2" Lift with camper shell?

Looking to get some input so I can plan out and budget for upgrading my truck.
Truck is a 22 sr5 2wd double cab sb. My daily, one and only vehicle, closest thing I do to off road is dirt roads to get to hunting or fishing spots. The first thing I have planned is a Leer camper shell. After the shell I want to give the truck a small lift, 2" front max so I don't have to worry about uca. I prefer to use stock uca to save some money.

Main question is: would this kit from Headstrong suit my needs of 2" lift all around after a camper shell is on? From what I've read I think it would, the ome 887 should get 2.5" of lift, probably settle to 2". And the HS progressive 3 aal should net 2" after the shell and be a comfortable ride? Of course the 5100s all around with the front at the zero setting.

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p401/OME_Coil/Bilstein_5100_Kit_(HS16BK-1).html

 

This is a 2016 2wd with the Eibach stage 1 first notch with the 3 leaf add a leaf from Headstrong. I also have a sleeping platform in the bed! Tires are 265/75/16 I am very happy with this setup!

 

Marie at Headstrong has your answer, not the people here.

As per her recommendations, I kept my standard coils, use the Dever add a leaf and kept the overload leaf, and 5100s set to 3rd notch 1.75 lift. I have lots of weight in back with a ARE MX shell.

 

I know this has no cap but it's basically the lift you linked to with the Headstrong 3 Leaf AAL with a 1/2" block in the back. I would say do a 1" block to help offset the cap weight (U-Bolts from Headstrong are long enough). Just remove the overload leafs as Headstrong suggests. I also added a front swaybar drop/relocation kit from Torch Offroad. I'm very happy with it so far (about a month and 2000 miles in). Also have a competent alignment shop that's familiar with lifted IFS trucks align it.

 

I would not go with aftermarket coils with the 5100s and your specific needs. Your truck will ride best on original coils so unless you plan to add a bunch of weight in the front the stock coils are probably best. I have 5100s on stock coils on the top notch and got 2" of lift.

I see a fair number of complaints about the "harsh" ride with 5100s but I think in most cases they swapped springs and that's where the real issue arose. Stock springs and 5100s work really well.

Invest the money you save on front coils for rear leaf pack. AAL would likely be fine and many people go that route but a better leaf pack is worth considering. I went with Icon RTX on option 2 and with my shell I'm still at 2" over stock height in the rear.

You might also want to consider the 5125 in the rear. It's basically a 5100 but designed for a bit more lift. The 5100s are advertised for up to 1" in the rear. I know people go more, but the 5125 just seemed the better option.

It's my daily driver too and rides pretty much the same as stock with maybe a bit better cornering and less dive when braking.

5100s top notch, 5125 in rear, Icon RTX option 2

 

Interesting use of black accent color (Bed Liner?) on your rig. I like that you did not run a straight line of black all the way across the bottom - the white "V's" which interrupt the black are interesting and since most of these rigs look the same, a well done different, is appreciated.

 

Wow amazing looking truck. I also plan on sticking with 265/75/16 tires with my stock sr5 wheels. Do you know how much lift you gained front and rear?

 

Are you running a cap on your truck?

 

Your truck is pretty much the setup I'm aiming for, bed cap + prinsu rack on top. First I need to pony up $3k for the leer...
My understanding was 5100s and stock coils should not be maxed out to the top notch? You haven't experienced any problems with the 5100s at the top notch?

 

I personally would skip an add a leaf. I am currently running the headstrong 3 leaf aal and am not impressed with any additional load carrying capacity. If you had an empty bed i think the headstrong aal would be a good option.

I am currently weighing replacement leaf pack options and will most likely go with the Icon Rxt option 3 or Deaver expedition stage 2.

 

Nope. Rides great. lots of misconception around how these work. I just tried to explain this in another thread. Someone else posted a similar explanation as well.

 

I would name this Willy, as in Free Willy. Love the two tone!

 

I’m not sure if this helps but here is a picture of my truck. 2021 SR5 4x4. ARE shell on the back. Bilstein 5100’s all around, set to the 5th perch on stock springs.

Rear is the Icon AAL with the 1/2” headstrong offroad shim underneath.

 

Since you have the DCSB (like me), you can set the 5100’s to the top notch. It’s only for certain other models that it’s not recommended. I confirmed this with multiple vendors before buying the 5100’s.

 

Marie said the 5100’s are not recommended to be set at the top of Tacomas like mine as well as they will over extend when flexed. The instructions mention this also.

 

That’s not what the directions say. Anyways, if you’re off-roading it could become an issue.

 

Here’s a letter that Marie sent to me regarding all this when I was shopping for a lift back in 2018 or so, it’s still pertinent today:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-bilstein-5100-question.724693/#post-25810862

 

Yes, I have a ARE MX with cargo rack on top, a Prinsu and RTT above the cab, full Mobtown steel plates and sliders underneath the truck, and a heavy plywood platform with a slide out and lots of equipment in the bed. It has stock bumpers, but also has a RIGD swing out in back. Here’s a photo of my pig:

 

Am I missing something?

According to this diagram, you can do 5th perch on a 4x4 DCSB. Maybe I’m not understanding something but I confirmed this with a reputable TW vendor.

Not trying to start an argument, just making sure I have the right info.

 

Ah, 6 foot bed! But it was also pointed out how far it can’t flex while my truck was on a rack when I had mine installed. It had to do with pre-loading on the coil spring. Thanks for the update. It was my mistake on the directions.