New TB owner. Shocks are up first.

[mavox]

First post!

Just got a bone stock dark shadow grey TB 21 Custom. I'm not too fond of the ride quality and have always hated Ranchos. My idea is to go blistein all the way around to gain that 1.2-inch lift in the front, not drastic, but enough to make me happy and avoid level kit and auto 4x4 issues.

1)Do I go 5100s all the way around?

2)How do I ensure I'm maxing out the front shock height and lowering the rear to 0 or stock?

Anyway, I tried some 34x11 goodyears on it and it looked great, but it rubbed slightly. Not sure if that extra inch will help at all, but I'm fine with some trimming. I just want the mostly stock look but a bit more leveled and some more height on the tires. 34s are not that big and it made a world of difference.

 

[TPerk92]

First post!

Just got a bone stock dark shadow grey TB 21 Custom. I'm not too fond of the ride quality and have always hated Ranchos. My idea is to go blistein all the way around to gain that 1.2-inch lift in the front, not drastic, but enough to make me happy and avoid level kit and auto 4x4 issues.

1)Do I go 5100s all the way around?

2)How do I ensure I'm maxing out the front shock height and lowering the rear to 0 or stock?

Anyway, I tried some 34x11 goodyears on it and it looked great, but it rubbed slightly. Not sure if that extra inch will help at all, but I'm fine with some trimming. I just want the mostly stock look but a bit more leveled and some more height on the tires. 34s are not that big and it made a world of difference.

FWIW,

I put 5100’s all the way around with the 1.1” setting on the front for a bit of leveling. It’s now about 1/2”-3/4” higher in the back, but looks level and rides MUCH better.

I’m running 295/70r18 Ridge Grapplers (34.3” diameter) with 1.25” BORA spacers.

No rubbing without the spacers, but did have to trim the mud flaps (there’s a good thread on here on how to do this…easy peasy) when I added the spacers.

 

[mavox]

FWIW,

I put 5100’s all the way around with the 1.1” setting on the front for a bit of leveling. It’s now about 1/2”-3/4” higher in the back, but looks level and rides MUCH better.

I’m running 295/70r18 Ridge Grapplers (34.3” diameter) with 1.25” BORA spacers.

No rubbing without the spacers, but did have to trim the mud flaps (there’s a good thread on here on how to do this…easy peasy) when I added the spacers.

That's interesting! I have 20 inch stock wheels I wanted to run with a 34x11 inch tire without spacers. You think the front 5100 max height shock will allow clearance?

 

[TPerk92]

Frankly, I’m surprised that you got rubbing with a 34”x11”.

The 295/70r18’s that I’m running spec at 34.3”x11.77”, and I didn’t get rubbing until I put on the spacers.

I started with tires, then spacers, then the shocks (with the added 1.1”). My experience was that the spacers caused the rubbing.

That being said, the extra inch can’t hurt.

Hope that helps.

 

[Transient]

That being said, the extra inch can’t hurt.

That's what she said

 

[2KWIK2C]

First post!

Just got a bone stock dark shadow grey TB 21 Custom. I'm not too fond of the ride quality and have always hated Ranchos. My idea is to go blistein all the way around to gain that 1.2-inch lift in the front, not drastic, but enough to make me happy and avoid level kit and auto 4x4 issues.

I don't want to take over a post, however I have a question. I here more than not of people having "Auto" four wheel drive issues when adding a leveling kit or the like on a TB. I own a 2021 and took it in and had a complete 6" BDS lift put on with traction bars and I have yet to have any auto four wheel drive issues and I am off road more than pavement. Slightly confused on the mention. Maybe just got lucky I guess. No?

 

[mavox]

I don't want to take over a post, however I have a question. I here more than not of people having "Auto" four wheel drive issues when adding a leveling kit or the like on a TB. I own a 2021 and took it in and had a complete 6" BDS lift put on with traction bars and I have yet to have any auto four wheel drive issues and I am off road more than pavement. Slightly confused on the mention. Maybe just got lucky I guess. No?

My understanding is that it will run but will cause cv issues later and not work as intended because of the lift. Essentially the tech I spoke to said just use 4 high or low and you'll be fine.

