Does anyone have any tips or advice for installing 1.5" lift (Bilstein 5100's)?

Does anyone have any experience or tips to share from lifting their 2016 Taco?

My plan is to use the Bilstein 5100 adjustable up front set to 1.55" and the standard Bilstein 5100's in the rear with 1.5" lift blocks.

I have seen a few trucks in this thread with 1.5" lifts that looked really good, I just want to change mine enough to get rid of the totally stock look and 1.5" seemed to be enough to do that without impacting ride quality and costing an arm.

BTW, the people at HeadStrong off-road were awesome about answering my questions and giving some advice, I will likely get my kit from them.

Would love to get any pointers from your experience if you have something good to share.

Thanks,

 

You might want to consider some OME springs. The truck will ride stiffer when you preload the factory spring.

 

I would not use blocks. I cant count how many times I have seen people post here that they will never run blocks again and that it was a huge mistake. Spend a couple hundred bucks and get the 3 leaf progressive AAL. While you are there pick up the superbumps and all pro ubolt flip kit. Do it right the first time.

 

Call wheelers they're in Grant's Pass. They will hook you up with the right knowledge and parts. Do you plan to Offroad your truck? What is your budget? Are you going to install it or are you going to pay a shop to install it?

 

I used the super spring in the back and it looks good & rides nice.

 

Headstrong is good too but they don't sell the super bumps so you can get those from wheelers

 

You could do a 1/2" spacer for the rear from Toytec. With the 1.5" setting on the Bils it should be level that way, with less axle wrap than a larger block.

 

If I could go back I would definitely run ome springs on 5100's and at least run a single leaf "progressive 3 leaf would be best" instead of blocks and Eibach lift coils. I still had to pre load them and I wasn't very satisfied with the ride. I'm just saying do it right so you don't have to tear it apart again and spend more money to make it right for you in the long run.

 

No issues with the same set up you're looking to do.

It's your truck it's your money.

Lots of guys running 5100's on here.

Higher up you go the more likely issues with driveline. ECGS bushing worst case senario. Also you might need to do old man emu carrier drop.

Enjoy.

Btw I've seen complaints on icon add a leaf without overload left in. Sags with a tissue box in the back. Are the words I read. Then also saw those same icons for sale later on Craigslist.

 

Thanks a lot to everyone giving their input on this. I think I am still pretty comfortable in going with the 1.5" lift using 5100's all the way around and 1.5" lift blocks in the rear. I don't do any serious off-roading, just some fire break roads and some off the grid roads to access remote camping or backpacking. I don't tow anything and I don't normally haul heavy loads so I am not too concerned about axle wrap with only 1.5" blocks in the rear. My ultimate goal is to make the truck look a little higher than stock and to fit a +2 size tire.

 

I am running 1.5" Progressive 3-leaf Add-a-leaf from wheelers. Should be made by deaver, same as the Icon 3-leaf AAL. No issues with sagging here. Several other guys are running the same with no sagging issues. Now if you start loading a lot of weight in the rear, (heavy bumper, topper, RTT etc) you may sag some? Guy who left overload leaf in say it rides like shit....too harsh

 

I know you think you'll be fine with rear blocks but don't do it. Even a single leaf AAL will get you 1.5", doesn't cost much more than blocks and will function a lot better.

 

Just be prepared to possibly have to install an ECGS bushing in the front diff. I got vibrations right away after only a 3/4" lift in the front.

 

How much lift did you actually get in the rear with an empty bed?

 

About 1.75

 

Correct. Mine vibrated immediately after lifting the same day as I drove for first time with only 1.5" up front. It doesn't always happen right away sometimes it could be 10k miles or 10 feet....

 

Thanks, still on the fence on how to get the rear up about 2 inches without a block, the overload in or single AAL. Longbed truck will keep the bedbox with 100 lbs of crap so I think with just the 3 leaf progressive I would see 1.5 max, front will go up 1.5 so I want to recover some of the rake.

Truck sits almost level now with the added weight and length on stock suspension.


Any recommendations without going to a custom full leaf?

 

8 leaf from wheelers

 

So a lift (could)cause a constant maintenance of replacing the bushing or is it a replace it when it goes bad and you should be good for 10+ thousands of miles?

 

Wait a minute you lifted smitty?!!!