Help with Upgrading Tacoma SR5

This is my first post on these forums but I just needed some confirmation on some upgrades.

2023 SR5 Taco

I bought Baja Designs Ditch lights, Bilstein 5100, and a set of 18inch wheels with firestone destination at2 tires

Tires and wheels clear at stock did all my research TireRack, however i want a 2inch lift all around on it from where it is now stock.

I know 5100 are 2inch front, 1 back so I bought a 1inch rear block. Just want to confirm that doing the 2inch front with the 2inch total lift in back is both okay for the truck (as in using the block) and if this will give me the all around 2inch lift I want. Everything else as far as springs etc r stock. Thanks for any advice or input. Also if anyone knows estimates for how much the average shop would cost to install Baja lights and wiring pls leave quotes or estimates. I have a guy who's normally very fair and well priced but i've also never had to have him do any additional work as far as mods usually only repairs etc.

 

Generally you want to avoid running the maximum lift height specified for any front coilovers in the interest of not stressing the suspension parts (longevity) and preserving ride quality (not getting a stiff ride from too much pre-load setting). My front setup is rated at 2-3" lift but I run 2.5" lift based off the above factors.

So are you doing 1" or 2" lift in back? 1" back and 2" front will bring the truck close to level (good if you don't run weight in the bed much at all) whereas 2" back will keep a similar rake as stock (good if you put weight in the bed so it will ride close to level when loaded up). I ran a 1" block for a while on stock springs and it was ok for most driving but definitely wasn't anywhere as good offroad or over bigger bumps as the 2" lift rear leaf pack I'm running currently.

I personally like running about 0.5" higher in front, looks close level unloaded but actually is about level without sagging when loaded with my normal max weight in the bed. Just make sure your rear shocks are size to whatever lift height you go with, regardless of whether you do the rear with a block, AAL, or full leaf pack.

 

so from my knowledge bilstein allow up to a 2.8 lift in the front so I think doing 2 should check out as far as not to stress anything in the front, rear was planning to do the 1inch block + the 1inch standard lift that the bilstein 5100s have. This would be stock as far as leveling because i was planning on keeping the actual leveling stock as far as its more of a daily commuter truck i'm doing some upgrading on. If there's any benefits to only doing the 1inch rear lift and skipping the block let me know. Just wanna make sure that everything i'm doing checks out as far as you said with stressing the front coils etc being stock. Thanks for the help tho, fairly new to all this so just wanna make sure everything imma do checks out.

 

Double check bilstein 5100 max lift numbers with stock coils for Tacoma

 

welcome to TW!


Maybe @Road_Warrior can respond and help you out here. He’s got a build page, though I’ll have to get you the link.

 

5100s can do 2 inches all around without issues. You do need an alignment, and there will be the possibility that you might need an e-brake cable bracket, axle shims on rear, and ecgs bushing up front. It depends - every truck is oddly different on this, and things might need tinkering with.

As far as shop prices go, I don't know that. It shouldnt be more than 500-600 for suspension, and it shouldnt be more than 200 for electrics. I prefer to do all of it myself because its easier to troubleshoot and revisit. Plus its a LOT cheaper.

 

Yep, I used to have my Bilsteins set at 2” up front with a 1” block in the back. The truck wasn’t exactly level so I took the front down to 1.55” and now it’s level. I have an ARE shell on the back though so your leveling results may differ. My build thread is in my signature if you want to poke around for more info/ideas.

 

Lots of mixed replies. So bilstein website says the 5100s are designed to not need any sort of replacement coils etc. Looking simply to add 2inch all around. Road Warrior seems to have me thinking i'll be okay. Thanks for the help tho. Def thinking i should be good with the 2 front + with the 1inch 5100 lift and 1inch block in the back to make it 2 and adjust like road warrior said if it's too far off level.

 

5100 shocks in the rear don't lift the rear.
The rear naturally is 1" higher than front.
To level, you need to lift the front 1 -1.5 ".
Or , you set 5100s in the front to max setting (2") with oem coils and add 1 inch block.

There is no 2+ lift with 5100 and OEM coils unless you add extra spacers

 

that's what i planned to do, new to all this so why I asked here and am very happy I did. Thanks for all the help! Hopefully all comes out good me and a buddy who has worked on trucks for a while is gonna do the labor ourself. Will update when done.

 

Your setup is exactly what I plan on doing in the future, I'll check out your thread thanks

 

Awesome! Let me know if you have any questions.