Bilstein 6112/5160 OME Dakar EL096R Install

So I just finished up the install on my truck. Everything went pretty smoothly, minus the typical hang ups. Probably the most tedious part of the whole installation was replacing the needle bearing with the ECGS bushing.
I set the 6112s on the 4th notch and only got about 2" of lift. In the rear with the dakars I got about 3.5" of lift. I also installed SPC upper control arms and my alignment numbers are close to perfect. I have a every so slight driveline vibe from 7-10 mph, with the carrier bearing drop.
The ride is very nice, but the truck did have 100k miles on the stock shocks before I did the install so I'm sure that plays into it.
Also I had a shop assemble the coilovers because the shock body was too large to allow me to use my spring compressors, cost me $60 and I didn't have to risk my life.

Lift Numbers
Driver Front - 20.5 > 22.5
Passenger Front - 20.5 > 22.5
Driver Rear - 20.75 > 24.5
Passenger Rear - 21.25 > 25

 

Looks good. What tire size you running?

 

265/75/R16

 

*Edit*
disregard, I looked up product numbers i was off by a digit

Great looking lift, exactly what I wanted. Just could not afford the remote resses this time around. Maybe in a few years

 

I was actually going back in forth between heavy duty and medium duty. The topper isn't all that heavy and I was afraid the HD would have a harsh ride. I finally decided to go with the HDs because you can always remove a leaf and make them mediums.

 

I’m about to do a similar thing with my 2016 trd off-road. I first installed the 096R Dakar leaf springs because it was very unclear how much lift I was gonna get with my rear camping setup (400 lbs).

Looking for ways to lift the front 2 inches and the 6112/5160 combo seems like a great bang for the buck. I hear I won’t really need new UCA for the 2 inches in front, but do you think so?

 

I see a lot of guys using the 5160s in the rear with Dakar leafs giving over 2.5 inches. But all the suspension companies I speak to keep telling me that because the 5160s are only rated to 1.5 inches max, that I'll have issues with premature wear and toping out the shock too often.. Decisions...

 

If it make you feel better, the OME shocks that come in the package with the Dakar leaf packs have the same compression and extension lengths as the 5160’s (14 and 24 inches respectively).

 

Thats exactly what I thought, but Bilstein tech was insistent that the internals were built differently and kept saying the shocks weren't designed for constant over extension. Was almost like the dude didnt want me to buy them

 

Haha makes sense. I mean I wouldn’t use them if you plan on using heavy Dakar’s with an empty bed and doing fast/aggressive off roading.

But if you’re going with a full bed and Overlanding well then... should be fine I guess?

 

You could always add extension straps if you’d like

 

With 3 kids I don't plan on doing anything crazy for the next few years. But I think I'll pull the trigger and go with the 6112/5160 set up. Unfortunately Headstrong Offroad is out of stock at the moment.

 

Did you have to use any spacers at the top of the coils? Not sure if the newer 2nd gens need them for lean. Thanks

 

Great looking setup. I run the exact same, except for I'm EL095R Medium Duty Dakars in the rear.

 

iKONiK, did you use any spacers on your front coils? Did you set clips at same height? About to do this same set-up but need to know. Thanks

 

I used a 1/2 top plate spacer to even out the front with the rear. The ome kit should come with a pre installed driver 1/4 spacer for the lean

 

I set both sides to #3 setting & installed a 3/8" spacer on the driver's side. Going with a #4 driver / #3 Passenger setup would've probably netted similar results.

 

I used a 1/4” spacer as well.

 

Going to get the 6112/5160 set-up from Headstrong off-road pre-assembled (bc I don't want to mess with that). Just need to know if our newer 2nd gens need a spacer for any side to side lean (it's an option from Headstrong to add a 1/4" spacer to correct for this) but I don't think i'll need it..

 

I have a 1/4" top hat spacer in mine. I would say to get it and if the numbers are off, you can always take it off after your suspension settles and you will at least have it just in case.