Driver Side Lean After Bilstein 5100 and Rear Spring Lift

I've driven about 2500 miles since installing my lift, and now that the suspension has had plenty of time to settle, I have about a 1/2" lean to the drivers side both front and rear regardless of amount of fuel in the tank.

The lift is Bilstein 5100 F/R and a set of Bilstein B12 rear 1" springs ( p/n BIL36-281817).

I'd like to correct the lean for both aesthetics and to see if that allows me to get a little more caster before I throw a set of upper control arms at it

Measurements are as follows (fender to center of hub)

DF 21 5/8"
DR 23 1/2"
PF 22"
PR. 24"

Couple of questions for the suspension gurus

1. Are the Bilstein rear springs side specific? Could it be that I need to swap them left to right?

2. If not the rear springs, how would you address the lean? Would you put a 1/2" spacer in the rear driver's side or a 1/4 (or less) spacer in the front driver's side, or spacers on both front and rear driver's side?

 

The Bilstein shocks and/or springs are not side specific. The lean is common due to all the weight on the driver's side (battery, fuel tank, driver, ect...) and happens with even the stock suspension. A 1/4" spacer (which will give you about a 1/2" of lift) on the driver side front will take care of your issue easily or you can either raise the drivers or lower the passenger side spring mounting position by 1 notch on your 5100's. Taking care of the front lean will help/ lessen the rear as well...

 

Thanks. I'm definitely glad the springs are not side specific. I know some other lift springs are, so I wanted to be sure I didn't miss anything. I didn't remember seeing different part numbers or indicators on the springs when I installed them.

Ultimately, it looks like I need to come up with a spacer plan as the 5100s increments are too big. I'd definitely do the spring perch if I had gone with the 6112s.

Any recommendations on a ,25 front spacer? I'd prefer a poly spacer but willing to look at all options

 

If you put 50ish pounds on the passenger side does it balance it out? If so, a dual battery kit or battery relocate kit might fix it. If that is something already on your to-do list, might be worth moving up on the list to avoid spacers, especially on the front.

 

I have very similar set up
Billies 5100 with b12 coios in rear.

Use OME 10MM SPACER IN REAR TO CORRECT LEAN.

 

@BionicRandy - unfortunately, the lean is without me in the driver's seat. I outweigh my wife by about 75lbs so even when she goes with me, I'll be adding more weight to the drivers a de, making it worse. Without her, I'm adding about 180 to the drivers side.

@Stuffy - this is what I was originally thinking of doing. Think it's what I'm gonna do.

 

I placed the spacer on the driver side rear bc it is easier to install. I think there is less than half inch deference between both sides

 

Awesome. I bought my current 4Runner with a dealer installed front spacer lift…my first spacer experience. Not a fan. I have a Bilstein Stage 2 kit sitting in my shop right now. I’m just waiting for my UCAs to arrive (hopefully today!), thus my interest in this thread in case I end up with a lean. ✌️

 

3" spacer lift? No wonder you're not a fan. I'm surprised a dealer would even do that.

 

Toytec, Dobinson's, Cornfed and OME all make a spacer that will correct your lean. Costs is $24-50 depending on which one you get. 10mm is about 3/8" so its about 5/8-3/4 of a lift on the one side. Very common to do this on Taco's and 4runners. Even more so with vehicles with KDSS from what I hear and read.

 

I ordered the OME 10mm spacer for the rear driver's side spring. Being in the rear, it should give me about 1:1 lift so I am expecting about 10mm. That should even out the rear (and maybe give a little bit of correction to the front) Once I install it, I'll post the new measurements so others can know what to expect.

 

Did you ever ask Bilstein about this - think that would have been my first step after discovering the issue.

 

Lean is an extremely common issue regardless of brand. Not the manufacturers fault. These things just have a lean. I’ve had it on every 4Runner with or without kdss as well as the gx470 I had built.

I personally used 2 of the OME trim packers on the rear left. As have a panhard correction kit used to make the panhard bar level and still had lean. The trim packer is your best option and should solve the issue.

 

I believe Bilstein recommends 1 clip setting lower on the passenger side to correct the lean in the front. And most other companies recommend adding a rear spacer as well. But that is with KDSS.
I dont have KDSS on my SR5, an .215 plate made by a buddy on the driver's side front and nothing in the rear. With my 2" spacer lift, I am 1/4' different in the front and about 1/8" in the rear with a half full tank and the wife in the seat. It just the way Toyota did their layout. All the heavy equipment is on the drivers side.
My 03 Tundra with 310K m iles is about 1.5 inches off with a full tank and my fat ass on the ground

 

If you take the crown in the road into consideration, then it will be level while driving as it is right now.

If you add a spacer to correct the lean, it will now lean while you're driving

 

By golly your right.Just talked me out of putting a spacer in.
Got a Dobinson lift that has the lean but actually it's perfect the way it is!