Pairing aftermarket springs (length/rate) with Bilstein 5100 struts
06-28-2018, 09:19 PM
#21
Flaccid Member
Thread Starter
Ahh, OK. Easier, I don't much care about, since I'm installing the struts one way or the other. Either I load them with OEM springs, or some to-be-determined aftermarket springs. Makes no difference from a labor standpoint.
06-29-2018, 03:22 PM
#22
Flaccid Member
Thread Starter
I talked to Dave at Eibach this morning. Even after a pretty in-depth conversation, this is still as clear as mud to me. What it comes down to is this... I'm looking for someone to fill this blank:
"Using a longer spring with the 5100 set at 0" is better than using the stock spring with the 5100 set at 0" plus a spacer on top because _________________." The answer Dave gave is, spring rate. The Eibach gives an additional 10+% of stiffness. But that's not really the answer. What if the springs had the same k?
I don't get it, and maybe I never will. It makes sense that Eibach is a better spring for me because it's stouter. But I can't isolate why a longer spring is better than a spacer. I think if the Eibach would give me closer to 2" of lift, I'd probably just shut my mouth, buy the set and not care. But it's likely going to be slightly higher, and I'm already high enough up front. I have about 1.5" of rake, and I'm good with that. Plus... I genuinely want to know the answer.
Anyone wanna buy me a 12k winch to get my front end down some more?
"Using a longer spring with the 5100 set at 0" is better than using the stock spring with the 5100 set at 0" plus a spacer on top because _________________." The answer Dave gave is, spring rate. The Eibach gives an additional 10+% of stiffness. But that's not really the answer. What if the springs had the same k?
I don't get it, and maybe I never will. It makes sense that Eibach is a better spring for me because it's stouter. But I can't isolate why a longer spring is better than a spacer. I think if the Eibach would give me closer to 2" of lift, I'd probably just shut my mouth, buy the set and not care. But it's likely going to be slightly higher, and I'm already high enough up front. I have about 1.5" of rake, and I'm good with that. Plus... I genuinely want to know the answer.
Anyone wanna buy me a 12k winch to get my front end down some more?
06-29-2018, 03:35 PM
#23
I talked to Dave at Eibach this morning. Even after a pretty in-depth conversation, this is still as clear as mud to me. What it comes down to is this... I'm looking for someone to fill this blank:
"Using a longer spring with the 5100 set at 0" is better than using the stock spring with the 5100 set at 0" plus a spacer on top because _________________." The answer Dave gave is, spring rate. The Eibach gives an additional 10+% of stiffness. But that's not really the answer. What if the springs had the same k?
I don't get it, and maybe I never will. It makes sense that Eibach is a better spring for me because it's stouter. But I can't isolate why a longer spring is better than a spacer. I think if the Eibach would give me closer to 2" of lift, I'd probably just shut my mouth, buy the set and not care. But it's likely going to be slightly higher, and I'm already high enough up front. I have about 1.5" of rake, and I'm good with that. Plus... I genuinely want to know the answer.
Anyone wanna buy me a 12k winch to get my front end down some more?
"Using a longer spring with the 5100 set at 0" is better than using the stock spring with the 5100 set at 0" plus a spacer on top because _________________." The answer Dave gave is, spring rate. The Eibach gives an additional 10+% of stiffness. But that's not really the answer. What if the springs had the same k?
I don't get it, and maybe I never will. It makes sense that Eibach is a better spring for me because it's stouter. But I can't isolate why a longer spring is better than a spacer. I think if the Eibach would give me closer to 2" of lift, I'd probably just shut my mouth, buy the set and not care. But it's likely going to be slightly higher, and I'm already high enough up front. I have about 1.5" of rake, and I'm good with that. Plus... I genuinely want to know the answer.
Anyone wanna buy me a 12k winch to get my front end down some more?
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Kyfrmhardaway (03-31-2021)
06-29-2018, 05:25 PM
#24
Flaccid Member
Thread Starter
The following users liked this post:
Kyfrmhardaway (03-31-2021)
06-29-2018, 07:23 PM
#25
Senior Member
The only applicable product I'm seeing is this one. I'm not sure how that achieves what I'm looking to do.
HDPP springs might be an option, too; they have a 633 lb/in rating compared to the 513 or 553 lb/in rating on the non-HDPP heavy-duty springs, but I believe you'd need to continue using the spacers for that ride height.
06-29-2018, 07:52 PM
#26
Flaccid Member
Thread Starter
That's a good idea. I don't think I'd save any $$ getting HDPP springs vs Eibachs, but at least I could be sure about ride height. Hmm. Thanks for the suggestion.
EDIT: Actually... Tasca has part # FL3Z-5310-M listed for $34.06 each! They're marked with FL34-5310-Y*, which is what the HDPP front coil spring is as listed in this thread. So if I want to keep the spacers... this is the way to go.
Now if I'm going to go with Eibachs... I need a really good reason not to use spacers. We're only talking about a $70 price difference, but I want some technical justification to get lift from springs instead of spacers. So far I don't have it.
EDIT: Actually... Tasca has part # FL3Z-5310-M listed for $34.06 each! They're marked with FL34-5310-Y*, which is what the HDPP front coil spring is as listed in this thread. So if I want to keep the spacers... this is the way to go.
Now if I'm going to go with Eibachs... I need a really good reason not to use spacers. We're only talking about a $70 price difference, but I want some technical justification to get lift from springs instead of spacers. So far I don't have it.
Last edited by DeltaNu1142; 06-29-2018 at 08:11 PM.
06-29-2018, 08:41 PM
#27
With a spacer you are theoretically lengthening the shock without any additional up travel. You are just moving your shock down x amount of inches. Which then equates to x amount of additional down travel on the shock due to the new location from the spacer . This puts more stress on components over time if you Offroad. With a stiffer spring you keep the same length shock and travel but have just adjusted your static ride height upwards due to the spring not compressing. However you are not adjusting the up or down travel of the shock or changing the geometry of the travel of the shock itself. At least this is how I understand it.
06-29-2018, 09:03 PM
#28
Flaccid Member
Thread Starter
Well, that's one of the things I asked Eibach: am I getting more travel with a longer spring? It stands to reason, but I never got a simple "yes," or even a "yes" with conditions.
06-29-2018, 09:07 PM
#30
Flaccid Member
Thread Starter
I think I need some comparative sketches of the suspensions to get this.
EDIT: OK, I've read your post a few times, and I think this is making more sense to me now. Thanks.
EDIT: OK, I've read your post a few times, and I think this is making more sense to me now. Thanks.
Last edited by DeltaNu1142; 06-29-2018 at 09:14 PM.