Slight squat after lifting

In October, I lifted my 3rd Gen '19 OF, ~2" in the front, 1.5" in the back. Upgrade components:

Front:
- Bilstein 5100 on the 2nd to bottom clip (2" lift.)
- OME 2885
- East Coast Gear Supply clamshell bushing on driver's side
Rear:
- ICON 2" Rear AAL

My issue is there's a slight "squat" stance to the truck now, due to my ARE Shell, and a bed box installed. How can I go about remedying this? I can't stand the look of a squatted truck, to each their own, but it's not for me. I've also purchased 2x Fox 2.0 rear shocks, but I haven't installed them yet. They arrived after the shop was able to do the lift. I'm probably going to try to install them myself when I have a spare minute or two this weekend.

I uploaded two pictures for ref, but they don't really show what I mean. could be the angle I took the photo, but it's quite evident the rear is about 2" lower than level when truck is on level pavement.

 

Pretty sure if you're using OME coils the 5100s should be set on the bottom setting. The circlip should only be raised if you're using the 5100s with stock tacoma coils.

The rear shocks wont help your issue. The leaf springs support the weight and determine the height of the rear, not the shocks.

You should probably lower the circlip on the 5100s to the bottom setting, and get an add a leaf for the rear

 

I need ANOTHER AAL?

 

Ome coils on 5100's need to be at the bottom setting.

As for the rear, you have a topper. A single AAL is not enough. You need to switch to a progressive AAL pack to add to your stock leaf packs or, a better option long term, is to replace the leaf with something aftermarket.

 

What's the replacement option? This world of suspension is greek to me.

Thanks for the assistance.

 

As someone that has had everything under the sun; from single AAL, to salads and currently deaver springs, deaver springs are the best thing you can do.

Dakars have their place but they squeak and don't hold the weight I have.

I went with deaver U402 stage III

 

Yep, put another leaf in there or get a new pack

 

Correct. Im sure ill get shit for this but its fact. Aal is for lift, not increased load capacity. A new custom leaf pack is the only real way to gain the ability to carry more weight. But another stiffer leaf put in there should even you out, for a time, till it settles too.

I went custom from Alcan. Made exactly to my specs with some help from their staff.

 

Ok, guess that's what I need to do. Is it possible to add a leaf to an add a leaf?

 

Yup.

Google your area for a spring shop. I was surprised i had one near me. They do truck springs all day long and could do it for you.

 

Doubtful, I live in the middle of nowhere. It's why I had to take it to a shop that mostly does tires.

 

that looks good, what did you go with in the front?

 

Kings with 650 lb coils

 

My guess is that you need to lower the front. Aftermarket springs are generally longer than stock and I believe Bilstein recommends the lowest preload setting when using them.

Measure the center of your hub to the edge of your fender flare with the truck at ride height and at full droop and report back.

 

Wilco, that seems to be the consensus. Just not looking forward to doing the resetting myself. I've dropped enough on this truck this year, need to slow down on mods!

I'll get those measurements, I have it parked in the level parking lot at my work today. Should be a good gauge of what's going on. Thanks!

 

Front: 23" center of hub to bottom of flare; Rear: 22" center of hub to bottom of flare.

 

23” is a 2” lift in the front and 22” is zero lift in the back. I think you have room to lift the rear more. It would be good to know your droop numbers as well though. Also you should measure both sides. The passenger side is generally 0.5-1” higher.

FYI: My front is 23/23.5 and my rear is 23.5/24. I have a factory like rake. The only weight I’ve added is 150lb sliders and 30lb TRD skid. I have OME Dakar medium leafs.

 

Bringing this back up, called the shop that did the work originally, and they quote me $550 to lower the clip.. I have a floor jack and some basic tools, realistically, how difficult is this to do by myself? I don't have a spring compressor though, that seems like the biggest hurdle to me.

 

$550 to pull two front coil overs and just change the mounting?! Crazy high price, start looking for a new shop. For that price you could take them off, fly them to me on an airplane, fly back, and have money left for a nice steak dinner.

Be careful trying to remove springs without a spring compressor and the experience to know what you are doing. It can be hazardous to your health or fatal. Not exaggerating on this. If you do go the DIY route make sure you FULLY understand what you are doing.

 

I really appreciate this. On the price, yeah, I'm with you there. But they're a tire and alignment shop, not an OR shop. There aren't too many in my area that I would trust, tbh. Plus, I've dropped too much damn money into this truck in the last 18 months.

And I absolutely hear you on the springs. It's honestly the only part about this that worries me. I bought two of these from Amazon:

Orion Motor Tech MOTOR TECH MacPherson Strut Spring Compressor Tool Kit with 10.6"es Range, Dual Heavy-Duty Coil Spring Compressor Tools with Locking Pins, Auto Tool Set for Suspension Work, 1-2"es Drive, 13-16"es Hex, Silver

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FZTQ62W?ie=UTF8

I figured if I did 3 or even all 4 of these on one spring at a time, it would help my ability to compress the coils. If I just don't feel right about it, I might back out and find a shop somewhere further away I'd feel better about.

Finally, I still have my OEM leafs, is it possible to add 1-2 BACK onto my new AAL kit to bring the rear up a tad? Between the camper shell and my bed box, I feel like it's going to sag a hair no matter what I do.