6112 assembly and missing parts

Rather than waiting for 6112’s to come back in stock at a vendor that assembles them, I elected to take advantage of the opportunity to buy an unassembled set.

The kit will be missing the top hat, and top hardware (nut/washer/bushing) obviously.

My gut is to go buy these parts so that I can assemble prior to stock coil over removal. I’m concerned that if I wait for removal I’m going to spend way too much time in assembling stock and assembling the new guys. I also thought it might make sense to get new top hardware particularly to replace the upper bushing.

Any thoughts on the wisdom here? Any guidance for assembly? First time compressing a spring.

Also, any recommendations on sourcing the parts? The installation instructions say to use Bilstein top hardware only, I wonder if they sell a kit.

 

wait what? I thought they're all the same.
Where'd you finally find some?
I heard Bilstein comes back in stock mid-march and at that point will start shipping to vendors currently out of stock.
I thought the parts came in a box. I didn't know there's any pre-assembly involved.

If you are missing top hats, those might be $30/ea if they are OEM.
But it might be Bilstein specific given that most or everything in the 6112 kit seems to be, including springs that fit over their shock (cannot re-use Old Man Emu springs, incompatible)

I would really hope a 6112 kit would be comprehensive and come with everything; to not seems dumb

For compressing I'd prefer using a Branick but don't have access to one currently
am not sure if other portable spring compressors can do the job or not

 

Unassembled 6112’s are available in a few places on eBay so I took a chance and ordered those. Otherwise who knows how long the wait might be.

You can order these coil overs two ways: the standard unassembled kit, or any reputable off-road shop will assemble them for you at whatever clip position you desire. At that point they’re essentially custom which is why they’re not offered that way from the manufacturer.

The unassembled kit intends for you to reuse your existing top hats. What I don’t understand is why Bilstein would want you to reuse the nut, washer and bushing on each coil over that secures the top hat over the spring. I imagine that bushing shouldn’t be reused at all as it mushrooms once the nut is torqued down.

 

Just buy a bushing/hardware kit.

Autozone shows a KYB set for 30$. I just Googled 2015 tacoma shock bushing hardware kit and there's options all over for 25-35$

 

The hardware kits are super confusing. One comes with the three nuts for the top hat screws but not the nut to secure the top hat onto the coil over. Another comes with multiple bushings and washers. It’s all very strange.

 

I bought this one from Amazon-

$39 KYB SM5640 - Mount Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00C7S0KA8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

the nut for the shock should come with the shock itself. The three nuts are for the studs. There is a way to use the truck as a compressor to help install them. Here is part 1 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6u7dC7EHg

The shocks should include the instructions for how the top hats should go together. They are here somewhere too.

 

I think you’re right that the nut comes with the coil over. For some reason it looked like a component that went under the top hat.

But now I’m wondering why there aren’t two washers per coil over, one to go underneath the top hat and the other one to go on top.

 

The top hat doesn't need any cushion against the shock tower, just bolt it up

The spring is the only thing that needs cushion against the hat

 

I just want to make sure I have all the hardware depicted above. I guess I’ll see what comes with the coil overs and what comes with the top hats.

 

So what I’ve learned is the rod adapter and top nut come with the coil overs. The bottom washer, top washer and top bushing come with the top mount (top hat) assembly. Just ordered the KYB set.

 

Found out that the auto skillz shop at the local base has a spring compressor stand, so this coil over assembly just got very easy…

 

Thats awesome. Having access to those is really nice benefit. I was going to share the shock clocking sheet I had but I can’t seem to find it right now. If I end up finding it I’ll share it.