Bilstein 6112/5160 Installed (4 Viewers)

nolamule · Mar 3, 2021

@raoulduke101 - Looks great!! Thank you for the before and after measurements.

Tex68w · Mar 3, 2021

raoulduke101 said:
After a delay caused by the Texas Snowpocalypse, I finally got my lift installed. I'm really pleased with how it turned out so far. I'm taking my truck out to Big Bend this weekend, so I'll be able to report how it does on some of the rough stuff soon. My initial impressions so far are similar to what others have said--decreased nose dive when breaking and less body roll, but not overly stiff and rough.

Before:

View attachment 2602390

After:

View attachment 2602392

Front shocks are set at the 4th perch. I ended up with 2.25" of lift all the way around. The third row seats have been removed. Here are my measurements (measurements from approx. center of hub to wheel well):

Before. After
LF: 19.75 22.0
RF: 20.0 22.25
LR: 20.5 22.75
RR: 20.75 23.0

I've got an Ironman premium front bumper and 12,000# winch on the way. I'm curious to see how much the front will drop with another 200+ pounds of bumper and winch on the front.

If it's anything like mine it'll drop about 1/4" with that bumper and winch, 1/2" at most. I changed springs but that was with the Ironman FCP kit, not Bilsteins. Truck looks great, I think I might follow in your footsteps.

jglc2013 · Mar 3, 2021

raoulduke101 said:
After a delay caused by the Texas Snowpocalypse, I finally got my lift installed. I'm really pleased with how it turned out so far. I'm taking my truck out to Big Bend this weekend, so I'll be able to report how it does on some of the rough stuff soon. My initial impressions so far are similar to what others have said--decreased nose dive when breaking and less body roll, but not overly stiff and rough.

Before:

View attachment 2602390

After:

View attachment 2602392

Front shocks are set at the 4th perch. I ended up with 2.25" of lift all the way around. The third row seats have been removed. Here are my measurements (measurements from approx. center of hub to wheel well):

Before. After
LF: 19.75 22.0
RF: 20.0 22.25
LR: 20.5 22.75
RR: 20.75 23.0

I've got an Ironman premium front bumper and 12,000# winch on the way. I'm curious to see how much the front will drop with another 200+ pounds of bumper and winch on the front.

This looks great! Mine is at the dealer right now getting the shocks installed. I have been on the fence about whether to have the Bilstein springs installed too. Can you confirm whether you went with or without the Bilstein springs in the rear?

How is the ride?

Also, the tires look like a great size for the lift. Are those 275/65/18s?

PabloTX · Mar 3, 2021

raoulduke101 said:
After a delay caused by the Texas Snowpocalypse, I finally got my lift installed. I'm really pleased with how it turned out so far. I'm taking my truck out to Big Bend this weekend, so I'll be able to report how it does on some of the rough stuff soon. My initial impressions so far are similar to what others have said--decreased nose dive when breaking and less body roll, but not overly stiff and rough.

Before:

View attachment 2602390

After:

View attachment 2602392

Front shocks are set at the 4th perch. I ended up with 2.25" of lift all the way around. The third row seats have been removed. Here are my measurements (measurements from approx. center of hub to wheel well):

Before. After
LF: 19.75 22.0
RF: 20.0 22.25
LR: 20.5 22.75
RR: 20.75 23.0

I've got an Ironman premium front bumper and 12,000# winch on the way. I'm curious to see how much the front will drop with another 200+ pounds of bumper and winch on the front.

285/65R18?

raoulduke101 · Mar 3, 2021

jglc2013 said:
This looks great! Mine is at the dealer right now getting the shocks installed. I have been on the fence about whether to have the Bilstein springs installed too. Can you confirm whether you went with or without the Bilstein springs in the rear?

How is the ride?

Also, the tires look like a great size for the lift. Are those 275/65/18s?

Yes, I installed Bilstein springs and shocks in the rear. I was tempted to go with Icon rear springs, because they make a nice dual-rate spring that works well with this setup.

Tires are 285/65R18 (32.5" diameter).

