Suspension question help

Hi everyone, new tacoma owner and i'm looking to install a small lift, 2-2.5 in. I am planning for bilstein 5100 with oem coils on second to top notch for front, but the back is where I am confused. I am planning to use AAL pack for rear which says it will give 2 in also. Do I need to replace the rear shocks with ones that give 2 in along with the leaf pack? Or can I still use stock rear shocks with the leaf pack? Thanks

 

Depends on your truck and your intended use. You might be able to get away with stock rears, but they were designed for stock ride height and you are adding height, so you will lose that much down travel. Do you need the down travel for your use?

 

I would get new rear shocks as well, as the add a leaf will increase the thickness of the pack, making the extended length (drooped out) of everything longer. This will make the shock potentially act as a limiting piece, and lead to failure.
Slightly longer (ones good for 1-2” lift”) Bilsteins shouldn’t be much more money at all.

 

I don't necessarily need the down travel, but do I occasionally haul some things and I don't want a harsh ride.

 

Gotcha, thanks. Would you recommend 5100's for rear too or a different shock?

 

Not sure if 2nd gens are like 1st gens as far as the brake proportioning valve bracket but if you are going 2 in up in the rear, you might need to make a bpvb out of a piece of scrap steel unless your AAL setup sends you one.

 

Yes if you’re going with the bilstiens for the front, I’d match in the rear.
Another similar option that I had and loved, is the Fox performance 2.0 series. They have one that’s the same idea as the bilstein 5100’s, as well as one that comes with a new coil prebuilt + rear shocks to match.
I prefer Fox, but bilstein is plenty good quality.
https://www.ridefox.com/subhome.php?m=truck&make=Toyota&model=Tacoma+&year=2009&position=ALL

 

OP shouldn’t have an issue. I used to have a 2” add a leaf and had no problems with brake line length.

 

Not brake line length.
The brake proportioning valve bracket length.

 

Ah, I didn't catch that. Any event I did not have to mess with any of that stuff.