5100 bilstein + 885 OME Combo

Hey guys I just purchased my tacoma not to long ago and I am really set on getting a 3" lift on it. I dont offroad to much mostly highway miles but i will go camping and take some trails on occasions when needed. I am very new to the truck suspension world, ive worked on cars a bunch and i want to do it right the first time.

I was thinking of doing all 4 billes set at 0 and getting the 885 OME springs. If i have to i might put on 1/2 spacers to get the full 3 inches. I also want to do 2" AALs in the back to level. Does anyone have this set up or know much about it and how it will ride? or how the OMEs do with billies? Do i need to get uca's for this set up? if need be then i will also purchase those. Not sure what else i would need. And maybe some help on if i need to get new springs for the rear. i cant get a straight answer from all the research. I really do hope to get some help from you guys if possible. TW has been awesome to me since ive used it.

 

Welcome to TW! There's a ton of info here and you can search threads to find what you're looking for: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/suspension.18/

I don't have 885's, but Eibach 620's and 5100's are at 0. The ride is stiffer than the stock Sport suspension (in a good way) and much less body roll. I'm sure others will chime in on their experience w/ the 885's. As for UCA's, I'd plan on it. I've learned it's typically recommended for 2.5"+ in order to keep alignment w/in spec. You should be squared away in the rear w/ your 2" AAL assuming you have new u-bolts?

 

I just finished up the last details of my install today.....2011 DCSB, TRD OR. New Bilstein 5100's front and rear. 885X's, 1/2" plate on drivers side only (needed that to get it level side to side) Deavers 2" AAL in the rear. After running the front setup for a couple days, it settled out to be a 2-3/4" lift (from stock) Rear is a full 2" lift (from stock) Ride is incredible! Much smoother than the TRD coils/stock shocks (that had 84,000 miles on 'em) I've got 265/75/r16 Goodyear Duratracs (load range C) on stock TRD OR wheels, along with 1" Bora wheel spacers. The entire setup is ideal for my needs, again, the ride is excellent. With the 2-3/4" of lift, my alignment hit specs with adjustment cams almost in the middle of their range. No need for UCA's....Could have gone higher and still aligned without new UCA's. Top plates don't add preload to coils....They just move the strut down a little, so adding spacers later will not hurt ride quality. I started to do 887's to get a full 3", but didn't want to push the envelope with alignment.....No need for new U-bolts with 2" AAL. Stock U-bolts work just fine. Happy with what I got. Would do the very same thing all over again....

I've had a couple other brands of lifts on Tacoma's as well as a bunch of other brands of trucks. I'm happier with this combination that any I've used so far.

 

I have the setup you are asking about. If you want 3" you should look at 887 coils, they have the same spring rate as the 885 but they should get you to 3" of lift.
I started out with just the 885 coils +1/4 spacer on drivers side for the lean, the lift settled at 2 1/2" and I thought the ride was great. I ran this setup with stock UCA and it was ok. Only On the highway at 70 and up the truck felt boatish, like I really had to keep my hands firm on the wheel.
After a couple of years springs settled a little more and my 285s started rubbing so I added the spacers to get a full 3" of lift (1/2 on drivers side and 1/4 on passengers) this preloaded the springs and made it more harsh on the ride, not bad but very noticeable.

 

This is probably the most commonly used combination of lift parts used today. Literally thousands of these on the road (and OFF) Contact Marie @ Headstrong Offroad for the best prices available. She can answer all your questions too.

 

Yes Welcome to TW. I have that exact setup. Bilstein 5100's set at 0 up front and OME 885x's which supply the actual lift. I am running stock UCA's.
I have a 1/2" plate on drivers side for the TACO lean. In the rear a Deavers 2" AAL and 5100's.
I have been running this for about 3 weeks now on and off road.
I ended up at 2 1/2 of lift.

I love it. As stated above the ride is great. The ride is stiffer in a good way NO breaking dive, there is no swaying around corners.
The ride is very smooth on and off road.

I could not be happier. Headstrong Offroad is great to work with.

 

So from what I'm hearing is to avoid having it settle and getting any lower than 3" then I should just go wth the 887 coils and maybe add 1/4 spacer for driver side lean. I do want to get rid of the boating feeling as well so maybe I will just do it on both sides. I will also stick with the 2" AALs and hopefully that will get me close to level. With the 887s I will also need to get new UCAs and new ubolts is what I'm assuming( or not?). But I don't mind if it will get my alignment in the green. Is there anything else that I am missing for a solid suspension and no reprocussions? I'm trying to fit 285+ tires without rub and I don't mind to do a little trimming. I have already taken off my front flaps as well.

 

No springs in rear. Just a shock and leaf pack. You're set with the 5100's and 2" AAL. Rubbing will likely depend on the wheel and tire combo you're running.

 

Front air splitters need to go as well. Same setup basically (eibachs, 265-75 wranglers are the difference) and it's been on for about a year. My front end is a solid 2-1/2" still (taco lean plate installed) but my back end is starting to look a little low and I wish I could dial in the caster angle... It aligned "fine" but doesn't have the most direct, straight ahead feel. I'll eventually get to it but I would do only 2 things different-

I'd opt for replacement leaf springs as opposed to the full length AAL's.

I'd put a set of UCA's on just to be able to dial that caster number in. I'm sure I'd be able to get that rock solid straight ahead feel if I had done them.

That said, I'm happy with it the way it sits and non-truck people who ride in my truck remark about how well it rides (for a truck...haha)

 

damn nice trucks! they look great with the lift. and thank you for your recommendations i will be making my cart soon

 

So.... Is the general consensus here that UCAs are needed with 885s? I keep searching and finding conflicting answers

 

From my research you don't need UCAs for 885s unless you put bigger spacers on them. But the closer u get to 3" like with 887s then u will need them

 

No TJ, Not in my opinion and some others. I have 885's and 5100's set at 0 and this is giving me 2 1/2" of lift (Measured) My alignment is all good and holding fine.
I have been running this now on my 2015 for about a month and a half with no issues. high speeds and off road with no issues.

 

885's or 2 1/2" of lift is right at the edge where some people report needing them and others say they are okay. I'm going with this lift and will probably install in the next few weeks and decided to go ahead and get UCA's since I didn't want loose steering at highway speeds and didn't want to have to dive into it again down the road if they are needed.

 

Do you think you could clear 285 with this setup?

 

Thanks guys! Do y'all think that I may get more lift that 2.5" due to be fact that I have an AC? I'm thinking that I may end up a bit higher. And if so, would that change your opinion

 

I did my install with 5100's all 4 corners and OME 885x coils last month:


I definitely need aftermarket UCA's. I went with JBA's since their price point was within budget and they have a quality product.



I'm sitting a tad nose high at 2.5 inches of lift on my DCSB and worn out rear 4 leaf TSB pack. I added firestone riderite airbags to help load leveling when hauling, plus I can add air to add visual lift when empty.

I love the ride. A lot firmer, no more bottoming out over speed bumps or pot holes especially over the terrible roads here in SoCal, LA area.

 

Absolutely.....but with the same trimming and cab mount chop that would be required with just about any lift configuration and 285's.....

 

wonder why some need new UCAs and others don't.

 

Where do you get the spacer for the driver side strut?