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Leveling Kit woes...

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by tjpratt, Apr 18, 2018.

  1. Apr 18, 2018 at 9:25 PM
    #1
    tjpratt

    tjpratt [OP] Well-Known Member

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    3.75" Lift / OME OVTuned
    Alright, I hate starting threads in here. Yes, I used the search function numerous times before starting this thread. But here goes. Be gentle.

    I had a Leveling Kit 3/1 installed on my 16' Limited Taco about 15 mos ago. Love the look (I did it mostly to fit my 33's on) and function. I know it wasn't the smartest thing to do, but was significantly cheaper than a 6" lift and money was tight at the time. I already know I should've installed a real lift, but here I am seeking advice from where to go from here.

    Complaints: My main complaints about the leveling kit are these. 1: When ever I haul anything at all the back end is spongy as hell. Meaning the back will drop a foot if I put a good load in it. This being the limited, it also came with the crap shocks, not the Bilstein's. 2: The front shocks bottom out if I go over a speed bump more than 10mph. They have never done it off road, it only does it with short abrupt bumps, like a speed bump.

    Options: I've looked in to everything I can think of and need advice. Of where to go from here, not things I've already done wrong. Among the cheaper options are:
    1 - Change out the shocks to good ones. This will hopefully help with the 2 cons listed above. However, after calling Bilstein yesterday, they told me the 5100's won't work on this setup. Even though I've talked to others with Leveling Kits that are using 5100's on all four corners. Bilstein told me to run 4600's (24-265966) in the front and 5100's (24-186728) in the rear. 4wheelparts is telling me that putting 5100's on all four corners will actually lower the truck to a 2" lift in the front, vice the 3" lift I currently have. Which makes no sense at all. I'm running the factory crap shocks now at a 3" leveling kit. How would installing 5100's (better shocks with a lift) have it any less tall. I feel like I'm getting the run around from everyone. My instinct tells me to throw the 5100's on all 4 corners and hope for the best.
    2 - I've considered putting Air Lift 59561 bags in the rear with the 72000 Wireless Air Leveling Compressor in the cab. This option may be in addition to the new shocks, and will greatly help with the rear sag towing or hauling loads.
    3 - Get a 6" stage 2 Pro Comp lift kit. Way more money. Will get rid of the shocks bottoming out. Not sure if it'll do anything for the rear sag, but I know it comes with extra leafs in the rear, so it should help. Costs triple the other option (new shocks and air bags).

    What I use the truck for. I hunt, fish, hike, bike, haul stuff from time to time. I'm extremely outdoorsy. I travel dirt roads. I do not climb rocks or anything crazy.
    My questions is, what should I do from here. Shocks & Bags? Which shocks? Real lift kit? I know I'm leaning towards shocks and bags because it solves both problems. But I don't know which shocks will compliment this setup, function properly.

    Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. Also, I apologize if this is in a thread that I missed.

    TACO.jpg
     
  2. Apr 19, 2018 at 7:54 AM
    #2
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 Well-Known Member

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    I have 5100’s on all four corners and a 1” block in the rear and it is fine. I haven’t towed or added serious weight in the back to note any changes. Swap out the rear block for an AAL and that should fix your issue, somewhat.
     
  3. Apr 19, 2018 at 8:03 AM
    #3
    Doggman

    Doggman Well-Known Member

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    Forget the 6" kits. Remove the leveling kit and get a decent adjustable coilover set up. King, Fox, ADS, Bilstein (8112), etc. Grab some new UCA's as well - total chaos, camburg, light racing, etc. Then out back either get a replacement leaf pack (deaver, dakar, etc) or an AAL (deaver, headstrong, icon, etc). All of that is normally in the neighborhood of $3-4k but it's the way to go.
     
    Mr-Paul, tjpratt[OP] and jeremy5000 like this.
  4. Apr 19, 2018 at 8:19 PM
    #4
    tjpratt

    tjpratt [OP] Well-Known Member

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    3.75" Lift / OME OVTuned
    Thanks for all the info. I'll def look in to this route you've listed. I just assumed either fixing what I had or getting an all inclusive kit may be easiest for someone who doesn't know a lot. I just got done looking at the BDS kit, but all that cutting scares the crap out of me. I'll look in to your suggestion.
     
  5. Apr 19, 2018 at 8:25 PM
    #5
    tcjacado

    tcjacado Well-Known Member

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    Your 2wd right?? Go with the max Trac spindle lift and give @HeadStrong Off-Road A shout. Spindle starts at 4 inches and you can go more if you want. Carrier bearing drop and a 4 inch block in the back with the rcd bilstein 5100 (extended length), plus the bilstein 5100 in the front with the old man emu 887 will get 6 inches on the lift.
     
    HeadStrong Off-Road likes this.
  6. Apr 19, 2018 at 8:31 PM
    #6
    Irongrave

    Irongrave Well-Known Member

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    my best advise is to start reading here and get off the lift height hang up. Far too often people settle for a height number vs real world performance and travel.
     
