Bilstein 6112

What camper do you have?

 

Flagstaff 206STSE.

 

I've done a lot of Tacoma suspension installs. But always learning and tweaking things to be a better installer, including upgrading tools to make the job faster and safe

But I am wondering, has anyone ever taken the 6112 that comes with the 600 pound spring -

Switched to the 650 spring at the top or second from the top clip setting -

Done the switch themselves with a basic spring compressor (Not the crappy autozone ones though) or Maybe used the truck as a spring compressor to make the change over?(I doubt it would work for this application though bc you can only lift from the lower control arm so far before the entire truck comes off the stands.)


I recently built some ironman foam cell shocks and I had to dial the threaded collar all the way down to install the spring, tophat, and then install on the truck, and then adjust the collars back up to get my height back because otherwise when the collars were up(3" Lift) I had trouble getting the spring compressor tool free from the coils. And I also used a set of spring compressors that had lower clearance on the part that holds the spring. I could have moved the top of the compressor down another coil too but it would have taken more force to compress the coil down and I didn't like that.

I'm actually considering purchasing a

$905 Branick 7600 Strut Spring Compressor

Branick 7600 Spring compressor. But I'm often mobile and not sure if I want to cart that 100 pounds around.

I am curious if anyone else who does their own work, and not a shop, has a couple of tips? I considered attaching to the top hat as well (Just like the Branick can do), but it seems much more dangerous to me then.

I ask about the 6112 because I am going to be doing this to a set very soon.

 

Just from compressing the 600 lb ones. The autozone ones dont fit in between the coils you need the design with a thinner coil cradle (if going with portable) They are rated for 2500 lbs per set.

 

Finally got my parts done. This is 6112 on 10/8 with 5160 and Icon RXT (1) in back. I ordered the ECGS bushing for when I replace the needle bearing in the future, so far it hasn’t had an issue.

I went through Hotshot Off-road which was a good buying experience but unfortunately the driver 6112 shock eye was not aligned and I simply couldn’t turn it under my own power, nor did any spring compressors I found fit to help relieve the load to spin it. So I wasn’t able to install the front myself (the reason I ordered them assembled) and had to have a shop do them, which was a bummer.

But now it’s all on and happy with the inroad performance so far. Haven’t taken off-road yet.

In my excitement I didn’t measure the before. It now it’s measuring 22” (P) 22.5” (D) up front and 22.75” (P) and 23” (D) in back.

 

Those are the ones that I use actually. Its just that sometimes after you assemble the shock, its a struggle to get them free from the coils because the coil is compressed some.

Has anyone used these on the 6112's at the top clip setting during assembly with no issues?

 

I do it all the time with the trucks weight. PM me if you need a short video on how to.

 

Thank you for the offer, I have done it this way as well. But sometimes with bigger shocks with heavier springs and 2.5-3" of lift it will not allow you to do it this way bc it lifts the whole vehicle up off of the jack stands before you can get that nut threaded on to the shaft. And It might do this with the 6112's as well?

I am wondering if anyone has assembled the 6112's with the 650 spring, and top clip setting in this fashion?

 

I have don’t this on top clip with 650# spring. Yea the truck will come off the jack stand but you just have to be careful.

 

Thank you! Thats exactly what I was looking for!

 

I understand, things happen. It was so close but I just couldn’t spin it even with an 8” extension in the eye.

It’s all good now and the setup is working great.

 

The eye being off stopped you from installing it? Im gonna go out on a limb and say detaching the upper control arm to get it out of the way would have stopped you in your tracks before that eye issue.

 

I used these spring compressors

$34 labwork Heavy Duty 2pc Spring Compressor Tool - Ultra Rugged Coil

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08464LYQD/

Assembled on 5/6 with 650 lb springs no problem, and I used the impact to do it.

 

My front suspension settled the next day. my rake is now 2" (22" front / 24" Rear) higher in the rear vs the front Setting 5/4 looking to lower the rear by about 1" this weekend to return to the factory rake. Currently running 3degree shims and single torch add a leaf. Have purchased the Icon 3 add a leaf and may leave the shim off since i have the carrier bearing spacer in

 

I didn’t disassemble the UCA, this isn’t necessary for swap front shocks. Not sure why that would be relevant anyway.

I got the top hat bolted in and tried to spin the eye with a ratchet extension but couldn’t muscle it. I got a pair of spring compressors and it didn’t fit. Not sure what else I could have done on my own, I’m not a shop with endless tools otherwise I wouldn’t have paid to have them assembled in the first place.

 

none of mine were aligned i just threw a bolt through the eye and rotated it. I dont think i have abnormal arm/hand strength

 

Glad for you. Didn’t work out for me. Maybe if it wasn’t preloaded on the 10th circlip it would not have been as hard to turn. Or if I had a longer extension. Shoulda coulda woulda.

 

Hello,

I have a lifted 2015 DCSB TRD O/R 4WD.

FRONT:
5100s, 885 coils and 3/8” taco lean spacer. JBA UCA’s. Wheelers SuperBumps, ECGS bushing, diff drop (diff drop along with spacer lift installed 4 years ago by original owner. I bought this truck in 2018).

REAR:
ATS medium duty leaf springs, 5160 shocks, brake line spacer bracket, GM bump stops.

All suspension done less than a year ago except for the 5100s/885 coils which are older.
Current height hub to fender with full tank of gas:
LF. 22 1/8, RF. 22 1/4
LR. 24 3/4, RR. 24 7/8

I’m looking to buy 6112’s completely assembled. I will not be adding any weight up front. I’m hoping for a little more front height to lessen but not eliminate the rake.
For those running the 6112’s what are your measurements?
What coils?
What are your ride heights?
Different clip settings to compensate for taco lean or taco lean spacer?
Are there 2 versions of the 6112’s?
I’ve read some people say 6 is top clip and others say 11

Thank you.

 

There is a new version of the 6112’s that now have more notches. From my understanding there is no more added height but rather more options for clip settings. To correct lean everyone will mount one shock one clip higher than the other on the 6 clip version and two higher on the 11 clip versions. Example would be 5/4 on the 6 clip and 10/8 on the 11 clip. Check out headstrong off-road for a comprehensive chart on clip settings and lift heights.