3rd gen 5100's w/ AAL

I Installed the lift on Aug 19th and after installing A SSO slimline with a smittybuilt 10k X20 winch and some All pro sliders.

LF 23
RF 23
LR 24
RR 24

 

i like those numbers. did you list all that you have done to it on a diff post?

 

No,I haven't done a build thread.

 

how about a list of your suspension work/parts?

 

2nd gen billstiens all around,fronts set at zero with OME 888 coils D/S 1/4" spacer for Taco lean and headstrong 3 leaf AAL.

 

I had about 30 000 km on my when I put in 5100s and 887s. I had the busting vibe/noise immediately after lift. I have the bushing waiting for install

 

Here’s a copy of a letter Marie at Headstrong sent regarding this very topic: a lot of good info here- please call them if you decide to use their advice!

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The Bilstein 5100's are popular since they provide some additional and performance over stock while still being budget friendly however they can be a bit limiting off the road. Especially the new version for the 3rd gens. Since that is the case we do have quite a bit of people going with the 2nd gen Bilsteins on their 2016+'s. I created a thread comparing the two. Here is a link if you want to check it out: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-available-in-stock-and-ready-to-ship.455220/

You can run either of the Bilstein 5100's with the aftermarket lift coils we list or your factory springs. The lift coils will provide the lift and the Bilstein will remain at the zero setting. If you stay with your factory coils you would have to adjust the snap ring up to the desired settings on the shock itself. From the feedback I have, so far, people feel as if the top notch settings provide a less then desirable ride quality. In the case of the 3rd gen 5100's I have had a few customers dislike the ride from the 1.1 setting and above. Customers do turn to the lift coil option because they feel as if it supports the truck better and helps prevent the nose dives at stops and the sloshy cornering that you see with the stock suspension without being as stiff as the ride with the preloaded stock spring.. This all just comes down to which option you feel best suits your particular needs. Now or down the line.

In this realm of lifts you also have the OME suspension kits. I have many people who go back and forth between the Bilstein 5100's and the OME's. What typically differs from the Bilstein 5100 kits and the OME kits is the shocks themselves. Most of the other components stay the same (rear lift options). Since this is the case I find it helpful to compare the shocks side-by-side, this way you can see which ones would be suit your specific needs.

Some of the differences between the OME nitrocharger sport shocks and Bilstein 5100 shocks are below:
Bilsteins are a steel body that has been coated with their triple-C coating which seems to hold up better in the elements the powder coating that OME's has on their steel shocks.
There are two different OME struts available the standard 90000 which are the firmest and the 90021 soft ride struts. The Bilsteins fall in the middle as far as valving is concerned.
The OME's have a slightly larger shock diameter then the Bilsteins.
The Bilsteins are a monotube shock and the OME are twin tube.
The OME shocks have an internal component which can be noisy at times. Some people refer to it as the "speed bump clunk." The Bilsteins do not have this same component design.
The OME rear shocks will work the Dakar pack and not require bump stop modification or longer brake lines but they limit the amount of droop you see from the Dakar leaf pack. The standard length Bilstein 5100's really should be used with one of the add-a-leafs or a block up to 1.5". The extended length RCD/Bilsteins will also work with the Dakar leaf pack but longer brake lines are needed and possible bump stop modification but you get more droop from the pack.

The 6112 is a strut and coil combination which uses the notch settings on the shock with the coil provided to achieve lift. They come with a 600lb spring rate tapered coil. They have a much larger shock diameter then the factory shock (which is a 1.5" diameter and the Bilstein 5100's have a 2.0 diameter) which helps with the displacement to keep the shock cooler longer when under strain from an extended period of time. They are not fully adjustable or revalvable. However they are a nice upgrade over the stock suspension and the Bilstein 5100's. From most of the feedback I have, provide a nice on and off-road ride quality even at the higher notch settings. They have a steel body that has been zinc coated. They pair nicely with the 5160 remote reservoir rear shocks. Some people do run the 5100's with the 6112's if they do not need the added extension or the reservoir. I usually say that if the 5100 and a coilover unit like Fox had a baby, the 6112's would be what you get.

Up from this type of lift you have the ADS, Fox, Icon, and Kings which provide quite a bit more performance, capability, and adjustability. If you want to go over these options more in depth I can provide you with information on these as well.

For the rear you can go with either a block, a single leaf add-a-leaf, a 3-leaf progressive add-a-leaf or a full leaf pack replacement. (If you want to explore the full leaf pack option let me know and I can go over the different options that we have available). Since you tow you do could benefit from just an airbag suspension in back. https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p225/FireStone_Ride-Rite_Air_Bags_for_2005-2016_Tacoma.html

The lift achieved from any kind of spring, whether it is a leaf spring or a coil spring, is a variable lift. Meaning that the amount of lift achieved can vary. Depending on the condition of your factory pack and how it responds to the addition of the aal you can see a difference in lift height. On average the aal will provide approx. 1.5"-2" of rear lift. The ride quality will be stiffer from the use of either style of aal since you are adding more steal out back. However you do gain some added load carrying capabilities. The nice thing about a lift block is it is a 1 for 1 ratio meaning that a 1.5" block will provide 1.5" of lift so it is easier to fine tune rear lift and stance with a block over a variable lift from an aal. The block will maintain the factory ride quality but does not provide any added capabilities. It really comes down to which lift option you feel you would prefer.

