Advice on lifting the rear and keeping it stiff

Hey all, I'm new to suspension lifts and am having a bit of a hard time understanding a few things. Sorry if this belongs in the suspension forum. So I just installed a set of Method 305 NVs along with 265/70/17 Falken Wildpeaks, and because of (I'm assuming) the offset of the Methods, I'm now getting some tire rub when at an angle. So I'm wanting to do an inexpensive lift, while keeping the factory rake of the truck. I only want to lift it around 1.5-2 inches. My questions are this

• I want to keep the factory rake but I have a Tepui RTT weighing 185 lbs that I plan on keeping on the truck. If I simply do an AAL to the rear how much of a lift does that give me with the tent? Would I need to get a 3 pack to keep the rear stiff and maintain the rake?

• I've been researching and it looks like the Bilstein 5100's are a good inexpensive route for lifting the front of the truck, but I'm not sure if I'm just supposed to order coils as well as the shocks, how does that work? Do I also need a pair for the rear in addition to the AAL?

• Around what ballpark can I expect the installation of all these parts to cost me? I don't have a garage at the moment unfortunately

• I do some light offroading, if there is a better kit you guys recommend than the Bilsteins I'm open to hearing any advice I'm not 100% set on them.

Sorry if any of my English or terminology is wrong, any help is greatly appreciated. Here's a photo of how high the truck is with the RTT.

 

Running 5100s front and rear is a nice friendly budget around $600? pretty simple install, most people would do an AAL or a leaf pack. (tons of videos online)

I think you're rubbing against your mudflaps. Most people get rid of them.

You can probably find a local "MOD DAY" near your region. Tacomas owner will probably coach you through installing your suspension and AAL.

I'm also learning myself! So please correct me LOL.
@HeadStrong Off-Road they can help you out.

 

if I were you, I would go with an HD leaf pack from old man emu. It will give you the rake you wanted back to the stock ish look. Otherwise I’m saying do not go with the aal’s.

5100’s will be fine in your method of usage.

depending on who’s installing, try giving Rogue Offroad a call, they are pretty local to you.


If you don’t like the idea of the 5100s all around, maybe check out the bilstein 6112/5160 setup with HD Dakar leafs. Maybe some SPC UCA’s to complete it all.

 

Thank you it is the mudflaps that are rubbing, I'll remove those as well. I was also planning on ordering through headstrong when I'm ready.

Okay, can you point me in the direction of everything I would need to get to go with that setup? I'm still not sure if I need to buy the springs or just the shocks. And UCA is upper control arm right? I'm trying to get as much of a list as possible without having to buy those. Thank you!

 

So if I read this correctly, you will have 180# in the bed at all times? I'd recommend Dakar medium leaf springs or a 3 leaf AAL. I have Dakar mediums, I hauled a gun safe recently. Safe was over 300 pounds. The truck didn't squat at all, it handled and drove like nothing was in the bed.

I run my dakars with bilstein 5125 (extended 5100). Love the ride.

 

I read the title and wasn't sure what I would find.....

 

90% of the time yes. So medium Dakar leafs in the rear. And the bilsteins in the front only? Or rear as well?

 

Yeah I caught that after I posted haha

 

If you lift the rear with aal or dakar springs, you need to install longer shocks. Bilstein is one brand. If you don't have time to do the research, I'd call Wheelers offroad or Headstrong. They will steer you in the right direction.

 

In all honesty. I would rather have the HD pack, and not need it, than to need it, and not have it. The harshness of the ride Is not even bad. I did the hd pack because I wasn’t about to have the medium pack sag on me at first weight. Fuck that. You said you wanted a stiffy, so I’m telling you how to
Get a stiffy in your bed. (Hahahah, this sounds so off putting..) but no seriously, the mediums are ok if you literally put nothing in the back with very minimal loads. But with a RTT, I would recommend a HD pack.


Here I am, running HD Dakar’s with a AAL in my HD DAKARS. I’m prepping for a GFC.

 

Dakar heavy are designed for consistant 660 pounds in the bed, they are stiffer. They also give more lift than the mediums. More lift = more chance of needing shims, carrier bearing drop, etc. The mediums can always be upgraded to the heavies, if it's not enough.

 

I didn’t need that. I was good.

 

Have you seen the way some people’s leaf packs look with the mediums or heavies? They look like a “w” shaped monstrosity of a leaf pack. OP, I take back what I said from earlier. Check out Dobinsons leaf packs.

 

The dakars were designed that way, to appear almost flat. Helps with axle wrap, handling etc. You own them, should know this.

Dobinsons are MEH.

 

I do. But I don’t like it.