Couple questions before I order Bilstein lift

Hey all - I was hoping to bounce a few ideas off of you. Ive searched for as much info as I can, and I wanted to double check before I hit 'checkout'. I've gone through some build threads, and I think I'm down to what I need.

The truck:
2017 DCSB TRD OR auto.

The owner:
I'm a mechanic. I'll do the install myself.

The plan:
Lift truck, run 285's (hopefully 285/75/16, but will go with 285/70/16 if need be).
Won't tow often. Will rarely have heavy loads in bed. Used as a daily, off roading and camping. Want to keep a slight rake.

The parts in question:
Bilstein B8 6112 front kit
Bilstein

$471 B8 5100 Series Set of Front & Rear Shocks fits 1996 2004 Tacoma with 1-1.5" Lift | TrendsAuto Decal | 24-249928 33-247724 33-247717

B8 5100 rear shocks (for 0-1" lift)


The questions:
- Should I go with an add-a-leaf, and if so, what add-a-leaf should I run?
- Will that 5100 rear shock be long enough?
- I expect to need extended rear brake lines. Anything else I'm forgetting?

Thanks in advance guys, I appreciate all the info you've put up here!

 

I believe there's a different length 5100 for lifts over 1". I would look into those depending on what AAL or leaf pack you go with.

@HeadStrong Off-Road

 

5100 extended all around with ome 886 coils and ome aal and cmc

 

Check out the progressive 3 leaf aal from wheelers off road or toyteckifts.

Also Marie from headstrong is awesome and can help you out with anything you need.

 

Why 5100's all around ? Would the 6112 -5160's rear be better as they are much bigger struts and shocks ,
Just asking

 

Depending on what you set the front shocks you may or may not need an aal to even it out. Installed on lowest setting raised my front about 3/4". As mentioned the rears have different lengths. 0-1" fine if you are keeping the front on a low setting and not doing aal. 0-2" 5160 are what im running with hs aal. Gave me about 2" lift

 

5160's also come with extended brake lines, FWIW.

 

5160s are valved to compliment the 6112s. Do not put 5100s on your truck. See the 6112 lift write up linked in my sig below. You'll thank me later. Spend the extra time and cash to do it right the first time. You will be really glad you did.

 

Brake line extension block. Not lines unless they changed recently

 

They didn't change. It's just an extension "bracket" to raise the lines up a bit.

 

Why 886's? He has a 3rd gen. 887 for no front weight, ie bumper n winch, and 888 for front end weight.

 

oops, I guess I read that wrong back when I was looking. Thanks!

I wonder if they include those in the full kit that was recently added, but I do not see anything on headstrong's website about that.

 

If anything youd need longer parking brake cables before youd need to replace the center brake hose because the entension block isnt enough.

Basically no entended line isnt needed unless were getting crazy with chevy 63 swap or something, maybe a dakars. But at that point id hope someone could figure that out if they are that serious. Dont think ive seen anyone talk about extended center line when lifting.

 

It's recommended to replace both rear brake lines when lifting. You could put a poor mans extender, but why not upgrade to stainless braided front and rear. No need for longer e brake cable til you go pasta certain amount of droop, and at that point all that's needed is a bracket extender for where the cable attaches to the front shackle point.

 

I read your write up, but obviously I missed that about the rear shocks. Your write up was actually what steered me away from the 5100's in the front. Thank you sir.
I suppose what threw me off was the bilstein website, it shows the 5160's as having remote reservoirs - and I didn't think I needed that much shock. Am I missing something here, or should I go with these?

 

Have you ever looked under your truck? Lifted a tacoma? Not trying to be an ass but theres a center hose that goes into the rear distribution block on your axle. From that block 2 lines run across the axle to each wheel. This line is already steel and does not need to be extended unless you are running a wider rear axle.

There is literally no reason to replace a steel hardline with a braided steel line. The tension from lift (more from down droop but i wont get into that) will be on your 2 rear parking brake cables and the center brake hose

 

Ok went out to my truck to grab a pic. Note all steel after the center hose. You can see how tight the cables are woth only about 2" lift. No tension on brake lines though because they are mounted to the axle

 

5100s ride great. Way better than stock. I have the 3rd gens adjustable in front and the extended length in the rear. If you can swing it, I'm sure the 6112's are worth the money. They were just more shock than I needed to take peoples moms to the mall for dippin dots. I'm also running the poor mans brake line extension/reocation kit in the back. I have the stainless extended lines in the front, maybe someday I'll upgrade the rear lines.

Definitely talk to Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road and she'll get you right on the money.

 

Ok, not being an ass, but have you been under your truck, or lifted a Tacoma? There are two, soft, brake lines, coming from the frame, to the axle. Then, there is your speed sensor cable in the center. Then, on each side, there is your e brake cable. If you have only a single soft hydraulic brake line coming from your frame to your axle on your Taco, I'm gonna need a pic to believe it.

 

You have your e brake bracket upside down, that's why there's so much tension.