Bilstein 6112

Get option 1, especially if your truck is newer and your leafs are in good shape. Can always put in dakars later. 5160s are made to pair with 6112s. And the 5160s really absorb heat cycles well.

 

That would push him out of his price range though. I agree with the Dakar springs, I have them myself with the 6112/5160 package but the AAL is a great option for what he needs it for as well as having a newer truck already so his stock springs are still going to be solid.

 

True but that makes the price difference not negligible.

 

Okay, so I agree with all the above and, in an ideal world I'd get the HD dakars (remove a leaf till I need it). But, the HD dakars + shims, ubolts, etc adds $440 to the total vs the AAL w/Option 1.

$440 is typically negligible - but with other priorities continuing to put a more expensive lift off (closing on our first home + upcoming wedding) - figure if I could stay in budget I can get the parts ordered today.

I know I should just "do it right" the first time and not have to deal with taking the rear apart, swapping for dakars and selling the AAL, but I also want to start this driveway project before the PNW weather turns to shit...



Guess this is the place where impatience meets logic and practicality.

Edit: My understanding is extended brake lines aren't needed with the 24" 5160's. $60 in savings.

 

Buy Once Cry Once.

 

If you can buy both the left and right 5160s then you don’t need extended brake lines. The left rear has been out of stock often (not sure if it is still). If you can only get 2 rear rights then you need extended break lines.

 

My experience with the icon 3 leaf AAL was not good carrying 400# camping load. It sagged & bottomed out way too much...

 

Technically no. The left side comes with a block to raise the driver side rear brake line up an inch so it won't break. But, it is recommended just in case. I ran without extended rear brake lines for a year. After some wheeling and some rear maintenance, I noticed that at full droop they were really tight and I have the medium dakars. I put in +4 inch brake lines (quite easy) and never looked back.

 

Did you end up switching to dakars or similar?

Gotcha, I should plan on it then at some point sooner than later.

 

Having to deal with this situation and having to redo my suspension multiple times. Skip 5160, go 5100s and have money towards a full leaf pack if you wanted to go that route. 5160s did not ride well for what I wanted to do with my truck for camping and rougher terrain. It just couldn’t dampen the rear when loaded IMO. AAL make sure you leave the overod leaf in, but even still, I still felt that combo just did not work well for what I wanted to do. 6112 is a great system even though I moved to the 8112s

Good luck. You’ll find out what you’d like once you start to drive it. I tried to cheap out on the build and instead I had to overhaul it and spend more money. Increase your budget if you don’t wanna come back and dump more money into the truck.

 

I’m running RXT leaf packs at option 2 with timbren bump stops & u bolt flip kit.
Very happy with the ride during a recent 3 day trip over moderately rocky trails while fully loaded at about 500#...

 

Dakar EL095R Medium Duty.

 

I agree here.

With no load, empty bed, the 5160's + 3 Leaf AAL combo rode absolutely fantastic. Wonderful, soft, cushy ride. Literally could not recommend any higher, it was great.

With a RTT + ~200-300 lbs worth of camping gear, I was nose high and riding the bump stops. Lost a lot of up-travel.

If you're not planning on wheeling or constantly carrying a heavy load, go with the 3 leaf AAL, they ride amazing. If you're going to be carrying weight or running a full time RTT, go with the Dakar leaf pack and save yourself the time, money, and trouble.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone.. Gonna save up for new leaf packs and do it all at once.

 

Buy once cry once.
It’s the best advice.

 

just wondering, if i install my 6112/5160 kit with progressive aal kit, set at 5/6 notch, do i need to install the ECGS bushing too? what happens if i don't? on a 2019 double cab 4x4 TRD OR

 

You don’t need to but if your trucks starts to vibrate while driving, you can either live with it and cause further damage down the road or fix it now or later.

 

So it’s bound to happen?

 

It’s a flawed design from Toyota and they know it is. There’s a TSB to fix it if it happens but dealership will vary if they want to help you under warranty.

I can’t say yea it’s 100% it’ll happen. Some people who are at 50k+ miles and nothing happens while others it happens the moment they lift. So it’s up to you what you wanna do, just be ready to deal with it. I did mine before I lifted my truck so I didn’t have to deal with it down the road.

 

Thanks... so what does the vibe feel like and how bad does it feel? Lol so I know when I’m going to have to get it fixed?