Bilstein shocks plus on top leveling kit?

So I'm planning on lifting another truck. On the rear I'll be using a simple add-a-leaf. For the front I was thinking about getting the adjustable Bilstein shocks and placing them on the first setting and adding the 3 inch leveling kit that goes on top of the assembly.

The only reason I'm setting to the 1st level is to account for the old springs and sag as the truck has 170k on the clock, and I want the full 3 inches from the leveling kit.

Before it starts I do know that Bilstein's website states "Not recommended for use with any other front lift products", but would also like to point out Toyota says not to put any of the fun shit on our trucks to begin with.

With that said my main question is has anyone tried this?
Did it work?
How was the ride? (I'm assuming a little rough and if all your doing is assuming please don't provide the same input.)

If anyone has other suggestions that are leaning on the cheap side I'm all ears. My main goal is 3 up front with a decent ride for mall crawling. (I picked the bilsteins b/c I love them, and set on them, not wanting to put coilovers on this truck)

Thanks in advance.

 

get 5100s set at "0" and buy eibach coils... no preload, no spacers, done

may need drivers side 1/4" lean spacer Im not sure about u 1st genners

 

I have a set of eibach coils about 15k miles. $90 plus shipping and they are yours.

 

x2 on the Eibach coils, I'm running them with the 5100's set at zero and I'm clearing a set of 34x10.50 LTB's.

 

Yep. Let the coils provide the lift without preloading them.

 

Thanks for all the input fellas. I'll start looking into this option further.

 

Thanks for the offer, but I'll be holding off a little longer. Wife is kinda giving into another route.

 

Eibachs will be ok, not "decent". You're not gonna have ANY down travel. Literally. Speed bumps are gonna be killer. Or potholes. Any kind of drop. 3" is maxed out. You might be a TAD better off being 4x4. But eibachs are made for a CRAP ton of weight up front. I just installed them, and the suspension didn't budge letting it off the jack. Ha. Been driving it a few days and I'm liking it less and less with each day. I'm also getting a plate bumper bumper soon, but from what I'm told, even that's not gonna help it. I will be swapping out the coils before too long. But am gonna wait till I get my bumper on, just to see for myself how it holds up.

But if you NEED the 3", then that's really your best option for a budget lift. It rides ok on the street and easy trails. But it's gonna be rough. It SLAMS when going over speed bumps. Gotta mall crawl those. Ha. I think it's rougher than my old 2" spacer lift. Granted all my old shocks were shot, but still. At least I had a little down travel before. Lol.

 

Weaksauce.... i never heard this before. Thanks for chiming in

I know u guys are lighter than 2nd gens, but thats pretty crazy. what struts did u use with the eibachs?

And they are on the bottom settings if 5100s?

 

Yep 5100s and 0 setting.

 

Boomer

 

OME 881 or 882 Coils and 5100's should be a better ride then the Eibach springs which are rated at 650lbs

 

Pretty sure eibach is 620

 

Yep 620lb coils

 

I agree the Eibach 620lb coil is not the best riding option but it is better than the coil spacer! Much better! If you get the light racing UCA, I felt as though my handling was better on the trail with bump steer

 

i just find the harder i push, the smoother it is within reason.. digressive 5100s

 

I actually kinda tested that out last night down my road. Ha. Went fast thru the rough areas and rode smoother than going slow.

 

They will feel a little better over time as they break in. I have your same set-up. I am a 4x4 with bumper though.

 

Yup, i had to have someone drive me to a doc appt after a surgery, she drove the truck and was gunna slow to like 10 for a speedhump (those wide lower ones) and i said "no hit it at 25" and she was skeered so hit it slow, thos hurt the knee that i had operated on due to the harshness...

I told her again "take the next one at 25"... she did and well, much smoother.

Course i have a progressive aal so the rear was smooth also, ymmv based on rear suspension.

Just remember the 5100s are digressive per the rep i spoke with at billie, and same speakin with downsouth as well as toytec and experience with them agrees.

Just gotta find the sweet spot for the trucks weight, and the suspension... when u get the hang of it and ur truck isn't too light, its night and day

 

Ha I'm scared to take speed bumps any faster. I tried at Probly 20 too and it still slammed! Idk. Ima hold out tho until my relentless bumper comes in and see how it is. Hopefully it will be just enough. Plan to get a winch too, and a second battery. So maybe I'll end up being ok down the road with that. I'd hate to swap coils, then have to switch back after all that yet again. I'll just live with it till it happens. I think she'll be ok. Not the best. But enough for my needs. Plus I'm digging the extra height. Before I had 2". Now I'm at 3" up front and 3.5" out back with dakars. So pretty level. Just gotta wedge my butt cheek a little higher getting in now. Lol. Hoping it all settles nice and stays level in the end tho.