Boss 2.0 or Bilstein 6112/5160 combo?

@Mountain 3leaf AAL and shocks are on the third setting. I didn't use the overload, you may need to.

 

No issues on the CV angles. Brake lines were stretched a little, however the extension bracket provided by Bilstein helped a lot.

 

oh, i didn't know it came with an extension bracket. Who did you buy the package from?

 

The extension bracket comes with the 5160 rear shocks from Bilstein, regardless of vendor. However I bought from Wheelers.

 

A couple questions for a newb.

1. I bought a 6112 kit from Amazon and I don't believe it came with a lean spacer. What is it and what does it do?
2. What is this spanner wrench you refer to? What is it for?
3. I plan on initially setting to 3rd notch. Do I need different UCAs or will stock UCAs be OK?
4. Do I need an alignment after installation?

Be nice, I'm newb to lift kits

 

Headstrong includes a spacer (I think it is 1/4 inch) that gets put in place above the driver side front shock, it is to account for the fact that the tacoma tends to have a slight lean or sag on the driver side due to the weight of the battery and gas tank. The spanner wrench is something that some adjustable shocks use to be able to turn the adjustment while they are on the truck (like the Toytec Boss shocks). With those types of shocks you can see the threads on the shock body. The 5100s are adjustable due to the notches but you have to remove them from the truck and move the clip to whatever notch you want and then put the shock back on the truck. I am not sure if you would need new UCAs because I have not installed a lift on my truck yet, but from what I have read I don't think you will need one if you aren't going more than 3" on the lift, but even 3" is pushing it because some people have had trouble getting an alignment after. I am going to go with 1.5-2" lift on my front. You will need an alignment after any lift installation.

 

THANK YOU for the very helpful information. So I don't need spanner wrench but I need to get a 1/4" spacer for my driver side strut, Because the 3rd notch on the 6112 is 1.5 - 1.75" I SHOULD be ok using OEM UCAs. Is that about right? Now I have seen a few people throw around replacing the spring for a heavier duty spring I guess, to account for the weight of armor. I guess the 6112 has a 600 lbs spring. Is this replaceable with a better spring? Someone mentioned OME might have a heavier duty spring. Or am I way off here

 

You can't match an OME spring to these.

Also the available springs aren't better or worse. I have a 600lb spring and for my truck it's fine. Add heavier bumpers and stuff you at want to bump it up

 

So how do I bump it up? Is there an available 700lbs coil from bilstein or do I just replace the strut/coil all together?

 

There are 2 other spring options for 6112's. You get the 600lb Spring but can buy a 650 and 700.

I don't think you can request a different Spring upfront. You have to buy them in addition.

I'd call headstrong or wheelers and talk to them

 

So I noticed after the fact that the bilstein 6112 are for 05-15 Tacoma. Will I have any issue with install on 2016?

 

No. They work just fine.

 

They bolt right up easily. I had wheeler's build my fronts with new caps and related hardware. You might want to get the 1/4" spacer for the "taco lean" though. The fronts should take less than 15 mins per corner and the rears about 10 mins. These were timed with no air tools and on second side of install.
Great combo for the 2016. One of the rear 5160's come with the extension spacer for the brake line and a longer bolt. The rears are side specific. I've got ~1200 miles on them now and love the ride. Looking into getting some AAL for the rears soon.

 

Thanks for the great information. I ordered mine off Amazon so I will have to reuse my top caps. After reading this thread I did order the 1/4" spacer for the driver side. Unleass the brake line spacer comes packaged with the Bilstein 5160 I doubt I'm getting that but I'm not raising the rear right now so I shouldn't have a problem right?

 

The block spacer DOES come with the 5160. The part #'s are left and right side specific. I forgot which package it comes in, but make sure you have two different part #'s for the rear. The 5160's are longer travel, so when "flexing" your rear solid axle, the side that gets the most extension will go lower because of the extra 1.5" of travel.. I believe it was 1.5". Therefore, it needs the spacer or you will tweak the brake hose or over stretch it.

FYI, if you don't lift the rear yet, leave the front at the lowest setting with the Bilstein 600# springs. It will lift it about 5/8-3/4" in front. Rears will not change with the 5160's.

Here's the Part #'s I got from my receipt for the rear 5160's.
Driver's side rear: 25-242379
Pass side rear: 25-242539
Front pair are the same 6112
46-241627

 

So I'm not lifting the rear yet and you said I should leave the 6112 at the first notch, why is this? I was originally planning on doing the 3rd notch to level the truck better.

 

You're gonna get the "bro lean". If that's what you want, then it'll be fine. The front will be much higher than the rear, as if you've got a heavy load in the bed. The preload changes also as you go higher on the perch as springs get more compressed.

Some people call it leveling based on the gap at the fender opening, but stand back and look at the body line horizontally. You can only level it so much before it has rearward rake, aka "bro lean".

 

I don't wanna be a bro so I guess first notch it is. Thanks for the useful information. Will stock UCA work OK at first notch? Eventually I want to get some Total Chaos UCAs when I lift it more but just asking for now.

 

Yes, zero issues with stock components, and sway bar relocation not even necessary. The first notch is not exactly what I'd call a "lift" as it's under an inch, but a wheel alignment is necessary. I'm fortunate to have a Hunter alignment machine at work and can align anytime I need, but it alignment was off compared to factory setting after the shock install. Pretty much anytime you remove suspension components in the front, alignments are recommended. It's possible to hold off on the rear, but it may "dog track" if you can't get the thrust angle sorted out.
I was told by wheeler's, when you max it out in height, is when you should consider the UCA upgrade.

 

Is the 'taco lean' a forward rake? When I eventually buy new suspension, I'd like to keep a *slight forward rake. Better visibility out front and looks a little more aggressive than leveling IMO