 

[PistolsFiring]

I don't want to take over a post, however I have a question. I here more than not of people having "Auto" four wheel drive issues when adding a leveling kit or the like on a TB. I own a 2021 and took it in and had a complete 6" BDS lift put on with traction bars and I have yet to have any auto four wheel drive issues and I am off road more than pavement. Slightly confused on the mention. Maybe just got lucky I guess. No?

You have a proper lift with a dropped front crossmember and lowered front diff to correct cv axle angles.

The potential issue with the levels/upper control arms is the upper control arms help correct the upper ball joint angle but not front diff angles. 4 hi and low work because of the situations these are used for while auto 4wd may potentially have problems because of the torque applied when for example running 60mph and it suddenly detecting wheel slippage and shifting into 4wd.

This is just my understanding. All that being said and there are several folks on this forum who have a ready lift sst 2.0 level with upper control arms and haven’t had issues with auto 4wd.

 

[Transient]

I don't want to take over a post, however I have a question. I here more than not of people having "Auto" four wheel drive issues when adding a leveling kit or the like on a TB. I own a 2021 and took it in and had a complete 6" BDS lift put on with traction bars and I have yet to have any auto four wheel drive issues and I am off road more than pavement. Slightly confused on the mention. Maybe just got lucky I guess. No?

ReadyLift did a good job of scaring people. Look at what they put in the description of the 2" lift for the Trail Boss kit.

 

[The Raven]

Wow it's amazing the difference in opinion on what amounts to "ride quality" because IMO the Bilsteins ride like absolute SH**. Bilstein makes a very high quality shock but their 5100 lift shocks are not something I would ever use again. I tried them on my old truck and promptly swapped them out for Ranchos. Granted, those Ranchos rode better than the stock Ranchos on my TB. But when my shocks start getting up there in mileage or start failing to dampen, Foxs will be the solution for me.

 

[2KWIK2C]

You have a proper lift with a dropped front crossmember and lowered front diff to correct cv axle angles.

The potential issue with the levels/upper control arms is the upper control arms help correct the upper ball joint angle but not front diff angles. 4 hi and low work because of the situations these are used for while auto 4wd may potentially have problems because of the torque applied when for example running 60mph and it suddenly detecting wheel slippage and shifting into 4wd.

This is just my understanding. All that being said and there are several folks on this forum who have a ready lift sst 2.0 level with upper control arms and haven’t had issues with auto 4wd.

Thanks! That makes sense to me now!

 

[mavox]

Wow it's amazing the difference in opinion on what amounts to "ride quality" because IMO the Bilsteins ride like absolute SH**. Bilstein makes a very high quality shock but their 5100 lift shocks are not something I would ever use again. I tried them on my old truck and promptly swapped them out for Ranchos. Granted, those Ranchos rode better than the stock Ranchos on my TB. But when my shocks start getting up there in mileage or start failing to dampen, Foxs will be the solution for me.

Yeah I've never heard that opinion on ride quality before.

 

[The Raven]

Yeah I've never heard that opinion on ride quality before.

Yeah neither had I when I was doing the research on my last truck. So I bought them and installed them and thought "my God is it supposed to be this terrible"? It was only then that I found all the threads about how harsh the 5100's are and how they're really designed for the 3/4-1 ton trucks and towing/hauling. I ended up with Rancho RS9000XL and was very happy with them at first...unfortunately they didn't hold up all that well so I won't be investing in them again either. If you don't want to spend the cash for Foxs (and I can understand that), you might want to consider the Rancho RS7MT...those are getting really good reviews. The Bilstein 4600 is a great shock for a 1/2-ton but the 5100 is just not right.

 

[Gangly]

Check out Eibachs. I installed mine 80K+ miles ago and they have been terrific. I have a spare set to put on when they wear out, but even after 80K+ miles they are still great and don't need replacing yet.

 

[mavox]

Check out Eibachs. I installed mine 80K+ miles ago and they have been terrific. I have a spare set to put on when they wear out, but even after 80K+ miles they are still great and don't need replacing yet.

What sort of height adjustment can you do with those? Can you raise the front?

I have heard these ride better then the 5100s or Ranchos