Bought My Bilstein's. Need Some Advice Before I Screw This Up!

You're welcome! Since you're towing I would recommend a single AAL in the rear then. It makes for a little rougher ride in the rear with no weight, but will increase your carrying capacity a little bit!

 

Sounds like blocks would be good if kept on the shorter side like you did, I want just a bit of room for tires and for a bit more height to match my trailer, too. There's a good point though made by EatSleepTacos regarding axle wrap- since I'm towing I will investigate the pros and cons a bit more.

Did you boyher with the front differential? I keep hearing that's a good thing to drop a bit, but at which point?

Thanks for your 2-cents!

 

If you are towing EatSleepTacos makes a good point in AAL. I did install the Diff Drop to minimize any problems if any but I had none. There are those who don't because they prefer the extra 1" in height without it. If your adding larger tires the Diff drop becomes mute because you will gain that back with the added height of your tires. $.02

 

5100s all around. 885 up front. Level ? Maybe a smidge nose high.

 

Its been a crazy week. @EatSleepTacos thanks so much for the extremely valuable advice. I sincerely appreciate it.

 

@swimmer Thanks for the correction. Probably one too many bourbons when i made the post!

 

Last thing. If i add a leaf in the rear and only want about 1.5 in the front what setting should i use on the front shock?

BTW. sounds like adding a leaf in the rear makes sense. Im not a fan of the truck having front rake. I want to keep if fairly level.

 

@Jtrevizo16 You truck looks great! Standing tall. Looks fairly level to me. What is the setting on your front shock?

 

If you use the ome coils those will provide the lift for you. Keep the billies on 0 to avoid preloading the coils. Will be a better ride. If you want more lift or plan on running heavy armor, ome makes heavier rated coils

 

Got it. Thanks. I should use the OME 887's?

 

From a driving quality perspective, what would be the difference between the 5100s and the OME shocks? Assume the same 885 coils and AAL. Which would offer the softer/smoother ride?

 

Looks level to me

 

You can go up to 887 which might push you into needing new UCAs to get a decent alignment or stick with 885 and live with a small amount of rake. If you tow that much your now level truck will eventually develope a nose up lean.

Here's my truck with 885 and 3 leaf AAL with overload left in, I still have the stock rake but goes level when loaded.

 

X2 for the 885 set at 0 and AAL, the extra leaf will also assist in not getting so much sag in the rear since it will be a little more stout when towing, I loved the ride when I had 885 and AAL

 

@jmar180 thats a great questions. That setup is highly commended as well. I am not sure why I am so stuck on the 5100's but i hear that the AAL, and the OME shocks and springs are a good fit. Any feedback from the crew on that?

@EatSleepTacos
@TacoCat
@jsinnard

Should I go with the OME 885's with AAL for my set up. I do not want to change the UCA's and I don't want to be nose high. Are the 885's too soft? I don't have a bumper or winch.

Lastly, what i hear is no need for a diff drop with my set up? I don't have wheels or tires yet.........

 

Here's why I went the way I did, very please with the results and ride.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dclb-with-885-springs-5100s-at-0-and-3-leaf-aal.502144/

Skip the diff drop but do the ECGS bushing replacement like I did for a preventive measure. Truck will be apart for the lift install so it's a good time to do it and be done with it.

 

OME shocks are designed to work specifically with the OME springs plus you get a little more shock travel. Price is a little more than the 5100s too. Ride is probably very similar. I have 5100s on my 1st gen and liked them quite a bit, decided to stay with them on my 3rd gen.

Ride is probably a wash as what you like may not be what I like.

 

0 with 885 emu coils.

 

Appreciate the thoughts. Ended up purchasing the 5100s with 885s and the 3 leaf AAL from Headstrong. Anything is gonna be better than the stock hitachi shocks that are on there now. Looking forward to them arriving.

 

That's a tough call, because not many people have run both set ups. It's usually one or another.

I say go with 885 and an AAL in the rear. Your truck will look the same rake wise, but just be 1.5-2" taller on both ends. No to the diff drop, or yes. It doesn't really matter. It doesn't hurt anything, but also barely helps.