Bilstein 6112

I agree. Too much lift sucks.

I care about performance, hence why I'm lowering it.

I had a lowered Integra, with a racing suspension in my youth, it cornered like it rode rails. Amazing.

But yeah, I know the type you speak of and the ride is awful on a slammed vehicle.

 

Yea for sure with the cars if its done with a good kit / coilovers it will rock on the track. Again they don't usually go too low maybe 1-1.5".

 

Back on track I feel the 4th setting would work once it settles in. I think if I want to go up a bit I may just put a 1/2 spacer in dr side and move the 1/4 to the passenger to gain the 1/2" lift back and then the ride should stay the same, but my stock UCA might not like that so it would have to go next. Then put the overload spring back in the rear. Did you mention that stiffened up the ride out back when you did that?

 

DAMN YOU GUYS!!!! This is making my decision more difficult....first world problems I tell ya!

 

see my post above you

 

I did, thanks. The only spacer I will have (1/4 or 3/8) will be on the drivers side to help with taco lean. How have the CV axle angles been on the 3rd and 4th setting?

 

Cv's okay untill you get around 3"

 

Good to note.

Settlement is always a wild card, I know it's going to happen after I beat on it. How much and how soon, is the question.

On the Dakars, I've not had time to play in the rocks alone to flex out and compress. Only the one trip to Death Valley. So that said, yes, the pack feels stiffer with the stock overload back in.

I'm hoping against hope to do some in depth testing this weekend.

 

Okay cool. We got a Trailmanor trailer now which has a lot more tongue weight than our pop up did so that is needed now. It seems like when unloaded it wouldn't make much difference? I hope it 's not much difference cause I like it now. Did you say your 6112's are used? may have already settled?

 

Another important consideration is added weight! Obviously in the front directly affects it, but also weight in the back end has the opposite effect depending on how it sits back there. I have about 250lbs due to the HC bumper, Tonneau and stuff so that lightens the front. Why I show a little more lift in front than most at 3rd setting and Nick you probably have much more at least on the trail. Adj. accordingly
Must step away now

 

What is it that you're going for?

• If you're keeping the rear suspension stock, and just want to level the front, #3 will get it.
• If you're also raising the back but want to stay mostly level, run #4.
• If you're also raising the back and want to keep factory rake, #3.

 

Will have dakars in the back- have a cap right now but will eventually be running a steel rear bumper with tire/fuel swingout and bed rack with RTT (+ all camping gear). Looking to keep factory rake with bed rack and bumper w/swing out. RTT and gear will load it down so I'm expecting level or slight bro lean. I may have to AAL to the Dakars if it's too low...

 

Okay. Back to report some. Hub to fender measurements in decimal format

****PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE MEASUREMENTS WERE DONE ON A SLOPED DRIVEWAY****

Truck with circlip at 4th notch

• DS: 22.75"
• PS: 24.25"
• Taco lean: 1.5"

I adjusted the circlip to 3rd Notch on driver side

• DS: 22.125

I adjusted the circlip to 2nd Notch on passenger side

• PS: 23.125
• Taco lean: 1.0"

So lowering one notch on driver yielded a difference of 0.625"
Lowering the circlip on the passenger side two notches yielded a difference of 1.125"

One thing to note with all of this is I noticed is that when I separate the spring from the top hat rubber isolator if the spring doesn't go back exactly the way it was it will in effect be more cushion than it was before, this will probably add some small margin to the height of the lift.

I also searched back in the Forum and found a measurement that I took a long time ago with my 5100 and 885 Springs.

Comparing my new numbers to the numbers below I am pleased and this matches almost what I had before with some settling it should be good. I was able to measure rake before, and I will measure rake tomorrow and I can report on that as well.

Also noteworthy is I was greatly aided by my LCA polyurethane bushings I never had to loosen the cams I can move the Arms by hand once I separated the steering stop from the spindle. it only took me 30 minutes each side to make the adjustments.

Edit: I measured again on a flat surface.

Hub to fender on driver side 21.75 inches (circlip 3rd notch) passenger side 22.375" (circlip 2nd notch) Taco lean: 0.625"

 

I remeasured today on a flat surface.

• Hub to fender on driver side 21.75 inches (circlip 3rd notch)
• passenger side 22.375" (circlip 2nd notch)
• Taco lean: 0.625"

One inch rake, slightly more than stock, I like it a lot!



Alignment was good, but not optimal, tech didn't care.

 

Looking good! I'm sure you'll like the 6112's. I worried so much about ride comfort when upgrading to them, but I couldn't be more pleased. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on how the ride (on road and off road) compares to your previous setup.

 

Thanks. When the 6112's went in I also replaced my LCA's with a fresh set, but they have performance polyurethane instead of factory rubber bushings. After two miles of driving I thought I made a mistake! Haha. Turns out after 200 miles everything is working great.

In a nutshell, the 6112 provide more dampening ability so the truck bounces less when the wheel travels to accommodate an obstacle. I think the coil spring is well matched for stock second gen. It compressed well under forced articulation like it should for a Tacoma. My truck has some extra weight, but the weight is centred with cab, or is over rear axle. Nothing heavy in the front end on my truck.

Overall I'm quite pleased.

Next tests will be, varried terrain in desert.

Video of me in the truck playing around on rocky outcrop.

4Lo with diff locked

 

I've looked quite a bit but haven't seen much...

Which is the better option, Icon stage 1 or 6112's in the front with 5160's in the rear? They're in the same neighborhood price wise.

I'm leaning toward the Bilstein's but I keep reading about how great the ride is on the Icon's. Haven't seen much on comments regarding how the Bilsteins ride but all the Bilsteins i've had have been stiff and my TRD OR stock shocks are terrible. I'd prefer a softer ride than a stiffer ride, leaving rake so only going 1.5"-2" of lift in the front.

How should I spend my money?

 

If you're going with the Bilstein 5160's in the rear, I believe the 6112's were designed to pair up with those. If I'm not mistaken, the TRD Team basically had the 6112's and 5160's for the TX Baja Edition Tacoma's and work very well.

 

The 5160's may not be best if you plan on more of a lift. From what I have read, the 5125's or B110 5100's are better for higher/more travel.

 

I'd be going for 1.6" of lift in the front and I already have TSB leaf packs in the rear, that would be it for lift.

Looks like it's the third notch on the 6112's that would achieve somewhere around 1.5-2".

If Icon's infact ride alot better (softer) i'd go that route, don't have much need for a coilover though. Definitely seems like your getting much more for the money with the Bilsteins.