Help Fine Tune This Lift, Plz.

Gents,

Beggin' your indulgencesesesez. Please.

Am finalizing pre-order of parts for first lift. Options I am considering are listed below for new 255/75/17's.

Taco is a 2011 AC 4wd standard without the TSB. Has a Leer cap, also carries 320lbs traction ballast in winter, occasionally will pull single axle 6x10 trailer with landscaping stone, loam, lawn tractor(s)/equipment, snow sled, furniture, future ATV, etc.

Head is kinda swimming after weeks of beaucoup info overload from this site, so it isn't my fault. It's yours, dammit.

What I'd like input on - since my tire dealer usually only does Rough Country stuff - is whether he or I should order or will or won't need any articulation or drop related parts for the following lift options:

Front Shocks will be
Adjustable Bilsteins
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/f4-be5-c477-t0-bilstein-tacoma.html
(rated at 0"-2.5" range)
Am guesstimating that setting these Billys at between 1.25"-1.75" will bring back desired factory rake with the following AAL; please see below.

Rear AAL
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/85250t5.html (2" AAL)
SuspensionConnection rep claims factory U-Bolts will leave 1/4" thread but...
Definitely will need longer U-Bolts, if tire dealer is willing to also address Taco Lean.

I know I read it someplace on here - but please advise on what size block goes under spring for Taco Lean. Also what size Spacer at driver side strut?

Here's the thing. In the end I WANT to end up with a profile closest to the OE factory rake. I don't want level. Most all the advice on here focuses on going level OR going to a full 3" of lift. From what I've read I really shouldn't need that much lift for narrower 32" pizza (highway) cutters. Don't mind minor trimming if I ever have to.

Rear Shocks
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/f4-be5-c478-t0-bilstein-tacoma.html
Above Billy is rated to give 0"-1" of lift.
Dumb question: If I want the AAL to give me it's stated full 2" of lift, then will this 0"-1" rated Billy REAR shock REDUCE the 2" lift of the AAL to some degree, factoring that my non-TSB (almost frowning) factory leafs + AAL, will also take infrequent cargo loads? Maybe the AAL is not the way to go.

Or would you guys figure that my Taco is perfect candidate for a pair of new progressive leaf packs. Might be overkill and would obviously stretch budget. However, not necessarily if someone - anyone can point me at a reasonably priced leaf pack that won't push this lift into the +3" stratosphere - as in - a rake that looks ridiculous. The latter, when ONLY the weight of the unloaded Leer cap is over the bed/axle without any cargo or trailer. This Taco is our primary vehicle. Wife insists it cannot look like too much like an offroading toy. I'm whipped, you say. Well maybe but my excuse is that she's partially disabled and drags me to interesting social engagements. Worse of all though I am going to have to weld/mod the drop of any eventual side-step I decide to buy. No existing commercial side steps fit the bill for her disability. This is largely why I can't see going +3".

Hoping you guys can lend some input, or better solutions/products.

Thanks in advance

 

77 views and not a sense of humor or a testicle among them.

Guys.

Gimme a break here. It's my first Taco. Ya gotsta gimme time to become as hip as y'all. Doncha?

If I get pulled over for running studded snow tires in August how am I not gonna wanna mention how a Toytec site was mostly populated by deaf mutes?

Sheesh.

 

front 5100s have four settings. 0" , .85" , 1.75" , and 2.5"

rear 5100s don't give any lift.

Dakar leaf pack is a well priced leaf pack at about 400 bucks. Gives 2.75" lift.

I don't know to much but I'll give you the answers I have.

 

Can set the front at.0 .85 1.75 2.50 all you get is (4) settings Rear will work fine with 2" AAL mine are at 2.50 with 1.50 AAL 269/75/16 Duras on 16 x 8 KMC rims

 

Thank you, both very much.

Yes. Have seen those (front) Bilstein settings all over the place on here. Not sure but thot I'd also seen posts that inferred another strut shock brand out there - maybe OME ? - had infinite settings within the range. Not that .85 or 1.75 on Billy's wouldn't be perfect for this lift.

So those front Billy's are a lock. Check.

Re: AAL vs Dakar.

Since I missed the TSB by a lousy four months - (aside: shame on me for not signing up here earlier) - and since this Taco will be carrying the Leer full time and various chore related payloads in cab or on trailer, I was thinking the Dakars might be okay when loaded -- but might give me a excessively steep rake when only carrying the Leer.
The Taco is an Access Cab as mentioned.

Bear with me a sec. See, what bugs me is what !EYE! do not understand about what happens between the rear shock and the spring.

Let me try to explain my confusion. My newb understanding is that the two are - to put it one way - pulling against each other - sooooo - if the REAR Billy's are rated 0"-1" - and if I use those with Dakars lifting @ 2.75" then VOILA - my lift in the rear would end up somewhere slightly LESS than the full Dakar 2.75".

By the same token if I only do an AAL @ 2", then I might end up less than 2", And if I set the FRONT Bilsteins at say 1.75" then I end up level and losing the - ahem - highly coveted factory rake.

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--- zboy ----

Looking at pic of your truck - besides your 1.5" AAL - you must have had the TSB in there PLUS some kind of beefy spacer, no? Or which brand and class (heavy duty?) of AAL did you install?

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So where'm I at. Just a couple more uhm loaded questions now that you guys have leveled out me head. (You bet both puns are intended).

