Just ordered Bilstein 5100

You could, as @doorsidedown stated, replace the coil spring with the aftermarket spring (Found here) to give better ride quality overall since you will not be pre-loading your spring down.
Another "peace of mind" (in case your shocks didn't come with bushings) is a bushing replacement kit. Most Bilstein shock kits will not come with new upper top mount bushing kits, we get how annoying it can be to be half way through a project and realize the bushings aren't there... Well we offer them!! HERE
For the rear end, there are a ton of different options out there, anything from blocks, Add a leafs, to full leaf pack replacements..
The block is designed strictly for the daily driver going for the looks, no performance gain.
The single AAL is designed to help support the leaf pack, get the ride height proper, and keep overall stability
The Progressive 3 pack AAL is designed for someone who is looking for lift, along with helping support a tad more weight in the rear end without jeopardizing your ride quality and stability.
The Full leaf pack replacements, are always the best recommendation, you get lift, additional weight support, stability overall, and (depending on the leaf pack) a tad more articulation.

All these things plus more can be found directly off our website. Please feel free to shoot me a pm anytime if you have any questions or concerns!


-David

 

I have been researching a ton trying to decide how I want to lift my 2016. I originally was thinking the Bilstein 5100s in front with OME 887 coils for around a 2" lift and the rear 5160s for a 1" lift without blocks but didn't want to run on those maxed out for the 1 inch. I'm not big on the idea of blocks. So I was thinking of the Toytec Leaf pack and 5100s in the back but it looks like that is a 2" lift and I would have to go with the longer 5125s instead and then bump up the adjustment on the front 5100s to get a 3" or 3.5" lift to level her out. At that point I would need differential drop spacers too? Then I found an Icon add a leaf for a 1.5" rear lift but it seems like that is inbetween sizes recommended for the 5100s and 5125s.

I live at 10,000 ft in Colorado and do a ton of off roading and would rather have better performance on the trails than a smoother everyday drive, and really want to upgrade my truck for performance rather than looks. Is the Toytec add a leaf closer to 1.5 or 2 inches? I rarely have a lot of weight in the bed. And can the rear 5100s actually work with a 1.5" lift (Bilstein says they are for 0-1" lift) and still perform as well as they should? Any input and advice would be great to get the most benefits from a lift without spending thousands. Thanks a lot!

 

Bilstiens with ome 888 coils give you 2.5 in front. Find an 1.5 aal for rear

 

I have found a few options for a 1.5 AAL and even some 3 packs, but I keep seeing that it is not recommended to lift the 3rd Gens more than 2 inches since they're already lifted an inch. So, if I did 2.5" in front it sounds like I would need a differential drop kit and new UCAs to avoid causing problems for my suspension. I have also seen the rear 5100 Bilsteins say they are only for 0-1" lifts and would need to use Toytec Boss 1-3" lift or something similar for the rear. The front 5100 says 2.5" is the max height they can be used for, so I would probably need to figure out a different shock setup for the front because I don't trust being maxed out with as much off roading as I do. If I had to add the diff drop, new ucas, and different shocks other than the 5100s, I would do a 2" rear with a new leaf pack and 3.5" front lift to make it worth getting all these extras. Does any of this sound right to anyone? I'm really trying to avoid spending more than $750 and do not want blocks or spacers.

 

You dont need a diff drop until 3 or more inches. Even though its at it max range, it is designed to function in those ranges so i would not be concerned. Bilstiens are just the shock absorber and by themselves max out at 2.25 but the ome coil itself does the lifting. Most shocks will max out at 3” unless you are going to 4-6” lifts. Ucas are not neccesarry unless you have some sort of wierd wheel that will rub. A very reputable installer from rougue offroading, even says its not neccesary unless you do some hardcore offroading.
You can spend a few grand on any setup but the bilstiens are bang for your buck with great capabilities. Even i got my rear bilstiens on a 2.5 block which i will change to aal later. Tons of guys run this setup with great results

Not sure where you read that the 3rd gen is already raised an inch unless its the pro, but ive never heard anything like that

 

I think he meant the 3rd gens are already sitting an inch higher than previous Tacos. I’ve read that also on this forum.

 

Although that may be true, adding 2.5 doesnt equate to 3.5 so diff drop not meccesary

 

Is it much better getting the coils upfront instead of just using the 5100 to lift you 2"?

 

From what I understand buying coils for the front will help the ride quality better

 

Is it that noticeable?

 

I couldn’t tell you. I haven’t had mine installed yet

 

If you are going to 2.5 or 3 up front you might also need aftermarket uca's. JBA'S is my recommendation

 

Even for 2"?

 

I would upgrade both shocks and coils as with the longer travel, the bilstiens are designed fir it while the stock components are not

 

You can do that but the stock shock isnt really designed for the increased travel

 

Great, thank you so much for the info! I will order my setup tonight, going with the 5100s, OME 888, and 3 leaf AAL. Makes sense though, since there are so many kits that offer the 5100s with OME coils and a rear lift over an inch. Just didn't want to pull the trigger until I got some feedback on it since I found a lot of different information on them. Do you recommend using the stock, or 0 setting, on the front Bilsteins or do you think I would be good at the 2nd clip for an extra .65"? And sorry, I meant the 3rd Gens sit an inch higher stock than the 1st and 2nd Gens, not that it was actually lifted. I just read in a few places that it wasn't recommended to lift it more than 2 inches since it's already an inch taller than previous years but didn't understand that since there's so many people with lifts taller than 2 inches on here. I think it was referring to the ucas or warranty or something. But thanks a lot, much appreciated!

 

Ok cool! Is the best one the ome 887 or are there better options? Reasonably

 

To be honest, most say set at 0 for front. Havent got a staight answer on putting it to 2nd notch except for it affects ride quality. With that you get 2.5 and should be able to fit 285s. Just so you know, ome 887 is standard, 888 is stiffer just in case you want to add a steel bumper in the future. Read next comment for lift difference

 

887 is for stock weight, 888 is stiffer just in case you add a steel bumper or winch in front. I think they may also lift different 1/2”. 887 supposed to be 2.5 and 888 is supposed to be 3 but i only got 2.5 after settling. 888 was cheaper by a fraction for me

 

Ok cool. How come some people don't get the coils with the 5100 but other say you should?