Bilstein 6112

Guess I better put on some good tunes and get the curse jar out 'cause I'm going to need it ha ha.

Would it be dumb or bad to do some small relief cuts in the sheet metal to make bending it out of the way easier?

 

I just did this over the weekend. On my truck, the passenger side required more bending. I used channel locks and linemen’s plyers to bend as much as I could, then used a punch and a small hammer to drive the bolt out as it scrapped along the sheet metal on the fender well. Be careful with the ABS wire and the wire loom. I used a series of different length punches and small hammer to drive those bolts back in. Take extra time to thread the bolt in between the ABS wire and the fender well on the driver’s side and the transmission cooling lines on the passenger side when putting it back in. Once done, I bent the metal back in shape as best I could and threw some paint on it...

 

You honestly wouldn't need to cut at all. I personally wouldn't think 3rd gen installs are any more technical than 2nd gens, other than extra intake-related equipment shrouding up the P-side. Tackle that UCA. A lot of us will definitely chime in.

As for the 6112s, they ride so much smoother than stock OR. Not sure if the coils are progressive or linear. 2nd gen on the 4th notch, 1/4" spacer on D/S, Camburg UCA with MOOG B/Js, 5160 rear shocks, and EL096R Dakars. Light trail riding here in CO paired with the 6112/5160 is definitely the secret sauce. I got so excited to wheel that I forgot to air down. They still rode quite well!

 

It definitely helps to enlist someone to wedge a pry bar between the through bolt and metal lining as it doesn't require the through bolt top to scrap the metal lining. I used the lower C/O bolt to punch the through bolt out. The length was sufficient and did not require much punch force. The initial pry bar-wedge method is only necessary for the flanged top nut of the through bolt so that it clears the metal lining. The rest will just pop out. Enjoy a beer immediately after you get that bolt out.

Separately, that set up is real nice. I wanted to go the 8112 route as well, but couldn't justify the cost since the truck is 70/30 on road/off road.

 

What were your alignment numbers after your lift? Would you be concerned with a .38 degree thrust angle?

 

I've got 0.4 camber/2.5 caster/0.06 toe (on both sides) with a -0.06 thrust angle in the rear. I cant quite tell exactly what are negligible thrust angle numbers are for our trucks, but I would definitely get that checked out from the last people who did you alignment. It also depends on your other alignment numbers with the thrust angles, as they may have counterbalanced that issue with your front alignment numbers.

 

@Arrieta578

Check this post out https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ng-thrust-angle-what-can-you-do.470793/page-2

 

Originally, I had + .3 and + .2 camber with + 4.1 caster on both sides. The toe was - 1.14 and -1.16. The tech dialed back the caster to +2.8 on both sides, +.4 and +.5 camber and +.02 toe on both sides. He made no attempt to adjust the thrust angle.

 

Those are good numbers. The thrust angle is an imaginary perpendicular line that runs through the middle of the car and measures how much the rear axle protrudes to the left or right of the truck. Based quick research and a little math background, your thrust angle may be negligible and within specs. The techs will not touch any alignments with our trucks since you cant adjust much (unless you start fine tuning how your drive shaft sits in relation to you axle, the leaf springs on the axle, etc.)

 

Ok. That’s good to hear. I spoke to Camburg and they told to tell the tech next time not to dial back the caster.

 

I’ve been considering this same setup except a 3 leaf aal in the rear. We’re you expecting +3.25” in the front? The chart I’m looking at says 2.5”on the 5th notch. I currently have a 1” rake with my stock suspension so was planning 6112 on 5th notch (+2.5” in front)with 5160 and 3 leaf aal in rear with overload left in (+2” in rear) which would theoretically still give me ~1/2” rake. Am I on the right track or did I miss something? Still very new at this.

Also does having the 6112 set at top notch affect ride quality vs. stock or if it was set lower?

 

I know the 2nd gen 6112's sit higher than the 3rd gen 6112's and that's why I went with them. I wasn't sure what notch to go with so I decided to preload the springs and go with the 5th notch hoping for max lift out of them. I was pleasantly surprised to get 3.25" lift with them, but I assume that will go down with time as they settle. My overall goal was 3" with suspension and wheels/tires.

So far i have not noticed any ride quality changes for the worst. I think it rides better than stock. Softer and less floaty than the off road suspension so far. I read that people who were on the 4th notch felt that it rode like being on clouds, but so far I haven't felt any stiffness or comfort issues with my setup. The reason I went with leaf pack is because it was easier to install than doing an aal from what I have read and since I was so new to truck suspension, I wanted the easiest possible and I am so far real happy.

I have learned that lift kits is almost like politics or religion on here, everyone has their own opinion and not a lot of consensus ha ha.

 

Haha that is so true! Good to know regarding the ride quality. I never even considered it would be easier with the pack vs aal. This will be a first install for me so anthing to make things go smother helps. Thanks for the response!

 

Anytime. Overall, the leaf pack was a easy install. Couple gotcha moments, but that's only because I was only installing the leaf pack and not the shocks too. if you are doing shocks at the same time, leaf pack gets easier to install

 

I'm installing Saturday.

 

Does anybody have the 3rd gen 6112/5160 setup in stock?

 

I believe that question was answered/discussed a few pages back.

 

Nope.

 

2nd Gen on 1st notch front and 5160/tsb leafs in the rear

 

So they are installed and alignment done. Raised the truck back up to original lift height! It's a bit stiffer but I believe it will loosen up after the winch is added. Over all I am very pleased.