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Not quite what I want

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Executive, Apr 1, 2014.

  1. Apr 1, 2014 at 5:37 PM
    #1
    Executive

    #1
    Executive [OP] Conservative

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    I finally installed the Bilstein 5100s front and rear on my 2012 DCLB Sport yesterday. (Actually the excellent Automotive Instructor at the Vocational School where I teach Electrical Shop did the install as a demonstration for his freshman class. Thank you, Tom!) I set the spring seat on the third notch from the bottom which is supposed to give 1.75" of lift. It does. Maybe a little more. Anyway, the front is now actually sitting about .25" higher than the rear, measured from the hub to the wheel well. I love the way the front sits and the ride is fantastic. The truck looks funny now, though. It looks like I have weight in the back. (I do not.) I want to lift the rear about 1" to remove the loaded down look. I do not want to return to the "factory rake". I am considering a 1" block type kit (probably in steel, not aluminum). Is this a bad idea? Would I be better off with a 1.5" AAL? Any good advice would be appreciated. Thanks Tacoma World.

    Chris
     
    Executive, Apr 1, 2014
    #1
  2. Apr 1, 2014 at 5:40 PM
    #2
    SoCalTacos

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    SoCalTacos Turd runner

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    Led head/dtr lights.
    Aal. ..no blocks.
     
    SoCalTacos, Apr 1, 2014
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  3. Apr 1, 2014 at 8:31 PM
    #3
    4WD

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    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now
    AAL & call it good
     
    4WD, Apr 1, 2014
    #3
  4. Apr 1, 2014 at 8:43 PM
    #4
    Mainmoe02

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    Mainmoe02 Well-Known Member

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    Moe
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    3" lift EIBACH coils w/ 5100's front, OME/ Dakar leaf springs w/ toytec adjustable shackles at 1.5" and 5125's out back. 33x10.5x15 KM2's Relentless DIY steel bumper.
    Another vote for AAL!

    Although 1" block isn't that bad but if your able to get an AAL in there then that's a better route.

    By the way your "loaded down" look is referred to as "bro lean" by most here on TW. I'm not a fan of the bro lean either.
     
    Mainmoe02, Apr 1, 2014
    #4
  5. May 20, 2014 at 12:09 PM
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    jstcantduXty5

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    jstcantduXty5 Active Member

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    Leer cap.
    Not to hijack thread but I read that a lot of AALs can lose their lift after a year or 10k miles or so. True or False. Are some brands of AAL's more durable than others?
     
    jstcantduXty5, May 20, 2014
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  6. May 20, 2014 at 12:54 PM
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    YotaDan

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    YotaDan Dan

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    All springs do sag over time. Sag after the aal has been installed, can be from the aal, or can just be from the factory springs. If the factory springs are already in bad shape, and an aal is installed, then it is just a band-aid for a while.
     
    YotaDan, May 20, 2014
    #6
  7. May 20, 2014 at 12:57 PM
    #7
    geekhouse23

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    geekhouse23 The "Liftman" - @DrFunker

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    I installed an AAL on my 2013 with under 5k miles and after ~3,xxx miles I got the infamous bro lean. Running Dakars with
    $82 d29xl leaf spring
    d29xl now :D
     
    geekhouse23, May 20, 2014
    #7
  8. May 20, 2014 at 1:03 PM
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    DriverSound

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    DriverSound Señor Member

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    I've had an AAL for about 3 years now and about 25K miles with little to no change. AAL will give a stiffer ride but a better choice would be complete leaf pack replacement for those who tows and carry heavy loads in the bed. Another alternative to just single AAL are progressive AAL to maintain comfort and driveability. 1" blocks are fine as well if you don't tow or carry loads and to retain factory ride but I wouldn't go any higher than 1".
     
    DriverSound, May 20, 2014
    #8
  9. May 24, 2014 at 6:29 AM
    #9
    jstcantduXty5

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    jstcantduXty5 Active Member

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    Leer cap.
    Is that true?

    Am new here but have sorta been gathering that the "bro lean" thing is jargon for the side-to-side driver-side sag.

    If a sticky (compilation) exists for all these terms and acronyms I have not seen it yet, sorry.
     
    jstcantduXty5, May 24, 2014
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  10. May 24, 2014 at 6:44 AM
    #10
    anders99

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    anders99 The Sailing Member

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    Taco SOS Offroad Concepts hybrid front bumper Iggy Corp. Switch panel Famous Fab ditch lights and cb antenna mount Pioneer Appradio 2 Halo Led Headlights Led Taillights 3'' toytech spacer lift on front end Toytec AAL on rear AFE cold air intake 4Runner Stock
    No the bro lean is back lower than front

    Taco lean is the driver side lower than passenger
     
    anders99, May 24, 2014
    #10
  11. May 24, 2014 at 7:51 AM
    #11
    jstcantduXty5

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    jstcantduXty5 Active Member

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    Thanks very much.

    Next week new 255/75/17's (32.05") go on.

    Gonna be close but should be onroad worthy 'til final 2"/+/- suspension items are chosen.

    Am now about "bro lean" level now with a Leer cap over the stock pre-TSB springs. Called dealer yesterday - am 3 months beyond 2011 warranty - drat.

    That Info, strongly appreciated - now less confused (terminolgy challenged). Now feel informed enough to start my own first thread on fine tuning the lift purchase choices - to include a solution for the "Taco Lean" - I guess with 1/2" blocks/spacers on driver side struts n springs.

    Still have several more product questions but that helps a lot.
     
    jstcantduXty5, May 24, 2014
    #11
  12. May 24, 2014 at 7:55 AM
    #12
    jstcantduXty5

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    jstcantduXty5 Active Member

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    Leer cap.
    Did you have the TSB done before your AAL?
     
    jstcantduXty5, May 24, 2014
    #12
  13. May 27, 2014 at 5:19 PM
    #13
    DriverSound

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    DriverSound Señor Member

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    Yes. I have the TSB springs and an AAL.
     
    DriverSound, May 27, 2014
    #13
  14. May 27, 2014 at 6:09 PM
    #14
    4WD

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    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Regardless of what you've already heard , sounds like for your needs a 1" cast iron/steel block would be fine, you may or maynot need longer U bolts... assuming no off roading or hauling of anything substantial..
     
    4WD, May 27, 2014
    #14

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