Bilstein 6112

Everything Scott said above.

Water crossings, mud, noise, etc.

The uniballs are also stupid expensive to replace vs. ball joints.

And if that wasn't enough, one of my suspension advisors told me I wasn't allowed to run them. So ball joints 4 ever!

 

If I get lucky with my schedule this week, I might get my 6112's with 650's mounted. I have an ARB w winch. I'll post up if I get it done.

 

I definitely want to know how it works for you. Ride quality and lift.

 

$112 33-230337 5125 Series Single Monotube Shock fits Custom Vehicles - Designed for Custom Applications

33-230337

 

Thanks. Good to hear you like the valving 255/70 is good universal valving for rear leaf sprung applications. That model shock though max ext length 24.4" and 9.4" of travel.

I would look at 11" stroke shocks if you want the most from Dakar's.

I think model 33-230375 is potentially a good candidate but people had better be measuring to make sure it fits safely when collapsed.

 

I have the top overload removed in the pack too, so that helps with those shocks I believe.
I do like them. Have been very happy with the whole set up really.
Glad you posted up Crom. You have the best advice IMO.

 

The 6112's for Tacomas come with a 610lb spring. I'm a bit limited in my knowledge of spring/shock applications, but would an extra 40lbs rating on a spring make that much of a difference? Also I believe the 6112's are valved specifically for the spring that's included with them.

The Eibach spring you have with your 5100's won't work with the 6112's because the 6112 does not have a notched spring seat. Unless you're talking about buying a new set of 650lb springs.

 

Yes, it is definitely an experiment, but all my mods are experiments. But it's not without precedent. OME's 886 is rated at 660 lbs, IIRC, and is what people have been using for a heavier bumper and winch. And if I'm not mistaken, the same shock is used with OME's lighter rated spring for trucks with a stock bumper. People also have been using Icon's with the same valving with springs ranging from 600 to 700lb rates. But it is a guessing game.

Taking a big picture look, none of the aftermarket stuff is as dialed in as factory when it comes to valving matching spring rates. The factory has more money to test throw at testing and tuning, and a stock truck is a stock truck. The aftermarket shock mfg. can't design for certain setup because they are all different. So they have to guess at wheel weight and weight on the axle. When Bilstein says that the valving on the 6112 is matched to the spring, they have to assume a certain wheel/tire weight. They probably assume something heavier than stock, but I'm just guessing there. For the 610lb coil, they probably assume the truck is pretty close to stock weight.

 

Yesterday I installed 6112’s with 650 lb Eibach springs. A few weeks ago, I put All Pro Expo’s and Bilstein B110’s on the rear.

My truck is on the heavier side. I have a home built camper top on the back, and it and it’s contents weigh about 400 lbs. I also have an ARB bumper, winch w synthetic line on the front, sliders, and an all pro rear bumper.

I weighed the truck before and after putting the camper on. Before, it was at 4680, with 2680 on front, and 2000 on the rear. That was with ARB and winch, and AP rear bumper, but without sliders. Also with 285/70/17’s.

After adding the camper, it was at 2680 front, and 2320 rear. (Somewhat surprisingly, all of the weight of camper landed on the rear axel. I thought some would transfer to the front axel, but it didn’t.)

Now after adding stuff to the camper and sliders, I estimate that I’ve got 2745 on front, and 2525 on back. I found a site called driverside.com that shows curb weights for a stock DCSB w AT at 2302 front, 1883 rear, 4185 total. (Seems plausible, but maybe on the light side.)

By now you’re wondering, if you made it this far, where the F is he going with all of this? Well, if the stock curb weights shown above are correct, I’ve got 19% more weight on the front axel than stock. Supposedly, according to this thread, https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/spring-rate-of-the-front-coils.121600/#post-2351873 stock trd springs were rated at 540 lbs in 2010. If correct, the 650’s are 20% stiffer than stock. 610’s are 13% stiffer than stock. So the 650’s should match the weight of my truck pretty well.

(Looking at the numbers, Bilstein probably assumed a slightly heavier truck than stock would get the 6112’s. That would explain why some people with stock weight front ends are seeing higher lift numbers than Bilstein predicted. Just a theory.)

With OME 886’s (660lb) and no taco lean spacer, I had about 22.5 hub to fender on the left, and 22 7/8’s on the right. Now with the 6112’s, both set on the 3rd groove, I’ve got 21.75” on the left, and 22.25 on the right. The left rear is 23.75, and rr is 24.25. (I measured to the inner edge of the fender, which is about a ¼ lower than the outer edge.) I wanted to lower the front to about two inches, so I’m happy for now. If/when it settles, I’ll put it on the 4th notch.