    BillsSR5 and tundraconvert like this.
  7. Apr 19, 2018 at 8:38 PM
    #7
    CaptainBart45

    CaptainBart45 Well-Known Member

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    Work in progress...
    I went 887 spring in the front and Wheelers progressive 3 leaf in the rear with 5100's and, just because, a 3/8" spacer drivers side. I don't know if that is the answer because I have to install them all....(yikes.)
     
  8. Apr 19, 2018 at 10:20 PM
    #8
    tjpratt

    tjpratt [OP] Well-Known Member

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    3.75" Lift / OME OVTuned
    I should've mentioned, I'm 4X4
     
    tcjacado[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Apr 19, 2018 at 10:23 PM
    #9
    tcjacado

    tcjacado Well-Known Member

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    No spindle lift for you then. DB lift is really the Only way to go and it's not that much cutting. Just the cross member in the front and a cab mount chop for the bigger tires.
     
  10. Apr 19, 2018 at 10:23 PM
    #10
    tjpratt

    tjpratt [OP] Well-Known Member

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    3.75" Lift / OME OVTuned
    I tried looking at this thread. Problem is it's a lot of pictures. I'm in Afghanistan on Deployment right now. I can only see certain pictures. I'm not sure why some show and some don't. Almost every pic on that thread shows as an "x" to me lol.
     
  11. Apr 20, 2018 at 12:39 AM
    #11
    alimjr

    alimjr Well-Known Member

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    I too am curious to this lift/level stuff. Just got new wheels and tires (265/70/17) and still on my stock suspension. I’d like to keep it close to stock as possible. Only because I will hardly ever go off road (I have a 2WD Sport). My Tacoma is my daily driver and just use it to go to and from work and to Uber my kids around.

    The thing is, I love the look of a slightly lifted Taco. With my research on these forums I’m thinking 5100 Bilsteins with stock coils might fit me best. OR should I level my front end? The only heavy hauling I’d be doing would be Costco runs and bikes to the beach. Any thoughts? Long story short, I’m looking for a “lifted/level” stock ride of a 2WD Sport.
     
  12. Apr 20, 2018 at 1:12 AM
    #12
    tjpratt

    tjpratt [OP] Well-Known Member

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    You trying to jack my thread lol?
    In all seriousness, the 3/1 leveling kit may be perfect for you. I'm just ready for an upgrade.
     
    Argo98 and alimjr[QUOTED] like this.
  13. Apr 20, 2018 at 1:43 AM
    #13
    alimjr

    alimjr Well-Known Member

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    Lol. No thread jacking here! I was just curious. Thanks
     
  14. Apr 20, 2018 at 5:22 AM
    #14
    Doublenickel

    Doublenickel Well-Known Member

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    I have 5100's all around with the AAL. I do have a long bed and this suspension made my ride so much better. The stock setup was very mushy and cushy...not truck-like feel. After 9000 miles I went with the new combo. Today I go into 4 wheel parts to have it all checked and torqued. No problems so far and a great feel to the suspension now.
     
  15. Apr 20, 2018 at 5:35 AM
    #15
    tjpratt

    tjpratt [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sounds awesome, but, Will they work with my existing leveling kit?
     
  16. Apr 20, 2018 at 5:42 AM
    #16
    JWFortin

    JWFortin Well-Known Member

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    As I've just ordered a complete set of 5100's as well, was that all you did along with the AAL's or did you also change out the UCA's and springs?
     
  17. Apr 20, 2018 at 5:51 AM
    #17
    Doublenickel

    Doublenickel Well-Known Member

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    I did nothing else.....but I am going to ask about the ECGS bearing when I am there.....wishing I would have just done that for peace of mind....wondering if that will be an issue in the coming months??
     
  18. Apr 20, 2018 at 5:54 AM
    #18
    Doublenickel

    Doublenickel Well-Known Member

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    Not sure about that.....I don't think personally that I would do both. Level kit on my 2004 tacoma made a harsh ride. My new setup is sweet. Firm enough, but a nice smooth ride.
     
  19. Apr 20, 2018 at 6:04 AM
    #19
    Mark_H

    Mark_H Well-Known Member

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    Just curious(new Tacoma owner here too) could the "bottoming out" be upper control arms making contact with the coil bucket? I haven't heard that issue with Tacoma's but also haven't heard the specific reason for needing aftermarket UCA's on Tacoma's either. That's a major issue with Titan's(my former truck) when lifted over 2" in the front. The fix was aftermarket UCA's and/or grinding the coil bucket.
    If that's the case, it may have nothing to do with the shocks.
     
  20. Apr 20, 2018 at 6:09 AM
    #20
    tjpratt

    tjpratt [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's a damn good question. I just assumed I was riding at the top of my shocks with the leveling kit and that I didn't have any more flex in the shocks. I thought it was them bottoming out when I came off the speed bump. If it's the UCA's it's a smidge easier.
    I'd like to throw some new shocks in there regardless. Bilstein recommends the 4600's in the front and the 5100's in the rear with my current setup. New UCA's maybe and possibly an AAL in the rear and take out the 1" block.
     

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