Bilstein lift,but how much?

2021 DCSB SR 6Cyl 4wd
I am putting on Bilstein

$504 b8 5100 series set of front & rear shocks fits 1996 2004 tacoma with 1-1.5" lift | trendsauto decal | 24-249928 33-247724 33-247717

b8 5100 adj shocks.
Also adding 265/75/16 tires and wheels.
I am having a hard time deciding on 2" lift front and 1" in back, or 1" front and leave rear stock.
I will not be doing any crawling or serious 4 wheeling but do off highway back country drives. Not towing heavy or even heavy load of any kind.
Mostly highway and is my daily driver.
Interested in all your thoughts.
Thanks all

 

Leave it stock or go big

 

First clip on the fronts and add a 1 inch block in the rear. It rides perfect empty or loaded.

 

This is what I have and it’s great.

 

I wouldn’t want the block in the rear where I live. The axle hop gets extreme in deep snow (and other times where rear wheel spin is required) with the stock spring over arrangement.

 

Why do it at all for such a small almost unnoticeable lift? I thought about this myself and then decided I don’t feel like pulling apart my brand new truck for such a small lift, wasn’t worth the money, and the ride quality on the stock suspension seems great. With saying that, I don’t do much to any off-roading which appears to be what you’re saying as well. If you do choose to go with something, I’d do something in the back as well because to me, “level” by measurement looks nose high to the eye.

 

Throw a few Sand bags in the box and you are fine

 

If you are not adding bigger tires I would stick to 1 -1.5 in the front. These trucks look like they skipped leg day with 2 inch lifts and 265/75/16. After driving on a pair of 5100s for 40,000 I upgraded to 6112 and 5160s. They are more but IMO the 5100s were garbage and I regretted not doing it right the first time. For even mild forest service roads you will notice a huge difference.

 

I haven’t noticed weight affects axle hop that much.

 

Function over form I say.

 

If it matters in essence these are the same components used in the TRD lift kit that Toyota sells for a lot more $$. The kit is just rebranded 5100’s and a 1” block.
Per Bilstein , the 5100’s carry a lifetime warranty when installed in this configuration vs Toyotas 12mo/12k mile.

 

I saw a guy the other day with a 3rd gen on a 6" block/spacer lift and 295/60/18's looked like the drive shaft was binding for a second on take off from the light and the shudder was bad enough to impart secondhand embarrassment.

Add a leaf or full leaf pack replacement but never blocks!

 

Based on how you use the truck, a 1” lift up front would suffice. Unless you want a specific look, or need the additional clearance, which it doesn’t sound like, there’s not much need in going taller.

I use my truck similar to you. Personally, I’d rather have performance over looks if I had to choose. So big heavy tires and a super tall lift don’t appeal to me all that much. Also, I wanted to keep the costs low and don’t want to deal with replacing the needle bearing, as I’ve heard that’s a potential issue with 2”+ lifts. My needs were to increase performance and reduce body roll. So I went with bilstein 5100s on the 3rd notch up front to level the truck, and I’m planning to get sumo springs to address the roll. I’m also debating getting bags in the back, just to help provide more support when the truck is loaded up.