Suspension lift question

Hello. I recently purchased a used 2016 Tacoma 4x4 OR short bed with 265/75/16 tires on it.

I’ve done a bit of digging on TW but I’m beginning to get confused. I want a 3 inch lift in the front and want to level the rear (which I think would be 2 inch in the rear??).

I don’t want blocks or spacers. Very rarely do I carry anything more a couple heavy things in the bed (help friends with moving things once in a blue moon). Very rarely do I go off-road (I hit dirt maybe once every three months if that). So I know I don’t need anything with reservoirs but I do want to keep the ride quality (I know there’s a bit of a trade off here).

So from reading along, I was thinking coil overs (I think that’s what you call strut and springs together) in the front (maybe the 6112 bilstein or eibach brand). Looks like I’ll need UCA’s and new rear struts as well. Im still debating on AAL or a new leaf pack all together. And add new bushings as someone on here suggested.

I would like a buy once cry once kit since I wouldn’t really know how to piece everything together. Also Way down the line I will be adding 285’s/33” tires. Am I missing something here? And are there any suggestions? Thanks.

 

My situation is very similar.. Here's what I'm doing:

Bilstein 5160/6112 Combo (Set at the 6th notch with 1/4 shim to correct lean)
Deaver Expedition full leaf pack - Stage 1 (0-300lb bed weight)

 

6112’s / 5160’s here as well. Stoked on set up. Let me know how you like the stage 1. Thinking about doing that eventually. AAL is working for now. When does it stop!! LOL!!

 

What notches did you do? UCA's? Did you get the truck to align?

 

OP UCA’s just do it when you do everything. Include ECG’s bushing as well. While you have front end apart. Uppers IMO are needed for a good alignment and driving.

 

I did 6/5 no lean spacer and aal in rear

 

3” is too much. Lower that get better performance and reliability and put the savings in a better kit.

opinion

 

I'm going 6/6 notch with a 1/4 shim for a full 2.5 up front. Deaver expedition full 2" pack in the rear. We'll see on alignment & possible UCA's etc.

 

UCA’s are going to be needed just saying. I said the same thing before I got mine

 

You mention a lean. Are you referring to the lean that comes from the one side of the truck that is heavier? I am imagining a side to side lean instead of a forward to back lean. If so how and with what do you correct that with?

 

Set your 6112’s at 6/5 and your good. Unless you want to add for extra lift. I would stay at What Bilstein suggests that’s me. Good luck

 

What do you suggest would be a good lift height that would get me better performance and reliability?

or is it the notch placement that I would need to lower?

 

You correct it with notch placement on the front. 6 on one notch and 5 on the other.

 

Oh ok I see what you mean.

 

Isn’t that what I said Your welcome

 

The Bilstein 5160/6112 Combo will max out at 2.5 inches of lift. It's the best bang for your buck. If you want 3 inches or higher you need to look at Kings, Fox etc. (Really expensive)

 

So I’m not an expert. I researched for about 4 months paying particular attention to my driving style most of the time. Frankly I drive too fast and live to take corners at speed. This puts a lot on spring rates and shock recovery design. I quickly realized a digressive shock suited my primary goal. And while that affects whoops the bump and yawl is the payoff. Then I wanted 285s for looks and clearance but went with 70s to give me no CMC. Lastly I got a killer kit (iCon 8) and set it at 2.125 so it had plenty of room left and wasn’t torquing the lower suspension. Now I can hit speed bumps at 70 and take corners at street lights at 45.

 

I’m still confused (lol) but I think I’m going with 6112/5100 (on 6/6), shim (for lean), AAL, UCA, and ECG bushings.

It seems like this is all I would need to get 2.5 in front and 1.5 in rear (I would settle for 2 front 1 rear). At this point I’m settling on bilstein unless eibach comes up as a total package deal when buying.

 

Out of curiosity, why go with 5160 in the rear? I see it has a reservoir. Is this for better off road performance? I would be using it 90% of the time as a daily driver. Would I be better off with 6112/5100??

 

I ended up getting the bilstein 6112 front on 6/5 and 5160 rear with icon 3 leaf add a leaf. I went with the spc UCA’s.

I installed everything myself. Noticeable different but I still want extra height lol. Looks really good though.