Suspension Upgrade Advice>> READ THIS

I install all of my parts in my shop at home and I have done pretty much all the research for this topic and just need a little more advice before I pull the trigger on a ton of parts.. I plan to order the following for my 2017 TRDOR that is currently on 265/75r16 KO2s...

1)

$141 24-263108 Bilstein 24263108 Shock Absorber

24-263108 Bilstein 5100 (FRONT) Bilstein 6112
2)

$111 24-186728 5100 Series Rear Shock fits 2005 2023 Tacoma 4WD with 0-1" Lift - Monotube Design, Fade Free Performance, Optimal Performance

24-186728 Bilstein 5100 (REAR) Bilstein 5160
3) 2887 OME Coil Spring Set Carrier Drop kit
4) 51100 Icon Progressive AAL Set
5) T8CS-BUSHING ECGS 8" Clamshell Bushing (Already ordered)

My overall goal is to get a little more clearance (I haven't fully decided on the suspension Fox/Billys/Icon but aiming for 2.25" front and 1.5" in the back) with the 887/5100 Coil pair for about 2-2.25" up front and about 1.5" in the rear with the progressive leaf set (overload removed). I already have the ECGS bushing and will be installing it when I get the suspension. Other than that I have a few questions that need to be answered before I go and place my order..

Post #23 contains all answers to my following questions!!
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1. I understand that the differential drop kit reduces the angle of the CV axles and eliminates premature wear. I have also seen many posts of installing this kit being detrimental. Such in the 2nd gen Tacoma it is frowned upon installing these drop kits due to its minimal enhancements vs the risk you are taking. I would prefer not to have that sort of risk and not have to install spacers just to have my OEM skid reattach after install (will be ditching the skid for aftermarket eventually. What is your advice on CV axle angles after this suspension install.

2. Should I be installing any sort of shims in the rear for this type of lift? I have little knowledge in this area of shimming the rear leafs. I know it is also to reduce the drive axle angle, but to what extent will it be needed.

3. I know every vehicle is different and may just have to find out later down the road but.. Are the oem brake lines on the Front/Rear sufficient for the suspension I am installing? Recommendations please.. Also what length for each or estimate.

4. After installing the suspension I know that there will be much more travel for the shocks and I have to make sure that I have bump stops that will accommodate for that. After ~2.25" in the front and ~1.5" in the rear, I don't think OEM bump stops will be sufficient from keeping the shocks from bottoming out.. Advice on this as well?

I have all the tools I will need for the install of the bushing, struts, coils, and leaf springs but just want to cover all the bases prior. Depending on how I'm feeling at the time of the order I may even just order some Fox or Icon instead. But for general reasons I plan to lift ~2.25" up front and ~1.5" in the back.

Please comment with suggestions, personal experiences, or even pictures!!

Ill go ahead and tag @HeadStrong Off-Road and @Wheeler's Off-Road Inc so I can hear their take on it as well!

 

Personally I'd spend the extra cash and get 6112's for the front and 5160's for the rear. That's just me.

 

Quite frankly I have been looking into those and may end up ordering those, I am not really locked into just the 5100, I just used them for an example/reference.

 

I did this install about a month ago, I'm very happy with the price point and the performance so far.

 

Any advice on any of the criteria I gave on the post?

 

I'd order from headstrong Offroad. They seem to have the best pricing and customer service imo.

 

I personally used differential drop spacers because my cv angles were too severe. It is fully protected with steel IFS skid plate. I also did a boot slide mod to improve fin clearance. They are fairly cheap so I would order one incase u need it.
Most common shim used is 3* to adjust driveline angle. If I had to guess , this is what you will need.
The rear should be extended at least +2” but will not impede the install.
I would recommend a ubolt flip kit with superbumps for more ground clearance and taller softer bumps. I believe they are 4.5” but can be fine tuned with spacers during articulation.
I would also recommend getting an angle finder and a carrier bearing drop kit to alleviate any driveline issues. Good luck I hope this helps some

 

Awesome, that's the kind of info im looking for. Any personal experience with the shims on yours or the carrier bearing drop ?

 

I'd plan on a carrier bearing drop and start with a 3* shim for the rear. Get the shim kit from headstrong which makes it super simple to swap out if you need a different degree. Both those items cost ~$25 total, you may not need either but I'm guessing you'll need both. I'd skip the front diff drop, not worth it IMO.

 

I’m pretty sure most everyone gets the OME part # FK29 carrier bearing drop kit. You can always fine tune with a couple of washers ,depending on what your angle meter is reading. But I would install as is along with a 3* shim and use that as a foundation. Then if u have any vibes you can fine tune depending on your angle readings. It is fairly simple and there are great threads to learn from

 

Solid advice with the open notched shims

 

I am running 6112s at the 5th setting and 5160s in the rear with the Icon 1.5" progressive AAL without the overload leaf. I am just over 2" of lift in the front and 1.5" in the rear. I did not install a front diff drop, carrier bearing drop nor axle shims. I have zero vibes.

On my previous 3rd gen, I used a spacer to achieve 2" front lift and tapered blocks for 1" rear lift. That truck also had no diff or carrier bearing drop but the rear blocks had a 3° taper. It had rear axle vibes.

Your best bet is to install a quality kit and see how it drives. Don't stress about fixing vibration issues until you have them.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys!

Everyone check out the poll as well

 

Give us a call and we will be glad to help you with your questions here!

 

Thanks! Will do

 

My main goal is achieving about 2 ish inches in the front and 1.5 inches in the back. I listed the combinations that I want to choose from in the poll! But my MAIN objective of this thread is to get advice on the alterations required to the vehicle POST lift. Thanks guys

 

1. I understand that the differential drop kit reduces the angle of the CV axles and eliminates premature wear. I have also seen many posts of installing this kit being detrimental. Such in the 2nd gen Tacoma it is frowned upon installing these drop kits due to its minimal enhancements vs the risk you are taking. I would prefer not to have that sort of risk and not have to install spacers just to have my OEM skid reattach after install (will be ditching the skid for aftermarket eventually. What is your advice on CV axle angles after this suspension install.

2. Should I be installing any sort of shims in the rear for this type of lift? I have little knowledge in this area of shimming the rear leafs. I know it is also to reduce the drive axle angle, but to what extent will it be needed.

3. I know every vehicle is different and may just have to find out later down the road but.. Are the oem brake lines on the Front/Rear sufficient for the suspension I am installing? Recommendations please.. Also what length for each or estimate.

4. After installing the suspension I know that there will be much more travel for the shocks and I have to make sure that I have bump stops that will accommodate for that. After ~2.25" in the front and ~1.5" in the rear, I don't think OEM bump stops will be sufficient from keeping the shocks from bottoming out.. Advice on this as well?

 

Looks pretty unanimous to order the Bilstein 6112 & 5160 with the Icon progressive leaf pack!

 

Looks like i just found my self ordering a set of Bilstein 6112 and 5160 with the progressive leaf pack! I plan on ordering a carrier drop kit and possibly a differential drop kit if the cv boots are rubbing too much.

 

What setting are you going with?
After you install, give it a solid month to settle out. It’ll be really high just after installing.