Lifting a 2015, completely lost on how front coils work. Advice?

Hey Tacoma world. Currently planning on picking up a 2015. It currently has a 2" procomp lift all around which is a mall crawler lift, and i am planning on putting Bilstein shocks. I understand how the rear is lifted, they added a leaf and put a new shock on, however I'm confused on how the front coils works. I am coming from a 1991 Hilux with the torsion bar styled front end, so coil springs are a new thing to me.

My overall goal is to lift the front about 2-2.5", and have as comfortable of a ride off road as i can. I currently don't plan on installing a front bull bar anytime soon, but skid plates in the front are an option i might do. So i don't need anything with big weight ratings. I would be getting some mid travel UPC as well.

So i understand how the coils go over the struts, however I'm reading terms like .85 adjustable lift, lifted coil springs, leveled coil springs, there are posts of people saying the 5100 is set at 1.75 but the videos I've seen don't even have that option. I've spent an hr reading posts on here and im still lost.

So far where i am at, is getting 5100s, OME883 coils, and put the 5100 at the 2.5" setting? I am also reading that doing the 2.5" setting can make the ride stiffer than stock as well, which at that point why don't i just buy strut spacers to achieve my lift instead? Or should i go with Eibach coils?

 

From the Bilstein site here is the installation sheet for a 2015.
The 5100s have a lower spring circlip which is put in one of 4 slots to set height of the spring - actually initial compression.

 

.85 adjustable lift - This is usually referring to the Bilstein 5100's adjustable notches. @muddog321 has you covered with the diagram above.

leveled coil springs - These are coils that lift you vehicle just a bit to get rid of the factory rake, like the OME883's.

lifted coil springs - these lift your vehicle more than just leveling it (think 2-4 inch ranges, usually), the OME884, 885 and 886 would be categorized here.

5100 is set at 1.75 - this just refers to the four adjustment clips, 0, .85, 1.75 and 2.5. The higher the clip the more preload, which often, but not always, translates to a rougher ride.


Depending on the cab configuration (XtraCab vs Double Cab) it sounds like OME884's or 885's and the 5100's set at 0 might suit your needs better.

You'll get the lift you're after without the harsh ride of the 5100's set at 2.5.

 

The more lift you have, the worse ride as well, as you are generally adding preload to the coil to get the lift. Also you are losing down travel which is very important for a good ride. I would try to only lift 1-2 inches if ride is more important to you.

Also, the bilstein 6112 are more expensive that 5100 + OME coils, but they will ride much better, plus give some additional down travel. I would recommend them combined with bilstein 5160 in the rear if you can afford it. It is a much better setup.

 

X2

Sound advise.

 

Thanks for that diagram. I watched 2 videos, and the notches were labelled Stock, 1", 2", and 2.5" so i was confused on the conflicting information. That diagram makes much more sense.

This is a double cab shortbox

So looking at the 6112's, lets use this listing as an example. I could put it on the 1.75 setting, maybe do a 1" body lift (Not looking to discuss the body lift, i've seen enough back and forth about doing them on here lol). and have enough space to clear 33's? Or are these already lifted coils from the stock setting?

Now for the cheap 5100's. If i wanted about a 2" lift on a light front end, i could pair them with the OME 884s, put it at stock setting, and I'll achieve my lift?

My brother has Eibach springs on his 5100's, unsure what setting they are on. Are these stock height springs?

If i did go the 6112's in the front, i would honestly cheap out and still go 5100's in the back just to even out the budget.

Appreciate the insight so far guys.

 

Here is a good chart for the 5100s and different OME springs

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/uploads/1/1/8/4/11846658/lift_guide_rev_4.pdf

 

I don't know if this helps, but I shot this video a little bit back about lifting and fitting bigger tires. Used 6112s on a 4runner in the video, but essentially the same front suspension as your truck. Body lift will help clear bigger tires with less rubbing. I am personally against body lifts because they do nothing but give a little tire clearance and a higher center of gravity, but to each their own. A body lift won't help clear the cab mount though, which is the only spot you really rub with 33s anyway

 

So I could go 5100s on the stock c clip setting, with OME 885s, and have 2.25 of lift with a smooth ride?

It sounds like the 6112 (with the included coil) with stock c clip height is 0" of lift. Wont moving it up to the 2.5" setting cause a stiffer ride and be worse than the 5100s at that point?

Appreciate the help thus far, starting to understand how this stuff works.

 

Jeremy,
885's and Bilsein 5100's set at 0 will get you a great ride on and off road. I have this setup. My truck is a 2015 also. It is the 885 coil spring that gives you the lift, 2 1'2 inches in front. With this setup you will not need UCA's and this setup is not too expensive.

The ride is stiffer if you put the shocks on a different setting. this will accually stress the shock in the long run.

 

Ok thanks, that makes sense. However researching the 6112's, how do i figure out what the stock height is? Or do i just put OME springs on them?

For example, i want 6112's, with 2.5' of lift. Wouldn't putting that setting higher up on the 6112 worsen the ride quality to the point that 5100's on stock setting with larger OME springs be the better choice? Or is there something i am missing here?

Do i put the Old Man Emu springs on the 6112's to achieve my lift, and the better ride quality comes from the shocks?

 

887’s and 5100’s gave me 2.5”. Did Dakar mediums and 5125’s in rear. Also did UCA’s (yes even tho I ‘didn’t need them’)
I would recommend my setup to anyone not pulling the trigger on the big guns (kings etc). It’s awesome.

 

Thanks for the thread. I was looking for related information. Cheers