Starting with 5100's - where to go from here?

Here's the situation. I have a 2014 TRD OR DCSB. Daily driver and I enjoy dirt forest roads and some off-road exploring. Not a rock crawler. I'd like a suspension lift for clearance and to make those back roads more comfortable. I'd like somewhere between 2.5-3" of lift and leveled out. No heavy front or rear bumpers in the plans. Trying to stay under $1500 if possible.

The bed of my truck has a Leer cap, 200lb of sand (hey, someone said it's a good idea for the Winter), my sleeping platform, camping gear, and tools. I'm estimating about 500lb in the bed of my truck right now.

A friend gave me a set of rear Bilstein 5100's to start with. So I'm going to start my suspension lift from those. Now how do I build out the rest of my lift?

Here's my thoughts as of now. I've done some price shopping and offer links to Wheeler's Off-Road (cc: @YotaDan)

FRONT:

• $175.00
  
• $215.00
  
• - $134.00
  
• JBA STD High Caster Upper A-arms - $449.95

REAR:

• - $412.30
  
• - $29.95
  
• - $12.35
  
• - $15.69
  
• - $60.00

This comes to $1504.24.

Are my choices legit? Compatible? Capable? Does anyone have any other recommendations for any of my choices?

 

That would be a great setup. Although with the weight you have in the rear it would probably be a good idea to add in the extra leaf for the Dakars.

 

I'd agree with Dan.. the AAL is cheap ($50 or so) and you'll likely see a benefit from that setup.

 

@YotaDan There you go busting my budget already! lol

 

You could save $134 buy not having them assembled.

Even with the AAL, you'd be saving $80.

 

True, but they have to get assembled somewhere. Whether I find a place around here (which takes time and driving), or have them do it before they even ship to me. It's kind of a wash?

 

Could be.

Are you installing yourself?

I've used this method several times and so have hundreds of others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6u7dC7EHg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo0FJSi-KYs

 

So you think the full Dakar pack PLUS OME AAL for the back? Will this be too much for when I take the sand out, reducing the weight by 200lbs?

Will the front strut and spring work together? When I clicked on the 5100's, the only springs that came up with it were the OME springs which don't look like they add enough lift.

 

A lot of time you are money and time ahead if we do it. Shops will usually charge more, and they will be re-using your stock top-plates, coil isolators and sometimes the bushings and washers. The $134.00 Assembly Charge includes New Top-Plates, Coil Isolators, Bushings & Washers and they will be marked Driver and Passenger ready to bolt on.

Also for the rear we can pre-assemble the AAL set in the packs for a labor charge of $30.00 which the majority of the time is actually much cheaper than additional shipping of the AAL set shipping as an extra package.

 

IIRC it adds somewhere between .5-.75 inches.

That said, I didn't catch the sand part (just the 500 lbs mention..). I'd omit the AAL and go with a full Dakar pack instead.

My truck has a 240 lb constant load (+/-) and I don't use the AAL. I have OME coils up front that are around 2.5-2.75" of lift, and I still have a bit of rake.

 

Yep, if the sand is not going to back there all the time, then you may not need the additional leaf.

 

Awesome! I think we (friends and me) can do this.

 

It's really simple and straight forward. I'd definitely recommend that method if you have the floor jack or can get one. Certainly a money saver.

 

@YotaDan Just emailed you this morning regarding a Wheeler's Off Road purchase. I know it's Friday before a big Holiday weekend. Just want to make sure I have everything in order and correct before purchasing. No hurry though either. We can always wait until the new year.

 

You probably don't need the sand in addition to the cap, gear and tools. One or the other is enough to add some weight in the bed to increase traction in snow and ice.

 

I was pondering that. This is my truck as it sits this morning. It's at an angle.

 

Have you considered doing the bilsteins set 1.75"? Could get away without doing the Upper A-arms and springs. Either way Yota Dan will take good care of you.

 

I'm kinda pondering the Wheeler's 2" AAL instead of the Dakar leaf pack since I won't be lugging around 200lb of salt in the back all the time. And switching the front springs to OME 885.

 

My single 1.5" AAL installation wasn't bad at all. 885s are a good choice and will get you 2.5" up front. I bet with the shell and other weight in the back you'll get that level look you are seeking. FWIW, I've had my wheeler's 1.5" AAL and 884s for about 7 months now and they haven't lost any height since I measured hub to fender 2 weeks after I installed.

 

Can I possibly go with the instead of the Dakar leaf pack?