shocks with a lift

Installing BFG 275/70 R17 on my 2022 Taco. From what i have read, that is the largest size tire that will fit without a lift. However, I did want to lift the front 2 inches and the rear 1 inch.
My question is which shock absorbers would you recommend for this application? I found some Bilstein 5100's on Amazon but they state its for a 0-1 inch lift.

 

5100s are adjustable. They can be assembled with 0 lift, up to about 2.75 inches of lift.

 

Thanks Ryan. I looked on Amazon for 2" Bilstein shocks and found them for the 2nd gen but not the third. Since the 0-1inch shocks are adjustable, I'll give them a whirl

 

Make sure you know what you're getting. they often come disassembled requiring you to disassemble the ones on your truck and re-use parts. Others come assembled, but you need a spring compressor to adjust them. Depending on your skill level and tools, you might want to buy them assembled from a shop set at the lift you like. That's how I did my Bilstein 6112s. Might find better deals than on Amazon, as well.

 

I think you can ignore the 0-1” crap in the typical Bilstein 5100 advertising. I’ve never understood why that’s in there.

What you need to understand is:

1) The front Bilstein 5100s have adjustable preload which allows you do adjust your ride height. The actual amount of lift is dependent on the weight of your truck.

2) Rear shocks of any type to do not provide any lift.

 

Having been an aircraft mechanic, i could do the install myself. Watched the videos for installation and basically i would need to disassemble the entire front suspension in order to install the lift spacers. Might have to think about whether to do it myself or having it done. I would need to buy a floor jack, spring compressor and who knows what else. not to mention all the things that MURPHY's Law could do to make it even more difficult

 

There is no need of top hat spacers if you are going with 5100s. They have adjustable preload to adjust ride height.

 

TY gudujarlson, I was planning on just using the MZS 1 inch spacer block with U-Bolts for the rear. You mentioned that the front shocks are adjustable to the lift that you want. Does that mean I dont need to install the Rough Country 2 inch leveling kit?
I'm not quite clear on the shock height adjustment.

 

There is little to no reason to combine a top hat spacer with the Bilstein 5100 front shocks.

 

Image below from the linked thread. The instructions show how you put the ring clip on different heights for different lift height. This compresses the spring, lifting your ride.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bilstein-5100-settings-for-dummies.638394/#post-22011687

 

Avoid the block leveling kits. A 1 inch spacer in the rear isn't a huge deal but in front ideally all of the lift will come from the shocks and springs so you gain travel and maintain strength. Keep in mind most lifts are keeping the same general travel range just making the truck sit at a different spot in it so if you go too high the ride becomes rough from limited up travel.

Also most lifts don't really add room for larger tires if you want to maintain full travel range as the furthest compressed point is the same. If you don't care about off roading or ride quality you can create more room for tires by lengthening your bump stops but I am personally not a fan of giving up function just to look silly.

 

If you are thinking about larger tires you need wheels with a proper offset, zero offset seems to work well for a lot of people running 285s but you also need to do some work to increase clearance in the wheel well.

 

so if i understand you correctly, I just need to install/adjust the ride height? does that apply as well to the rears?

 

The rear is not adjustable with the shocks like the front coilovers are. For the rear, you'd need a lift block to add lift. However, most people prefer "leveling" the truck, where they only add 1.5-2 inches to the front, with no lift in the rear. A small 1 inch block though might be what you prefer. Relatively easy install, and wouldn't adversely affect ride.

 

Rear shocks cannot provide lift because the rear suspension uses leaf springs rather than coil-overs like the front. Lifting the rear requires blocks or leaf spring modifications.

 

The proper way in the rear is new leaf springs. You can also do an add a leaf. Blocks work but negatively effect several things so I would say a 1in block is max.

The amount of lift required in the front to level your truck dependa on how you use it and the specifics of your truck. I suggest measuring from the center of your wheel to your fender on all 4 wheels both empty and with your typical load. Most leveling kits and advice assume an empty bed. If you level empty your rear will squat when loaded. Some people like that look though. With my normal camping load I only need to lift the front 1/2in to be level. If you start adding camper shells, racks, etc you may find the rake is completely gone or negative before even lifting.

 

Some auto parts stores well "rent" tools, like spring compressors. If you have a bottle jack, that will work just fine, rather then purchasing a floor jack.
Use extreme caution when compressing the coils!

Cheers

 

I currently run 265/70 R17's zero offset. Several threads state that the 275/70 R17 will fit without a lift. Some trimming of the inside wheel well skirt may be required. Wont know till there on. Having them installed tomorrow. Ill take my oscillating saw with me in case i need to trim

 

Since it's a bfg you'll be fine a 275/70 k02 was virtually the same size as a 265/70 duratrac when i checked everything side by side before I bought my first set of tires for this truck.