Write-up: 3rd Gen Bilstein 6112/5160 with 3-Leaf AAL for 1.5" lift

Yeah I know. I have JBA UCA's sitting here. They're sold out of both in any case.

 

So I have a set of 6112's of my 2015 Tacoma SBOR with they work on a 17' SBOR? I'd like to lift the front 2''

 

Completely new to trucks and am looking into this setup. I am only looking to lift the front slightly to level out the truck and get rid of the rake. Switching out the fronts to some kind of adjustable system would get the job done, but I figure it would be best to go ahead and add some matching struts in the rear. Question is, is it necessary to change out the leaf springs as well if I am not looking for any kind of lift in the rear? My understanding is that trucks gain their increased lifts from upgrading their leaf springs as a 4runner would when swapping out coils. If I am not looking to lift the rear at all, I would just keep the stock leafs in the rear and swap out for the 5160 correct.

 

You are correct. Rear lift comes from your leaf springs. You can upgrade the shocks in the rear without adding additional lift.

 

Wonderful, thanks for confirming. Every leaf spring I looked at added height so I figured that was the case if I was not looking for any rear lift.

 

how crucial is having the side specific part numbers for the 5160?? i have two same numbers and i thought i read everything was the same IE valving and length and body size etc, the only difference was the brake line extender for the one side

confirm/deny?

 

That’s what Marie from headstrong told me today so you are correct

 

Curious, when assembling the 6112's, can your regular macpherson spring compressor fit around the Bilstein supplied spring/coil? Looking at just purchasing some new top hats to assemble the 6612's.

 

Hi all, I’m sure this question has been answered in here somewhere, if it was, I can’t find it . I just received my 6112’s built up from Wheeler . They have them set at #5 and #6 with 3/8” spacers. I talked to tech support and this is what they recommend for me to achieve around
2-1/4” to 2-1/2’s “ of lift . I did tell him I had a 2018 access cab several times , and I’m sure you know my question by now .....The instructions show #5 and #6 for the double cab 4x4 at 2” and “ do not use “ for the access cab 4x4. Anybody have a reason why ? We are talking 1/4” . All the other setting are almost equal when you comparing the two and the settings .
Thanks .

 

If the Bilstein instructions say do not use....then don’t use them. They did the R&D!

Use at your caution. Otherwise do as you please. Lots of people use the 2nd gen 6112 for he 3rd gens and use max setting when not intended for he 3rd gens.

Good luck

 

aaaaah, thanks but I kinda figured that much out already. There is a lot of knowledge out there and I was only looking for a reason why .Thanks.

 

Follow the instructions. Don’t mess up the ride. I’m on 6/5 setting and the ride is awesome. Rides better then stock OR suspension. I also did the UCAs

 

Thanks for the response guys , I do appreciate it . I always planned on going with the recommended #4 and #5 settings all along but it just makes me wonder why that extra 1/4” is not recommended . Is the access cab models 1/4” away from some kind of suspension failure ? (I know it’s not, but just saying) Is it a ride quality issues ? Alignment issues ? That’s all . Just being nosy.
Humper 13 , you Tacoma looks great . What did you do to lift the rear and how high ?

 

Access cab is lighter therefore giving you more lift/preload for the 6112s. You’d honesty probably fine just on flat surfaces but if your off-roading/really crappy roads around town the ride will feel pretty harsh hitting big bumps etc and possibly damaging the 6112s.

It’s the reason why they say don’t use it.

 

Using 6/5 setting with 6112 with 650 coils, 5160 in rear.
Also to give you reference for rear lift , using Icon RXT leaf pack option 3 for a 3in” lift have 1.5” of rake, if you wanted a leveled look go with option 2. Preparing my truck for a steel rear bumper and bed rack

 

Thank you, I have 5160s in the rear with a Headstronf 3 leaf pack. I removed the overload and glad I did.

 

Yep , more to think about . I’m gonna add a cap and steel rear bumper too .
I also like a little positive rake myself .

 

That makes sense now. Thanks for clearing that up for me .
My 6112’s were set up by Wheeler to get me around the 2.25 “ of lift that I asked for . Probably a little miss communication on the fact it is an access cab but stuff like that happens,, no biggie . By no means am I trashing Wheeler ,, they have been AWESOME from start to finish . The folks there are great .
The directions claims I’ll only get 1.65 “ of lift at the #4 and #5 slots . I’m lookin for more than that so I can fit larger tires under it . Guess I’ll install them on Monday and see how it looks and take it from there . Hope it’s enough lift .
I lifted my 02 Tacoma many years ago , and it was not this confusing . It was a 2.5 “ lift In the front and 1.5” for the rear . One shot deal and worked great .
Thanks again for the input all , your trucks look great.

 

2in lift can fit 285s. All depends on your wheel specs, true tire size as some are 32.8”/33”/33.3” and most important UCAs of a caster of 2.5-3ish to tuck them in. 2” lift can even support 35” tires. Depends on your setup, but a full size bumper does help.

 

Hey Guys- the more and more I research things, the more it seems people stay away from the 5/6th notches saying it rides harsh. Or they regret going at the highest notches. Only a few like @oscolivar1 seem to like it. Marie from HS also said she hears this a lot and advised against it. Is it really that bad? Is the 4/5th notch a good compromise? It seems to me that Bilstein made these in anticipation that people would run them at any of the notches, so wouldn't they make sure it was a decent ride throughout the range?