Bilstein 6112

The coil preloads are different whether you use one spacer or a higher notch setting on the driver's side shock.

Both the higher notch setting or the spacer method accomplish the same thing, only difference is the higher notch setting on the shock preloads the coil from the bottom and a spacer preloads the coil from the top. Either method accomplishes the same thing, it raises the truck slightly more.

Tacomas have more weight on the driver side due to the battery and fuel tank. Therefore the driver side requires slightly more preload to raise the truck a quarter inch to level it with the passenger side.

 

Negative, the spacers used on the 6112 are not preload spacers, they are top hat spacers that go above the perch. So they don’t touch the spring at all. But I do know about the spring preload spacers you’re referring to

 

I'm referring to the spacers that are placed on top of the top hat before the strut assy is mounted to the truck. Wheeler's offers them in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2".

 

I have to respectfully disagree. The shock is there only to dampen the ride by absorbing shock, the coils carry the preload.

Bilsteins recommended one notch setting higher on the driver's side will not will not affect shock dampening or its performance. The coils carry the loads, the shocks are there to dampen any shock the coils receive. One notch setting won't change the ride or performance.

You can call Bilstein on this. Either a. 25" spacer or one notch setting set higher essentially accomplish the same thing. Either method to correct the Taco lean is fine.

 

Here’s the issue. Even a one notch setting changes the length of the shock itself as it sits. So the shock length being extended even slightly, will change the oil flow during movement. Which in part is why people describe harsher rides when moving up a notch or two. So essentially you’d have one shock short than the other, even if by an inch. Which will overall affect how the Shock travels in relation to the opposite side. If you look at the 6112s as a whole, they don’t have dramatic amounts of shock travel as it is. So changing the shock length by adding spring preload has to change the shock travel on the drivers side.

 

Increasing the notch setting is not enough to be an issue. The drivers side strut assy carry a heavier load anyways. If one wants a level truck then the drivers side coil has to be moved upwards. It's simple physics.

The 6112s are a proven shock/coil combination. Mine rides great set at 4/3 and a friend has older 6112s at 6/5 and he has no complaints.

I just don't see alot of complaints regarding the Bilstein 6112s, just a few folks splitting hairs with misinformation and expecting their 4WD trucks to ride like a Cadillac.

 

Gotta agree there

 

Same here.

 

I believe the lean correction on different notches thing is Bilsteins quick fix so customers don't have to go out and worry about adding other things to their suspension. Buy this and do what we say, it's fine. Lol
One notch is approx. 1/2 inch I think. Don't think that's enough to cause much of a difference in the grand scheme.

 

changing the notch setting does not change the length of the shock. Just simply preloads the spring more or less. Adding a top spacer pushes the shock down without adjusting the spring preload, effectively adjusting the travel range. But 1/4" as I have is minimal. Either way gives it lift but in different ways. One notch or 1/4" is again minimal. Just dont tell Bilstein you used a spacer if your looking for a warranty claim FYI.

 

For those people looking for 6112s....
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ebay-bilstein-6112-on-sale-for-549.608525/#post-20580428

 

I’ve set my 6112s on the 2nd notch. Should I add a 1/4” spacer on the driver side coilover to avoid the taco-lean? I’ll be installing them in a few weeks. My 2013 is a 4x4 truck, FYI.

 

I did a spacer and most shops will say a spacer is the proper way to go. Some members on here are using one notch higher on driver's side. It's your call.

 

Hmmmmm.... I guess I’ll order a spacer.

For the leafs, I’ll be installing General Spring KC HD springs. I’ve read these leafs will help with the Taco-lean

 

Most shops say? I doubt it. NAME ONE SHOP, I'LL WAIT...

Why don't you call Bilstein or recommend someone call them. Instead of instructing people to improperly install these shocks/coils. Spacers are not the proper fix for these. Read the instructions from Bilstein. A spacer is a complete waste of money and not how Bilstein designed this shock to be installed.

 

Don't install a spacer. Bilstein instructions say to have driver side 1 notch higher than passenger side. Spacer is waste of money. Call Bilstein USA they will tell you.

 

Dude, slow down and read the above post. Bilstein DID NOT design them that way. If they were designed that way, they would be build from the start to factor in the lean. Them telling people to use a different notch is simply a quick fix. Directly from the mouth of a Bilstein rep “we know some people have the lean, some don’t. For the ones that do, we recommend just setting the drivers side to a higher notch”.

 

Thought about taking my drivers side spacer out and dropping the passenger a notch.
Maybe I'll do that this summer.

 

You and I already went back and forth brotha, in this thread. Did you forget already??

Pretty sure we don't need to go around again. Good day sir!!

 

You gotta be kidding, Bilstein warranty doesn’t even cover “off road use”