leveling 2016 with bilstein adjustable 5100

What I did:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-3rd-gen-today.399305/page-2197#post-14207237

 

Second to highest sorry. I didn't do the full 2 inch lift because my tech did it for his 4Runner and encountered problems down the line.

 

Here is one with clip at the 1.5 notch

 

Perfect! I'm doing them right now at .65". Thanks.

 

Can you post pics please

 

Yep, I will tomorrow.

 

DUMB question i'm sure but what is this "leveling" you talk about? ty

 

The front of most trucks and SUVs is slightly lower than the rear, this is to allow the rear not to squat excessively when you are hauling a heavy load.

Since most of the time, light trucks like a Taco are not used to haul stuff, this means that under normal operation you are driving around with the rear 1.5"-ish higher than the back, which looks unbalanced and which a lot of people don't care for.

A leveling kit is basically a lift for the front only, it puts the front up to about the same level as the factory height of the rear. This provides a more balanced look when the truck is unloaded. Granted, the rear will squat some when loaded, but since carrying a load is infrequent, you are setting the "level" for the way the truck is normally used.

On the 3rd gen Tacos, the rear is about 1-2" higher than the front (depending on model and individual variances), so it's common to raise the front end about that much to level the truck. These trucks are actually pretty level from the factory, but they still have some rake. If you look at trucks like new Colorados, F-150s, etc., they have significantly more front end rake.

Several common ways to level the truck are spacers to preload the front suspension, or Bilstein 5100 adjustable front coil overs set at a height that will complement the rear height. The question a few of us have been asking in the last page or so of this thread is "what setting should we use" on the Bilsteins, there are a lot of varying opinions and no exact answer. There are also two different models of Bilsteins that are used on 3rd gen trucks, each with slightly different height settings. One was designed for 2nd gen Tacos but still works on 3rd gen, and the other was designed for 3rd gen Tacos; further clouding the issue.

This pdf from Bilstein is about the best info I have seen to explain the concept:

http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_us/pdfs/Bil_LevShks_WebArticle.pdf

 

very comprehensive explanasion. I ty

 

NP. I forgot to add that other than appearances, there are some good reasons to upgrade to Bilsteins: better ride (your Limited has the same shit Hitachi shocks as my base SR), increased approach angle at the front for off road, and increased fender clearance for larger tires.

 

mine rides like on a cloud. & really has plenty of clearance even with the 18" wheels.when i'm parked AWAY from all other vehicles in lots, I look back at her & she sits Up like it's been lifted, contribute that to again the 18s.

 

Not sure if this pic helps but here is 2nd gen 5100 at 3rd notch(1.75in)on stock springs. I also did a deavers aal 1.5in on the rear. Haven't drove it since I did rear this afternoon. I drove it this morning after I had only done the front and it rode the same as before.

 

THANKYOU!

 

Looks Great.. I just received my Gen 2 5100s and deavers aal yesterday. I was planning on setting mine at 1.75" as well. Let me know how it rides. I hope to put my 5100s and AAL on this week. What kind tires and what size tires are on your truck?

 

Well, don't mistake larger wheels for larger tires. They are not the same. Your overall tire and wheel diameter is likely the same or a hair smaller as the tire and wheel diameter on the OR model with 16" wheels. The tire height is the difference and generally the larger wheels have lower profile tires.

But yes, you are correct that the front is close to level on all the 3rd gens, and they were built with about a 1" lift over the stock height of the 2nd gen (see Toytec's sticky about lifting the 3rd gen at the top of the 3rd gen forum page).

Shocks are personal preference, but I'm unimpressed with the Hitachis. I could live with them, for sure, but for $300 I can have a nicer ride and achieve my level, so why not?

 

$$$$. my limited is what I call a gentlemans truck- in My situation anyway. i'm retired. I will occasionally tow a Grady White 22ft. haul some materials for grown kids. i'm happy where I am. but thanx for all you info. me & my son Have lifted two of his jeeps so I know some bout wheel/ tire dimensions, lift kits & the like. i'm just Old School, & just basically fish for a living these days. that's bout it

 

I have Falken Wildpeak at3 265/70r17. They look more aggressive in person then in these pictures.

 

@Shadowray
@PuyallupJon

Front at .65, which is an actual gain of .70", so it shows a small amount of lift but still some rake. This is probably where I am going to leave it. I intend on running a soft topper and 100 pounds +/- camping gear a lot of the time so this should put me pretty level.

The only other thing of significance in the photos that might affect perception of the change is the tires are 265/75 16 and the air dam is deleted.

New shocks have a nicer feel to them than the Hitachis. My driveway is 8/10 of a mile long and rutted gravel, the Hitachis felt rough over the washboards and holes; these feel firm but much smoother.

 

Looks great thanks for the info and pics

 

I like how that looks. Still has some rake and doesn't look all bro'd out with a monster lift.