Taco lean; spacer vs mixed circlip

Hey folks, going to be doing my 6112/5160 install soon. I had planned on doing the offset circlip (right vs. left) to deal with the taco lean. Then it occurred to me that I’m basically putting different preload on my shocks. Would it be better (balanced) to do a small spacer on one side and keep my two shocks at the same preload? Would that provide a more evenly balanced suspension system? Or is it a case of “meh, tomato tomatoe”.

 

I've heard it's better to level with the circlips. I'd hope there's a reason Bilstein designed it that way.

 

Shim spacer is ideal, but I usually do one clip higher, some suggest 2 clips higher on the 6112s but I feel like thats too much.

 

toytec makes a spacer. Folks say spacer multiplies by 2. Aka 1/4” spacer = 1/2” height gain

not sure what’s easier to put. Circlip certainly cheaper, already has the part. May have more fine tuning adjustability.

supposedly spacers interfere with proper suspension operation

 

If increasing preload via circlip gets you where you need I would do that. Both methods will give you the same result. I have my driver side coil preloaded more than my passenger side to make up for the lean. Different preload side to side will still give you the same ride quality as if they weren't different.

 

Only thing ive seen about ride quality is reports of it being made worse when maxing it out for max lift

which shouldn’t be done anyway for other reasons

plus some rake is fine and looks better
Anything 100% level is gonna tilt back in many situations

 

@TacoTuesday1 I was shooting for 1.5” of lift, but quality rear lift options didn’t quite get me there. AAL options were ~1.5”, but full packs were closer to 2”. So I went with the Icon RXT option which is nominally 1.875”. I’ll do the rear first and see where I end up. Will then try to match the same delta with the fronts and hope they settle equally. Nervous I’m going to be a full 2.5” above current stock.

 

Yes, general consensus you want atleast 4" up and 4" down for front suspension for doing any type of offroading. Minimum of at least 3" down travel regardless of application. The higher you lift for static ride height the more down travel you lose. Resulting in topping out the coilover, introducing a harsh feeling ride as well as potential of damaging your coilovers. Staying around the 2" - 2.5" lift range minimizes this from happening on tacomas for those not familiar with setting up suspensions.

 

Probably going to end up with 2”… was hoping for 1.5”.

These arrived today in stellar packaging.

 

I have RXT bought used set to option 3. Ran camper shell. They'd compress loaded with weight like moving.
Extended brake lines.
Not sure if there's any benefit or if it's worth doing to switch it to Op2. Definitely more labor.

Really up to you if you want to start with rear, then adjust front to that
IMO a little bit of front rake is good.
Or to start with front, then choose op2/op3 in rear based on that.

folks seem to avoid op1, supposedly that configuration tends to flatten over time
plus less lift and weight carrying ability

There may even be publicly posted recommendations on what to set 6112 to, including charts from Bilstein
lift amount varies based on truck spec (engine, etc.)
supposedly highest clip setting runs into issues and isn't recommended.
So maybe a clip or two down.
And that's just going off the old style with like 4-5 clips total. Within last year they switched to an updated design with like 8-10 clips of adjustment range.

Max height can mean other issues like CV angles, wheel tilting out from positive camber (if no other mods)
knew a guy with a lifted front 3rd gen (basically the same chassis) that didn't have UCA's, and any time the truck was raised up it would clunk.

Like lifting it to change the oil on a shop lift and the wheels droop, the stock UCA would smack into the spring and make a huge bang.

when my front was high (OME 887 I think, 5100) I ran into positive camber issues
right now it's a bit too low (need to change in HD springs for bumper) but with or without bumper the camber has been 0deg, possibly due to not being max height

I'm reading up on it now. Haven't read every thread page yet. But so far it seems like Op3 is folks general recommendation on RXT rear.
So like you said if you start with that, it can give you reference point doing the math on what lift to set the front to.

 

@TacoTuesday1 thanks for the input. I’m running light, so no camper or heavy gear. My plan is to measure all 4 and get a baseline. Then install option 1 and see what my lift is. Hoping it’s 2” or less. Then I’ll look up the Bilstein charts. The problem is that I think those charts indicate lift over stock. With 85k miles on stock, I’m sure I’ve settled some up front and that’s going to probably end up giving me a little more lift (compared to now) than the tables suggest. If it’s all super smooth at 2”, I’m good. If I end up with vibes and I’m 2”…. Bummer since I’ll have to add a shim which will add more lift.

 

Well, got the rears installed today. Debating what to do with that brake line clip on each side. Either these are going to settle a fair amount, or my stock leafs were pretty shot. Got a bit over 3” of lift in the rear. . I’m guessing my stock shocks had sagged 3/4” or more. By specs, I got 1.25” inch more than the predicted 1.875”.

I picked up the shock body mounts for the rezis, how do you make sure the main body doesn’t rotate under normal use? If it rotates too much, the rezi will bump up against the mounts or the tires.

Would have finished up today but messed up. Made a quick run to Whataburger after the rears and I’m afraid I left the security socket on the lugnut. Nowhere to be found. Walked the street a bit and no luck. It’s either hiding in the garage, or out on the street somewhere. Will take another look in the morning with daylight, and then make a run to Toyota if necessary.

Guess I’ll just go with the Bilstein tables for the front and shoot for 2”.

 

I think the RXT pics show truck with weight on the back.

yes it’s a lot of lift. But should settle over time. No way to predict exactly how much ahead of time.