Bilstein 6112

I’ll be talking about this a bit in my overall review, but in the PNW at least, all these shops really tried hard to steer me clear of having to do the ECGS bushing upgrade. They all knew about this site and similar sites touting it as essential but I ran into the same logic every time

“We have done hundreds and hundreds of second gen and third gen Tacoma lifts and not a single person has come back for steering wheel vibrations post lift. Save the money”

More or less I received this advice from 3 different highly reviewed and peer recommended shops independently of one another. They also all recommended a diff drop kit. Which for 40 bucks installed I considered cheap insurance. I’m just not sure the 250+ it was going to cost me for the ECGS bushing and install was worth it for me personally.

 

I understand about the ECGS bearing. A lot of people including myself have done it and experienced no vibes at all. Some who haven't done it experienced vibes and some haven't. For me in my research, it was a confidence thing. I do have a sec gen and not a third gen so it might have been different. The diff drop isn't a bad thing, the only issue you are going to run into in the future is putting on any aftermarket front IFS skid if that is the direction you are going. Most aftermarket IFS skids won't be able to install on the truck with the diff drop on the vehicle.

 

I knew I should have done more research on the diff drop. Thank you for this advice.

 

Is anyone experiencing the 6112 maxing out over speed bumps? I have 6112's recently installed on the top notch, and there's a harsh clunk going over a speed bump at anything faster than 4mph, like if you were to preload the factory springs. It feels like it could be coming from just the passenger side. 4Wheel Parts (purchased and installed) tried to tell me it's normal, I say there's no way, Bilstein customer service also says no way. On the road they feel slightly more forgiving than the stock TRD Sport setup I've ran them on one beach trip and it felt great. Soon as I can I'm taking it back but I'm looking for input.

Did anyone here run into this issue? If so what was it? Both are set on the top notch. 4WP said it would be good for 2'' but after a couple months and 1000 miles it still looks like 2.5-3''. I've confirmed that they installed the correct shocks and springs for the 3rd gen. At this point I'm thinking it's the swaybar making contact (it's really close to the shock body and I didn't relocate it), it's defective, or it's install error.

Thanks!

 

It's normal. First of all, you likely have TACO LEAN since you installed both shocks on the same setting. They were supposed to set them up one notch higher on driver side (hence 6/5 or 5/4 etc.). Since you seem unhappy with the height, I would try to convince 4wheelparts to re-do the job but set the clips at 5/4. That should lessen the Top Out noise/clunk you are getting. My 6112s were contacting the sway bar, so I bought sway bar relocation brackets by ICON part# 611030.

 

How are you guys cleaning caked up dirt and grime on the stainless steel looking parts (shock bodies)? Only thing I find to work is a steel brush and wd40 but worried I may be scratching the finish? Degreaser? Trying to get them looking new again. I also live in the northeast

 

I haven't done anything with mine but mine are still looking ok. I know that @Unchained 5150 has kings and protects and cleans his consistently. He may be able to give you a better direction to go.

 

Fluid Film before Winter, then every other month I hose them off. Clean them up, then more Fluid Film. This is how they look after this Winter.

 

Thanks. I have the billies tho. The wire brush seems to work but not sure if it’s safe for the finish... anyone know?

 

There is no difference in cleaning/preserving a Bilstein vs King. Bilstein has a zinc or nickel coating so NO wire brush IMO.

 

Oddly enough I haven't noticed anything sideways, but the front definitely looks higher than the back. Part of my suspicion that there's something wrong with the parts is that they're on the same level with no Taco lean but I might just be lucky. I wanted it to be level but I could live with a little rake.
Thanks man. So does yours do anything like that at all? The sway bar I suspect, so I'll do that. How much lift did you end up getting out of it?

 

Thanks! another confirmation for me that 5th notch will clear 285/70-17.
I do have SPC UCAs + will have 650lb coils.

 

About 2.5" with clip settings at 6/5. I have a long bed though. The short bed usually ends up with slightly more lift. And just to confirm the Taco lean I was referring to is a side to side height comparison. Not front to back. That's called "Bro lean."

 

Yeah no, there's no Taco Lean but there IS bro lean. The front is at least half an inch higher than the back and they've had plenty of time to settle out. Thanks for the info man. Thought I had done enough due diligence before lol...

 

Maybe there is a brush that is still strong but plastic. I mostly need some kind of degreaser as the muck just doesn’t wanna come off.

 

I wouldn't be afraid to hit it with some sort of soft brush. Try flitz and a rag. Maybe rubbing compound.

 

My truck is almost level. Where I live, bro lean is preferred. But that's just preference.

 

WD40 and a rag or paper towels.

Works great on the frame as well.

 

installed today-
it’s the runnin4tacos
(Stage 4 package with SPCs UPCs)
6112 (5/6)
5160
Deaver AAL
Toytec 2” bump stop extension
— more information can be found on their site about their particular package.
*had to take it to my cousins auto shop to install the springs on the struts so keep that in mind.

I’m stoked on the outcome. All 4 measurements were around 38.5” so leveled the truck especially with the 5/6 notch recommendation. Taking it in for an alignment in a couple of days. Excited to see how much better it’ll be than the stock shocks.

keeping the rims and tires stock for now. will shop for wheels and tires once the funds are built up again.

https://www.runnin4tacos.com/produc...spension-kit-2005-2020-toyota-tacoma-lift-kit

 

Freshly installed.

5/6 setting
TC UCA
Headstrong 3 AAL
Superbumps
U-bolt flip
ECGS bushing
OME cattier bearing drop
3* axle shims
Sway bar removed

Drove it home and first impressions is it feels really great. A lot better than the stock off road suspension. Bumps on the road feel smoother and it looks really nice. Not driving it until I get it aligned tomorrow.