Bilstein 5100s on 2012+ Models- Question

I have a 2012 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB. Put 265/70/17 tires and TRD 4Runner rims (17x7) on it a couple months back. I've always wanted to level out the front without touching the back. Currently, the truck sits 1.75 inches higher in the rear on the drivers side and 2 inches higher in the rear on the passenger's side.
Here are current pictures of it. You can notice the classic Taco lean.

I've always wanted to attempt to level out the front without making it higher than the rear. Just recently, I bought Bilstein 5100s (4, front and back) to level out the front. However, after looking through multiple threads, I have yet to find a clear answer for the 2012+ models on what setting to use. I know that the Bilstein 5100s at 1.75 with TSB in the rear for 2011 years and lower will level out the truck just fine. But since 2012+ models come from the factory with 4 leafs, would the Bilstein 5100s at 1.75 made the front higher?

From this question, I researched more. The only option that I've came up with is installing the Bilsteins at the .85 settings and adding to add around 3/8in-1/2in lift more for a total of 1.25-1.35 inches of lift in the front. I'm assuming this will level out the front (for the most part) without making the front higher than the rear (I'm okay with having the rear about 1/2 in higher to account for any weight in the bed of the truck). Please note that I do not want to add any blocks or AAL packs in the rear.

So sum this all up, has anyone else installed the Bilstein 5100s in the 2012+ models without touching the rear? If so, what setting? I'm wondering if the 1.75 setting would actually work or if it would make the front higher, which I do not want. I realize the .85 would allow the rear to be around an inch higher, but it would only make a minor difference to the eye. Would the Bilstein 5100s with the 1/4in spacers acheive what I'm looking for? But I've also read that spacers with Bilsteins are not ideal... maybe I'm wrong.

Any help would be appreciated.
Hayden

 

Not all 2012+ came with 4 leafs. In fact most came with 3 leafs. On my '13 I had the TSB done and got the 4 leafs which actually raised the rear almost an inch and setting the 5100's at 1.75 leveled the truck perfectly. I think I would have been nose high before the TSB.

 

5100s are a great choice. I have an access cab, so I got more than 1.75" on that setting but the ride was fantastic IMO. There's nothing wrong with running spacers with 5100s. There's arguably a benefit from doing so, but that's another thread https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-you-are-not-using-all-the-suspension.400276/. The Taco lean, on the other hand, is not a suspension issue. It's the body mount bushings - that's another thread too. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/body-mount-bushing-install-now-with-pictures.432885/

 

Grab tape measure.

Measure front center of hub to fender.

Walk to back of truck.

Measure rear center of hub to fender.

Do math to calculate current difference.

Set 5100's based on that simple math and how much rake you want or dont want.



Likely you will be at the .85 in setting as the 1.75in setting will be either dead even or slightly bro lean... and even if its dead even its gonna get bro lean as soon as you put anything in the back.

 

I have a 2012 and I went with .85 on 5100s and there was only 3/8 difference between font and back. Perfect combo as I also have only three leafs on the rear.

 

I have the 4 leaf factory pack. 1.75" on the billies would have made mine nose high. I have 1.5" icons in the rear now and have a slight rake with 1.75" up front.


This is on a hill, but you can see the rear gap is just slightly bigger than the front.

 

I appreciate all the info. My rear ranged from 1.75-2 inches higher than the front. I think I'll just use the .85 setting with the 1/4in spacer to get about 1.25 inches of lift in the front. Should leave some height in the back to account for towing or and weight. Does anyone else have experience with factory 4 leafs and the Bilsteins- either .85 or 1.75?

 

I have my 5100s at 1.75 but also have a 2in single leaf AAL in the rear on top of the factory "4 leaf" (3 main leaf +1 overload). I have about 1.5in of rake (which i like as its useful).

 

Just got the truck back from the shop. Installed Bilsteins at .85 setting with the 1/4 spacer. It sits dead level now; didn't need to install longer strut studs either- the oem ones worked just fine. Pictures to follow once there's daylight again. Appreciate all the help!

 

Here is the after photos- again, 2012 DCSB TRD Sport with factory 4 leaf pack. Installed Bilstein 5100s at the .85 setting and a 1/4in polyurethane strut top plate spacer. Before the install, rear was about 1.75-2 inches higher than the front. After, the rear is 1/4 inch higher than the front.

Before:
After:
At the shop
Close up of front bilsteins

I'll be glad to answer and questions!

 

This is perfect. I also have a 12 DCSB TRD Sport 4x and want a level. My leaf springs have a fourth shorter and thicker leaf at the bottom so I assume we're running the same gear. I also have 17x7 on 265/70/17 so again a match. Did you mean strut spacers like these? And both sides? Thanks

Then next spring I can add coils, AAL, and UCAs so this is perfect!

 

Yep! Those are the exact spacers I used. Both sides. Should level your truck out perfect

 

Thank you for posting this information! I replaced my lifted 2010 Tacoma with a 2015 that is on stock TRD offroad suspension. This truck has about 30k on the original tires. I'm looking to do wheel/tire/shock upgrade next summer. Leveling the stance of the truck is my goal. Your setup is exactly the combo I've been looking at.

 

I'm glad to help in anyway!

 

Wow! This is the thread that I have been looking for. Got a 2012 double cab 2wd. Want to add 5100's to smooth out the ride on the stock suspension and to give a bit of a lift for the 17x9 rims that I want. Will be following this thread and list what I do a well.

Aloha'