I have a lot of people who are interested in the add-a-leafs. Since that is the case, I find it helpful to provide my customers with this comparison of the add-a-leafs so you can narrow down which one you feel would best suit your needs and get the spec's on each:

The single AAL is both thicker and arched more than the initial leaf in the 3 leaf AAL. Though the 3 leaf AAL has more steel overall, the first leaf in the mini pack does not engage as quickly as the single AAL does. In fact the single AAL is arched to a point where it re-arches the existing factory packs upon assembly and thus engages immediately. The 3 leaf AAL has less arch and complies with the arch of the factory packs. So although the first leaf in the 3 leaf AAL will provide some support with the smaller bumps, it won't provide as much as the single AAL will, which translates to a slightly stiffer on-road ride. And as far as the 2nd and 3rd leafs in the 3 leaf AAL, these will only come into play until the factory packs are flexed far enough to engage them. This will happen more so over the bigger bumps or when off-roading. The single leaf provides approx. 1.5"-2" of lift and the 3-leaf provides approx. 1.5" of lift with the factory overload removed and approx. 2" with it retained. The overload does provide function, for when you are over load, so removing it or retaining it can depend on what you use your truck for. If you find yourself hauling or towing a decent amount of weight you may want to keep the overload in to keep the factory pack and add-a-leaf from overflexing. Now the performance and capabilities of any of the add-a-leafs still do rely on the factory leaf pack and its capabilities and wareability.
Basically, from the feedback I have, the single leaf provides a stiffer ride quality but better initial support of consistent weight and the 3-leaf provides a better ride quality and as more of the leafs are engaged then the weight support comes into play.

We do not offer installations at this time however we do work with some places in town who install products purchased from us at a discount. Once you decide on the set up I can help get a quote for you.

Please let me know if there is anything else that I can assist you with.
Thank you so much.
Marie
www.headstrongoffroad.com
headstrongoffroad@hotmail.com
951-658-3030

 

thanks for sharing

 

So I put on the 887s with 5100s and an aal on my 2017. I notice a slight vibration in the rear while decelerating below like 20. It’s just a slight rumble, but I don’t remember it from before the lift. I already did the ecgs bushing. Is that “axle wrap”? What can solve this?

 

I have not heard of getting axle wrap from an AAL; that can happen when adding lift blocks, and you would normally feel that when accelerating from a stop or stopping suddenly.

The only thing that I can think of is to make sure that the U bolts are tightened to the proper specs. Also may as well check the lugs on the rear tires and see that they are properly tightened to spec.

I hope that it is a something simple fix like that.

 

I checked the torque on each of those yesterday. It’s really not bad, just a very slight vibration and that could just be harshness everyone talks about with the aal mixed with some all terrain tires.

 

I am about to order the exact same set up you have. Hopefully you solve this issue!

 

I had my buddy ride with me who knows about this stuff and he laughed when I asked him about the vibration. He said he didn’t notice anything at all. I guess since I put it on myself I’m just looking for something I messed up on haha.

 

Still happy with it after a few miles? Stock uca, alignment went well? Stock wheels for now or has been upgraded since lift?

 

I’m running deaver aal with 5100’s and 887’s. Looking to upgrade to the dakars HD LEAFSPRINGS very soon. Along with bilstein 5160’s.

The aal’s are good. But i want a more permanent solution for leafsprings. Since i’ll be adding a rtt and a roof rack... along with armor and sliders... the additional weight will take its toll on suspension. Upgrading all suspension in due time is necessary as youve added additional weight..


Thanks marie, you’ll be hearing from me again soon for your business. @HeadStrong Off-Road

 

Couldn’t be more happy with it. Stock uca, alignment went well it drives straight and decently tight. I still have stock wheels and tires but it looks like the truck skipped leg day haha.

 

Looks great! Exact setup im going for, except I don’t plan on doing the rtt and rack set up so im hoping the single aal will hold me over for awhile but i know eventually it will be a whole leaf pack going in.

What kind of rubber is on that? 285?

 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I just installed the Bilstein 5100's with OME 888's and Dakar leaf pack. Rides better than stock. 5100's aren't harsh to me at all. I thought the 888's were going to be too stiff but they're great!

 

yes falken at3w 285

 

I have a 5100/887, AAL, LR UCAs, extended SS brake lines & ECGS bushing on order from Low Range Offroad. The kit hasn’t arrived but I already have buyers remorse with the rear. I’m thinking I should have gone with a full leaf pack and better rear shocks.