1st gen lift opinions

Ok, so I'm getting ready to replace all 4 shocks on my 1st gen double cab taco this weekend and I'm looking for a quick bit of advice from someone who might have been in my same situation.

I have bilstein 5100 shocks for all 4 corners. My truck has 260,000 miles on it, so I'm sure the springs are sagging. The truck still sits with a rake though so I am assuming the coils and leafs are sagging from where they were stock.

To avoid damaging the rear shocks, I am putting in a Wheelers 1.5 inch AAL. (I realize this is a temporary fix, my plan is to go with a Dakar or All-pro spring pack in a month or so, when I get the new wheels and tires)

I am replacing the old front springs with new original size/weight springs.

My question is... where would you set the front spring perches? I have the 4 setting Bilsteins. The lowest setting is (obviously) stock height, the next setting is about 1/2 inch, the next setting is 1.5 inch, and the top setting is 2 inch.

BUT here's the problem... replacing the front springs is going to probably lift me more than the advertised lift from where I am now... and putting 1.5 AALs on old leafs in the back is probably going to give me less than the advertised lift in the back.

I DO NOT WANT THE STUPID "BRO LEAN" ON MY TRUCK, even if it is only temporary.

My thought is to just go with the .5 inch lift setting in the front and if I have an exaggerated rake, throw some sand bags in the bed.

What are some opinions?

 

Change the settings so that you dont get the full lift out of the front until you see where youre hieght is

May i ask why not wait 30 days and save your money for the dakars or the allpros?something to note, with no weight in the back of your truck the dakars will give you a lot of lift...mine got a ton so much so that I took a leaf out before i put my swing out on...but once you put the new leafs in, it will allow you to adjust your front accordingly, most likely you will go the full 2” in the fromt to compensate. Another item, i found out is that dakars are noisy, get greasable shackels and front bushings, it will save you the time in working on your rear suspension twice...patience will save you money, and make you happier in the long run

 

If you’re getting a 1.5” AAL, and you still have some factory rake, I’d say go for the 1.5” setting to be pretty level. If you want to maintain some rake, then go with the .5” setting.

As said above, you’ll probably need the 2” setting with the dakars.

 

I would go with either a set of OME or eibach springs in the front. I wouldn't go back to stock. With a set of OME dakar springs you will gain probably 3-5" from your current sagging springs. (Not brand new stock springs)

 

It is definately a good question why I'm doing it this way... I'm probably making it more difficult than usual.

My reasoning is... the shocks are done. Totally done. The truck is riding like a buck board wagon. Also, the LBJs are on their way out. I figure I'll do the shocks now, while I'm in it doing the LBJs... I also have the UCAs that I'm replacing now as well.

But $1000 for wheels and tires (and another $450 for leafs) wont be in the budget for a month or so considering I just dropped $1000 on these parts I'm doing now, and the $300 I just spent on all new tie rod ends and rack bushings a couple weeks ago.

 

I will eventually be going OME 882 or 883... but for now, I'm trying not to lift it any more than I have to (to avoid damaging the rear shocks).

I got the original size/wieght coils new in box for 25 bucks. Figure I'll throw them in now, since I have to assemble the coil overs anyway.

I don't have the wheels/tires yet... And I don't want to drive around in a truck that looks like a gym rat that doesn't do legs day.

 

Understandable...mine were completely shot as well when I did mine...i would bottom out going slow up a driveway lol...i also didnt get wheels, but i had a good budget to start with. you're right shit adds up quickly, and it can be hard to chatch up. i need to replace my tie rods soon too

 

My leafs aren't that bad where they bottom out. But I notice the truck squats a lot more than it used to when I put something in the bed. It noticably squats even when I throw a 50# bag of dog food in the bed.

The tie rod ends weren't too awefully bad to do. Here's some notes I made when I did mine.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tie-rod-end-replacement-suggestions.523928/

 

So glad I went with the 3rd setting (approx 1.5 inch). It sits exactly the way I hoped it would... and HOLY SHIT it rides so much better!

Before

After

I'm pretty happy with the height (for now). I'm going to go ahead and get the new wheels soon and then see if I can get my hands on a decent set of 31x10 (approx) take offs from a Jeeper or something.