shock raise or lower the ride height? Or am I just not reading this right? A shock absorber cannot alter the ride height. Springs can, spindles can, but shocks cannot.

 

 

hmmmm you have been on the board for a while and have nearly 1000 posts, and you have never run across adjustable bilstein 5100's. Have you looked at your front shocks under the truck? Not trying to be an a-hole. sorry

 

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits-Suspe...amp;emlprox=out

 

Move that ring and you adjust the height of the spring. the spring is around the shock with a plate on the bottom. Move that plate up with the ring that goes on the shock and it adjusts the height.

  • 11 months later...
jwhelan65 Enthusiast

jwhelan65

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just recently purchased an 08 2WD ext cab and I am considering leveling it. I used a set Bilstien 5100's to level my previous ride ( Tacoma TRD ). I set the the fronts at the middle setting and it leveled the truck perfectly, so I basically I got a front lift and a better ride with out a leveling kit. My question is can this be done on my 1500?

 

How can a shock raise or lower the ride height? Or am I just not reading this right? A shock absorber cannot alter the ride height. Springs can, spindles can, but shocks cannot.

 

 

Bilstein 5100's are adjustable

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