The Strengths (and Pitfalls) Of Bilstein 5100's

[TerryD]

So 5100's, 6112's, Rancho's, Dobison's, OME don't increase travel at all? Not even a little, with or without UCA's and/or spacers? (I get spacers don't add more travel but if you had a small spacer and UCA and a longer spring than stock wouldn't you gain travel in at least droop?) Another point not mentioned is if you have bigger tires that will rub at full compression a spacer might be the best way to go.

So the only option in existence not going long travel to increase travel are the extended Radflo's?

What is the difference between the extended Radflo's and non extended? I'm confused because both say up to 2.5" of travel...

My plan right now for a budget lift is 1/2" spacers giving me 1" of lift with 5100's or 6112's 1 up from the bottom setting and adjustable shackles in the rear set to 1" sense I don't have any extra weight in the back yet.

What is the best replacement top mount to get? OE? KYB? Also thinking about ADO UCA sense they are the cheapest and use stock bushings/ball joints unless I'm told the SPC's are that much better, I get they are adjustable but that just seems like an extra point of failure and they use proprietary ball joints.

I, like a lot of people dream about long travel and flying across the desert, soaking up big hits and I also like driving fast, the titan stuff all bolting up is very nice vs like a 4Runner where it all needs to be custom, but I also like fitting down jeep trails, seems like almost all the trails around here have tight spots I don't think I would fit through if I was 6" wider.

Even the Extended Rads are only like 1/4" longer than OE.

With my setup (1" lift spacer on Extended Rads) my UCAs still hit my inner fenders. I added longer bump stops to keep that from happening. I've considered lowering my preload and using the 2" lift spacers I have in the shop to make my full travel usable again but haven't gone through with it.

If you want longer travel, you have to do a Titan Swap.

And yes, the SPCs are worth the extra money IMO. I've not been easy on mine and they have about 50k miles on them. Just grease them with each oil change and after a hard off-road use and you'll be good. Plus the ball joint changes without a press or removing the UCAs so there's that.

Also, at OE width you can get your static ride height so high that you wind up wearing out the CVs and TREs quickly, so keep that in mind.

Hope that answered your questions!