Realistic bilstein lift install time

UCAs are easy. Hardest part is bending the metal back but with the proper tool it's a walk in the park. For the ECGS bushing I can understand being intimidated, though it's not too horrible.

 

True, the part I need to read more if on the settings on the spc's. I might try both next week if I can get a tool for the ECGS bushing.

 

That's easy too, in the instructions they have the recommended middle setting which is good for 95% of people. Good luck!

 

Sounds good. I will try it this weekend.

 

I recommend buying 2 new UCA bolts and cutting the old ones out. For ~$20 a piece it will save you time and hassle bending fenders out of the way.

 

Some follow up that I learned,

For the front, disconnect the sway bar on both end links before you start. Buy yourself the room.

Youll want four 3-4” clamps for the AAL. I had 2.

Don't forget to make sure your grease can is full before you rely on your memory. Also latex gloves are nice.

For the AAL, you really want the rear of the truck higher than you think youll need it. Id suggest having your tires dropping at least 4-6” off the ground. You can do it with 2” like I did but its harder.

Time?
Passenger side front - 45 minutes.
Driver side front - had I not hit complications with the egcs bushing, 90 minutes. The half shaft is very annoying to remove.
Rear- having four clamps I could have probably done each side in an hour.

Including jacking up and all that...

5-6 hours for your first time. Having done it now, Id maybe get into the 4-5 hour mark

 

Please don't do the add a leaf. I did that when I installed 6112/5160s and I regretted it enough to pay $600 for a set of OME 95R leafs. My truck rides so much better now. The AAL are a bandaid that makes your truck look the part but makes it ride like crap.

Took me 8 hours solo to do 6112/5160, leaf springs, Bushings for shackles (don't attempt until you research what you're in for...), ECGS bushing.

Driveway, HF 3 ton daytona jack, 2-6 ton and 2-3 ton jack stands, impact sockets, cordless impact, ice cold beverages (non alcoholic while working...)

 

Which aal did you do?

 

When I did all mine, I did the rear leafs one day and the front coils, shocks, bushing another day. Plus, it was late last summer and my garage was about 110F

 

Mine rides great with my 5160s and AALs so don't go spewing BS on this forum. If yours rode like crap then you chose the wrong AAL.

 

This is in line with my thinking. And why I wanted a 3 leaf aal that doesnt engage until loaded.

With that said, if his oem springs were inverted sagging - yea, maybe

 

Yep, mine are Wheeler's multi leaf AALs. My friend has the same combo on his 2nd Gen and highly recommended them.

Not all AALs are the same yet folks give out bad advice based on limited experience.

 

Not gonna lie, I nailed my original quote.

 

Yea, you sure did.

 

Took me 5 hours

6112s pre assembled to 5/6. No ECGS replacement or vibration. (5,000km since install) rear ICON 3leaf AAL. Overload removed.

Truck is night and day ride better on and Offroad. Run overload out unless you tow a lot. Then I would run overload out and invest in some bags.

 

Learning curve w anything first time. I’d say give yourself 8-10 hiurs

 

No ecgs, yea I could see that. Thats the longest part. I dont tow a lot, but I am running overload leaf in because I use the bed a good bit and I want to keep factory rake

 

So much helpful information on this site.

 

Ok. My 5160s and AAL rode like a brick. It was the icon 3 leaf. I took out the overload leaf and it still rode like a brick.

I bought OME leafs and it rides great.

Not bs.

 

$220 ICON 1.5" Lift Add-A-Leaf Kit, Compatible with 1996-Up Toyota Tacoma/00-06 Tundra, 51100

Icon 3 leaf.