A leveling conundrum..

Hey y’all.

So, when I purchased my truck the previous owner had a steel front bumper on it. It was about 130 lbs or so.

I didn’t care for it, and luckily found another TW goer who was willing to trade. So it all worked out!

My issue is this.. someone pointed out that it sits higher in the front. Which would make sense based upon removing 100+ pounds lol

I measured and it’s 24 from center hub in the front, 23.5 in the rear. So def riding higher, even by a little.

The previous owner also installed Eibach stage one suspension on the truck. Which I understand is adjustable to some extent? And perhaps they adjusted it to level with the front heavier bumper?

Anyway, I’m just kind of stuck on this one. On one hand, I can add blocks to the rear, and level it that way. On another hand I can pay a local shop 500+ to take the struts off and adjust them for me. I’m just conflicted on how I should proceed here. Is it really that bad looking?

I am running 265/75/16’s. I could put bigger tires on, and maybe it would look better, but 285/75’s May rub the Tuff-Country UCA’s. Which would mean I’d either need a spacer or need to buy new wheels with an offset. So… idk. I’m calling on y’all for some expert advice. Thank you for any help!

My only goal.. is that I don’t want to negatively impact ride quality or cause damage because of geometry issues.

Here is a photo of it as it sits. Sometimes it’s more noticeable depending on the terrain I’m on lol. I never really noticed it until someone else pointed it out.

 

Stage 1 is adjustable, however, you will need to take off the front shock/spring assembly and lower the retaining clip. They have install instructions available on their website. You should look to see what setting they are before you pull them.

 

Thank you. Would you recommend I adjust that over buying a rear block?

 

Once you see it you can't unsee it. I know by experience. As far as geometry goes don't worry about harming your truck in any way if you like the look The trail editions have the front lifted higher than the back on purpose - as do a lot of taco owners. If you like the ride and look, you're def not hurting anything.

 

Oh, I didn’t know that! You don’t think it looks silly as it sits? Folks around here love them some Carolina squat haha, def not trying to do that!

 

Allllll personal preference. I don't like a sagged look if it's because my leafs can't handle the weight etc. But if the suspension is set up that way on purpose (for off roading etc) I don't think I'd mind it. My sag bugged me because it was due to my oem leafs bottoming out. That doesn't sound like your case. Maybe go look at your leafs and see if they still have arc in them?

 

Sounds like the perfect excuse to get a new leaf pack

 

I would readjust fronts it was set for the extra weight/steel bumper. Your ride will improve as well.

 

Checked the leaf setup. I have a 5 pack, they look good!

I also heard the ride may improve if I adjust the front. Could be worth the 500 or so to pay someone to do it lol

 

$500 is negative

If you are mechanically incline, I would remove the struts and either rent a spring compressor or have a shop do it. Don't forget to to get it align

Youtube have installs and removals

 

You don't need to remove the coils to adjust. The whole coilover comes out as a unit that is adjusted

 

is there any lift in the rear? Eibach's lift up to 2" in the front which is where it appears to be set at. If you're happy with the ride quality I would leave it and put a 1.5" add a leaf in the rear.

 

Doesn't the Eibach lift utilize clips like the 5100's?

 

My understand after speaking to the guy at Eibach was that they do use clips.

Also, I have the 5 leaf pack in the rear, so I know this will sound dumb, but is that my rear lift? I don’t see any blocks or anything else back there lol. Again, I’m sitting at Ike 23.5 rear and 24 front. I believe stock is around 21/22 or something?

 

will sit level if you removed that heavy metal bed cover. im having the opposite problem where my add a leaf added too much to the rear so im changing that soon.

 

16x8.5 rims with some poke and 33s.

 

Ah, I didn’t even think about that. I do have a Body Armour 4x4 desert series rear bumper, and that Diamondback SE on there…

 

doubt the bumper will make much of a difference compared to the bed cover.

 

True true. Honestly, I may just keep everything how it is. A local shop, trusted and good mind you, just told me even they will be around 5-600 to adjust my front struts lol. May get some beer, and a mechanically inclined buddy to help me if I rent the machine and DIY. Should I even decide. I don’t personally think it’s THAT noticeable or bad. Just need some bigger tires and to call it a day.

 

i installed the springs on my strut and it wasnt bad. all you have to do is compress to the point where you can adjust the rings down and you are good to go. Getting to it is the hard part (unless you can compress when on the vehicle.)