1.) Within reason, say by +/- 1/2" - can we say that the stated manufacturer lift measurement(s) for a shock, AAL or Leaf Pack are fairly reliable for an unloaded bed? If so, then is it not ultimately up to the end user to guesstimate how much weight will eventually sag a good rear suspension set up down to level stance or below. Got it. Screw it. Sorry. Either way - AAL or Dakar pack - I should be good to go. Set the front Billies at 1.75". Boom. Done.

Thanks to you both. Guess I was distrusting that 2.75" Dakar number. Only because I don't fully understand how the REAR Bilstein 0"-1" number range physically plays with the spring rating. It is not a simple subtraction nor is it a simple addition. This is my confusion.

I like that Dakar also offers options for axle articulation and drive drop. And yes the price is reasonable.

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Now I could go back and review the whole Taco Lift posts but if somebody could confirm Toytec has the stuff, then I should be good to go.

Sorry for the trouble, fellas.

If anyone wants go full out technical on my question about whether the rear end spring:shock (stated lift) ratio comes to = ?what final lift dimension?, based on an unloaded rear end (of course), please go right ahead. I'm probably not the only newb who's still a bit fuzzy on how that plays out.

Otherwise I think I'm in good shape. Grateful. Thanks.

 

If I were you and wanted to keep the same rake that is currently on your taco then I would go with a progressive AAL around 1.5" lift for the rear. For the front I would go with eibach coils or OME coils for around 1.6" lift and get OME shocks up front or 5100s set at 0".

 

-- Trap

Pardon my inexperience. It was unclear to me from the picture and product description for the progressive AAL, that those are actually added to the existing factory leafs. I read about and understand the advantage of a progressive system. If I am not mistaken the Dakar "pack" is also progressive, no?

(Note: One evening I was even warming to the idea of that SuperSpring helper spring, but then - don't really trust these non-TSB springs enough to go that route. I like your first suggestion better - the Dakar pack @ $400+ accessories.

So long as when the front Bilsts are set at 1.75" they will give me a true 1.75" with the factory coils. At my age, any new coil related labor is definitely something I would not attempt myself. So we needs ta spare me that particular kachinnnng factor for the time being I think?

Better to advise me whether 1.) the stated "front" Bilst notch of 1.75" will hold true with the factory coils and 2.) whether the 0"-1" range of the rear Bilsts would translate to a guaranteed additional amount of lift, on top of whichever leaf pack I go with?

I'm thinking go with the 2.75" Dakars which I can adjust myself if necessary and maybe find a lower end brand Nitro rear shock which will not add lift to the Dakars. Does that plan sound sensible?

The Dakar description, says I could remove (or add) a leaf and probably end up precisely where I want the rake to be for 90% of the year.

I will have a shop install the front Bilsts into factory coils. I will drive those home. I will remove factory non-TSB's leafs myself, one at a time naturally. I will set the new Dakar pack along side the first removed factory pack. And based on a visual comparison - and maybe some tugs using the tractor - I will make a judgement call on whether to use the whole Dakar pack or remove a leaf or not.

If the rake comes out the way I like I'll then procede to have the tire shop replace the stock rear shocks - one of which is already leaking at - get this - 23k miles - by the way - with a pair of slightly better shocks that do not spec any addional lift. The tire guy can throw in a pair of his Rough Country Nitros for all I care.

Gents, I have seen your builds. Technically I am not worthy to be here.

It is the labor cost of complete new struts that will or won't kill this lift budget. I mean who wouldn't love to have new coils, UCA's, et al, or for that matter a spankity new Lexus for truly moistening the ladies, but I gotta say this... the cost of having new coils put in is where I definitely know I'm out of my depth mechanically, thus, monetarily, y'see.

Again thanks for all your input, but take it easy on my wallet, willya?

 

Forgot to ask if anybody knows whether any of the sticky's get into a good how-to on modding exhausts when installing Dakars.

A kind empathetic 'yes' or 'no' will do.

I'll find it.

Just worn out from pouring through the endless search results on here.

Place might as well be the freaking Library of Congress for cryin out loud.



You guys are great.

 

Lots of good threads on installing all the items you have listed. If you have any mechanical ability you would have no problem installing on your own. Saves some money! I installed my icon lift w/ my dad in six hours. Or you could host a mod day up there in the white mountains. Little wheelin after! Good luck!

 

What am I missing, Trap?

Wouldn't that put me at around level?

Sorry if I mistated something. I want to restore the factory rake -- WITH the Leer cap on full time, and (understandably) to a lesser degree when the 320lbs of winter traction ballast is onboard.

When using single axle 6x10 trailer for hauling stuff I figure I can position the trailer payload to bring the modest rake and trailer level.

 

A progressive AAL adds to a full leaf pack. Dakars is a full leaf pack.

Front 5100s give a full 1.75 lift and rear 5100s give no lift.

I have no expertise on removing dakar leafs so I can't help you out there. I have just heard about it being done. Nitrocharger OME rear shocks are better quality then rear 5100s FYI.

You should be able to replace the rear shocks easy. You are going to have to remove them to get to the leaf pack anyways so don't bother having a shop do it.

 

Yea I understand you now. I figured before you want to maintain your rake but now I understand you want to restore the factory rake. If your currently level with the weight then a dakar pack in the back and 5100s set at 1.75" should do the trick.

 

Btw check at headstrong offroad. They don't have the greatest selection on their website but they have competitive prices on what they do have and if you ask they could probably get it for ya. Its where I got my lift from.

 

If you don't tow heavy & often, dump the overload , that right there will drop your ass end about an inch...