I’m an idiot, please help… (questions about lift & level)

Feel free to make fun, I definitely would, haha.

Backstory:

I’ve always wanted to level my Tacoma, and add a C4 Hybrid bumper. She is (well, was) stock everything, minus a steel rear bumper after an idiot cracked the old one in a parking lot hit and run.

I thought to myself about getting bilstein 5100 ride height adjustables for the front, to make a cost effective little level. So I did.

Prior to installing them, I thought to myself, “well heck, I want to add that bumper in the future, maybe I’ll get some beefier coilovers. I chose the OME 2886s. It seemed to be a poplar-ish enough combo, as long as the clips on the 5100s are set at zero. Plus, the 886s lift the front 2”, perfect! Spoiler alert, it’s not perfect. Haha.

I considered doing an OME UCA, but the research said as long as I keep the front lift 2” or less, stock would be fine.

The Day of the Dumb (it’s my new holiday, mark your calendars folks!):

I took my taco to my trusted shop. So stupidly excited… I presented them with the OME 2886s, the 5100 ride height adjustables, etc.

Half way through the install my mechanic calls me and tells me there will be some negative rake. I’m a little confused, this wasn’t part of the plan, “but maybe the shocks will settle, maybe once I put that bumper on it’ll come down a smidge” I thought.

I go to pick up the truck. My heart sinks and I begin laughing at my stupidity. (See photo below).

I squatted my perfectly fine truck. Face meets palm.

The Aftermath:

This happened yesterday, and I’m freaking out a little…. I’m terrified that I’m going to f**k my truck up related to the geometry of the front, I’m worried about the UCA. I’m worried about the frame, engine mount, etc due to the stiff spring. I dunno.

Basically I’m considering the following:

-eat the cost of taking it back to the shop, removing the 886 and replacing it with the OEM coil (which I kept luckily).

-lifting the back with a new leaf pack to level it out, but I don’t know if/what kind of rear shocks I’ll need (considering OME Dakar).

-giving it time to “break in” and eventually adding new UCAs

Literally any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated, even if you make fun of me during the process, because it’s well deserved. Haha.




EDIT: here are some photos of the front suspension

 

Put AAL on the back and it will level the truck. $100 and a few hours of your time.
Edit. With 5100 rear shocks

 

Well stock the rear sits about 1” higher than the front. By going with 2” front and nothing rear you got your squat.

Just put 5100 rear shocks with AAL and call it a day.

 

I agree with the above post. A beefy leaf pack will probably level it out, at least when the bed is empty. I don’t think any amount of “settling” will fix that rake though lol

Maybe the Icon RXT pack on level 2 or 3, or something similar.

 

From what I remember 886 coils aren't reccomended to be run with 5100's

 

As per your handle I woulda kinda thought you'd offer up a little sarcasm...4 out of 10...would not read again

 

Sarcasm is only offered during regular business hours. For immediate support, please open an IT ticket.

 

2" lift on 886 with a heavy loaded front (bumper winch, etc.). Once install the bumper, the front will sag a bit

 

Please call a shop, let them advise you, do exactly what they say.
It's obvious you don't know much, bless your heart.

 

I appreciate the input! Do you think new UCAs would be needed?

 

I spoke with them immediately after, the mechanic suggested adding spacers to the rear, but I figured I'd do an AAL at minimum. I'm just primarily concerned about the UCAs.

 

Do the alignment first and see if it can be dialed in without the UCAs first.

I have 2” lift all around and run factory UCAs.

 

Alignment was done at the shop, everything looks great on that end. Thank you again btw!

 

Then I wouldn’t worry about UCAs right now. And you are welcome.

 

Icon AAL. Cheap, easy to install. You'll be set.

 

I gotta say that you're a good story teller.
AS suggested above, AAL. If you get a heavy ront bumper, it will level it for you lol.

 

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on an most excellent first post.

 

Put some rims and tires , and an aal and youll be set ……

 

AAL, Rims and Tires, Supercharger, UCAs, Rock Sliders, Skids, Bumper and winch and youll be set.