Newbie question about Bilsteins...

I just purchased 2012 Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4, a few weeks ago, and want/need to upgrade and lift the suspension.

I've done a bit of research, but some questions remain unanswered. Maybe I'm bad at researching but...

So I want to put Bilstein 5100 Adjustables all around. I want to start with the front set at 1.75, and the rears set at 0, to level the truck.

My questions are:

if i just want to level the truck, is this setup good? what else do I need, new springs? or are just the shocks all I need?

If I want to raise the truck, and have the fronts set to 2.5, and the rears set to 1, do I need to add anything in the back?

any drawbacks to this setup?

Still somewhat confused by all this, and any help is very appreciated!

 

You don't get any lift from the rears. Hard to say what will level the truck with the info provided....do you have a shell or any additional weight?

 

No shell, I'm putting roll up tonneau cover on it this weekend. I won't carry anything heavy in the bed, mostly just luggage/gear. The suspension is all stock at the moment.

Let me know what other info is needed, and I will gladly provide it.

 

Step 1. Take tape measure, Measure center hub to fender on all 4, write down measurements.
Step 2. Determine difference between front measurements and rear.
Step 3. Set front 5100's to appropriate lift amount to get the desired amount of "level".


Personally I like some rake so my truck is actually usable and not funky looking with load in the bed but that is me.

 

Oh this makes sense. Thank you. So do I need to purchase anything other than the shocks themselves?

 

if you simply want to raise the front correct.

Shocks can not raise the rear.

 

I recently raised my front 5100s from .85 to 1.75 (stock height rear) and the truck sits pretty level. Certain angles it may look nose high and with a load in the bed you will have a bro lean since there isn't any more rake.

Pic for comparison.



Side shot @ 1.75

 

Thanks for the pics. It looks really good with the 1.75. I don't usually put anything over 100-200 lbs in the bed. Think bikes, luggage and gear for 2-4 skiers... I'm not moving motorcycles, or concrete, or anything like that, so I'm not really worried about bro lean with a load.

 

I also added a 1/4" spacer to the driver side this time to compensate for the taco lean (weight on the ds: gas, battery, etc) when I brought them up. There was a pretty significant height difference (.75 +/-) between the PS and DS without it at .85.
https://bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyo...MIkNr6janH2QIVyk29Ch1DIAriEAkYASABEgLNzvD_BwE

 

What configuration is your truck? My 2012 Access Cab 4x4 V6 got 2.5" of lift at the 1.75" setting.

And 200 pounds squats the rear more than you think. The rake on a stock truck is 2". When you're level with 200 pounds in the rear, your lights will be shining in birds' eyes.

 

here's what I did........5100s all four corners.......

fronts set on 3rd ring....lifted front 2"..........no rear lift/stock.........

all the average Joe needs......

rides Great !

 

This method presupposes the fender wells are the same size above the hubs when truck is level.
Is that the case, are the fender wells the same size above the hubs if the truck is level? Not being snarky, I'm new and dumb, trying to learn.

 

a leveld look is with the fender clearances the same front and rear.

Stock there is about a 2inch forward rake (2in lower in the front vs the rear)

 

Its a Double Cab Long Bed, TRD Sport 4x4.

Edit: I'm taking 4 people skiing this weekend, so I'll see how much the gear makes the bed sag.

 

You'll get the 1.75 ish then.

I think these trucks need a little rake to look right. When perfectly level, I felt like my nose looked higher.