I like the ride. It’s definitely better than my worn out OME’s. But I’ve only driven about 40 miles on city streets and highways, and all of them were pretty smooth. I recently rode in a Raptor, and I don’t think my truck is as plush as that was. I'll update after I drive it some more this weekend.

I’m going to post up some install notes when I get a chance. If you live where there is any salt on the roads, you might have to do some bolt cutting.

 

^Thanks for the info! 6112's with either 650lb or 700lb springs will be my next suspension upgrade. After adding the ARB bumper, skids, sliders, and second battery in the engine bay my 5100s with 600lb Eibach springs are really feeling it.

I see that you are running the 34/10.5/17 KO2s. I've been getting so many mixed results on what the actual mounted height is. Do you mind measuring for me? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

 

You're welcome. The KO2's are definitely not 34". I've seen 33.3 or 33.4 posted in various places. I just tried to measure across the tire and it seemed like 33.25, but I didn't have helpers, so I was eyeballing a bit. I really like the tires. Very quiet, and the snow traction has been really good. I got them late fall, so I haven't been off road yet.

 

That's good to hear that they are at or close to 33". I currently have them in 265/75/16, but have new 17" wheels on the way. I've been stuck on whether to save the money and weight and go with KO2s in 255/75/17 or bite the bullet and go with the "34s". I really like the tires as well which is why I will be getting them again. Thanks again for measuring!

 

Do yourself a favor and don't put the second battery in the engine bay. You'll destroy your core support, and rip the sheet metal fender wells. Tacoma just wasn't made to take the weight up there.

 

I know what you mean. Core support is already cracking under the headlamps and this was even before I installed the second battery and arb bumper. I really don't want to run long lengths of battery cable to my bed either, but I'll have to make some sort of decision sooner or later.

Btw your truck is pretty sweet. Tons of functionality and looks well thought out. It makes me want to ditch my arb bumper and go back to the stocker with a hidden winch mount.

 

Good! You already know.

 

@DaVikes

Any update on your thoughts of the 6112s and 650 lb springs? I'm stuck between this setup or with 700s.

 

I like them, but I was aiming at a 2" lift, which is what I have for now. I might eventually have to go to the 4th groove if they settle. Your truck is heavier than mine up front, I think. So if you want more than 2", I'd just go straight to the 700's. There is a guy on Expedition Portal that had 650's with his Icon's, and put 700's on. He thought the 650's were better on the street than the 700s, but that the 700's were better off road. There is some info somewhere in this thread http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/132721-Battleship-Jones-2015-Tacoma-DCLB-Build-Thread.

 

Ok, spent the last two days putting my kit on and getting it in for an alignment.

2013 Tacoma Double Cab Long Bed Sport 4X4

This was my kit:
Bilstein 6112 on 4th notch up front w/ 1/4 spacer on drivers side for taco lean.
Bilstein 5160 rears
Headstrong 3 leaf progressive AAL with overload leaf left in.
SPC Light Racing UCA's

Initial Numbers (measured from center of hub):
LF=19-1/2"
RF=20-1/4"
LR=22"
RR=22-1/4"

Post Lift:
LF=22-1/4"
RF=23"
LR=24"
RR=24-1/2"

Lift:
LF=2-3/4"
RR=2-3/4"
LR=2"
RR=2-1/4"

Rake Before Lift:
Left=2-1/2"
Right=2"
Rake after Lift:
Left=1-3/4"
Right=1-1/2"


I expect some settling...gonna probably hit my target of 2-1/2" front lift after it settles.

 

Previous post described my lift numbers. Here are my alignment numbers after the lift:

Before Alignment:
Left Camber: +1.4 deg
Left Caster: +3.0 deg
Left Toe: -0.06
Right Camber: +0.8 deg
Right Caster: +2.9 deg
Right Toe: +0.09

After Alignment:
Left Camber: +0.7 deg
Left Caster: +3.0 deg
Left Toe: +0.08
Right Camber: +0.8 deg
Right Caster: +2.9 deg
Right Toe: +0.08


Rides good with caster at about +3. Gonna need tires in about 3 mos..already started looking.

 

This is what I like to hear....I'm planning on the 4th notch and looking for 2.25-2.5" of lift. Any pictures?