3rd gen lift questions... how does this sound?

I have a 2018 DCSB OR with the following weight additions/distribution:

• Front: Group 31 battery in stock location on the driver side, no other additions
• Cab: ARB 50 qt Fridge in the back seat on the drivers side
• Back: About 3-400 pounds full time: tonneau, cross bars, Mt Shasta Summit RTT, misc gear

I'm considering buying a 5100/885 lift with a medium dakar leaf pack in hopes of getting around a 1.75" lift front and back (after weight is added to the back). My hesitation is that I don't see anybody else running this combo as most go for the 887 and are trying to push for a 3" lift.

The ECGS bushing is on my list. I'll have shims at the ready and I'll probably just expect to install the carrier bearing drop kit, but I'm not planning to replace my stock UCAs or brake lines.

Does this lift sound like it will match my expectations? How will these components settle out over time?

Oh, also, I'll be running 265/75r16 BFG KO2's on stock wheels.

-------------------------------

Other annoying questions that I came up with in my research on lift kits:

1. I understand the difference between progressive and digressive. I often read you guys state that being digressive is the reason ICON provides a less comfortable ride than Fox. That said, Bilstein's are also digressive and people seem to love them. Why is being digressive a strike against ICON, but not for Bilstein? How do these two shocks compare? I was very close to pulling the trigger on an ICON setup primarily because of the easy adjustment, but then I read peoples opinion on ICON ride quality and I shied away.

2. Why is it that ICON's can be adjusted while installed on the truck yet Fox and others can't? Are ICON's threads not as vulnerable to damage as the others?

3. Since the lift specs for Fox coilovers are based on 05+ (2nd gen) Tacoma, does that mean the standard coilover is only good for a -1 to +1" lift on 3rd gens? That would make the extended travel Fox coilover good only for -1 to +2" lift...are UCA's still necessary?

 

The love for the 5100s in particular, IMHO, is based on .............

They are budget friendly.

They are firmer than OE shocks, giving street heavy users a bit more stable ride.

The spring perch selection on the front shocks allows for cheap lift via spring preload.

Quick question. How is the 'taco lean' on your truck? It's typically driver side heavy, blamed on the gas tank. With your buffed up battery and fridge, I'm wondering if it's notably worse than it was?

 

If your going 5100's in the rear, think you have to replace the brake lines (at least I did when i installed 5100's a couple weeks ago). it was really easy to do. I did Dakar HD's on the rear and love the drive.

 

So Bilsteins and ICONs would ride similarly firm? Am I avoiding ICON's and going with Bilstein only to end up with the same issues?

To be honest, the battery isn't installed yet, but is waiting for me to pick it up, so I can't tell you about the lean. I can say that with a loaded fridge on my stock suspension, I haven't noticed any apparent lean. If only the split bench had been the other way, with the single seat on the passenger side. I'm not super fond of having everything on the drivers side.

 

Yeah, I should probably do those. You're right.

 

I have icons and the heavy Dakar pack and I love it. They are a firm ride, if you like that you’ll be happy.

If you want a soft plushy ride then Kings is probably a good choice for you.

Budget friendly, 5100’s do just fine. I had them on my last truck and loved them too.

Whatever you choose, I’d still recommend you get the heavy leaf pack. You can always remove a leaf if it’s too much. But if the medium duty isn’t enough for the weight you want to carry, it’s more expensive to get the AAL and turn it into the heavy pack.

 

Yeah, I think I'll pick up the heavy leaf pack because in a few years I plan to beef this suspension up even further for a camper and I'll need that extra leaf. But for now I definitely plan to run it medium. While I'm only running a tent, my goal is to get the minimum lift necessary while replacing the stock leaf pack. I have fully decided against using an AAL.

 

Any 3rd Gen'ers running 885's with the medium OME leaf pack (as opposed to the AAL)?