The ride is great so far, but I've only driven it a few miles. Stiffer than stock, but not overly stiff.

raoulduke101 · Mar 3, 2021

PabloTX said:
285/65R18?

Yes. Personally I think this tire size looks great with this lift, but they would look too small on some of the 3" lift kits like OME.

PabloTX · Mar 3, 2021

raoulduke101 said:
Yes. Personally I think this tire size looks great with this lift, but they would look too small on some of the 3" lift kits like OME.

Thanks. Looks great. Gives me goals.

raoulduke101 · Mar 3, 2021

Tex68w said:
If it's anything like mine it'll drop about 1/4" with that bumper and winch, 1/2" at most. I changed springs but that was with the Ironman FCP kit, not Bilsteins. Truck looks great, I think I might follow in your footsteps.

Thanks for that info. I'm hoping it ends up closer to 1/4". If I lose 1/2", I might have to pull the front strut assembly and move them to the 5th perch.

adamb · Mar 3, 2021

raoulduke101 said:
After a delay caused by the Texas Snowpocalypse, I finally got my lift installed. I'm really pleased with how it turned out so far. I'm taking my truck out to Big Bend this weekend, so I'll be able to report how it does on some of the rough stuff soon. My initial impressions so far are similar to what others have said--decreased nose dive when braking and less body roll, but not overly stiff and rough.

Before:

View attachment 2602390

After:

View attachment 2602392

Front shocks are set at the 4th perch. I ended up with 2.25" of lift all the way around. The third row seats have been removed. Here are my measurements (measurements from approx. center of hub to wheel well):

Before. After
LF: 19.75 22.0
RF: 20.0 22.25
LR: 20.5 22.75
RR: 20.75 23.0

I've got an Ironman premium front bumper and 12,000# winch on the way. I'm curious to see how much the front will drop with another 200+ pounds of bumper and winch on the front.

Thanks for the pics! Getting mine installed in a couple weeks and debating between 3 and 4th perch. 4th looks amazing.

PabloTX · Mar 3, 2021

adamb said:
Thanks for the pics! Getting mine installed in a couple weeks and debating between 3 and 4th perch. 4th looks amazing.

Agreed. Would love to see what it looks like with the interior loaded out for the Big Bend trip.

raoulduke101 · Mar 3, 2021

adamb said:
Thanks for the pics! Getting mine installed in a couple weeks and debating between 3 and 4th perch. 4th looks amazing.

Thanks. I’m expecting the rear to settle some after I load it up and hit dirt roads this weekend, so I’m guessing I’ll lose some of the rake.. I’ll re-measure and post the results next week when I get back.

patpend2000 · Mar 4, 2021

I’m having mine installed next week, keeping the stock rear springs. What perch have others set the front at to level the front and rear?

PabloTX · Mar 4, 2021

patpend2000 said:
I’m having mine installed next week, keeping the stock rear springs. What perch have others set the front at to level the front and rear?

Following this. I’m leaning heavily towards the Bilsetin setup, but am considering keeping my rear two-row HE springs. Any input on benefits/drawbacks would be appreciated.

raoulduke101 · Mar 4, 2021

PabloTX said:
Following this. I’m leaning heavily towards the Bilsetin setup, but am considering keeping my rear two-row HE springs. Any input on benefits/drawbacks would be appreciated.

Maybe this will help you. I did the fronts a few days before I did the rears and took the pic below of the truck with Bilstein front shocks/coils, but stock rear coils (Bilstein shocks were installed in rear at this point). Fronts are set at 4th perch. This set-up appears to level out the truck, but this is with no weight at all in the rear. If you loaded the rear with gear, you would definitely get some reverse rake. I would go no higher than 3rd perch with stock rear coils.

samster747 · Mar 4, 2021

raoulduke101 said:
Maybe this will help you. I did the fronts a few days before I did the rears and took the pic below of the truck with Bilstein front shocks/coils, but stock rear coils (Bilstein shocks were installed in rear at this point). Fronts are set at 4th perch. This set-up appears to level out the truck, but this is with no weight at all in the rear. If you loaded the rear with gear, you would definitely get some reverse rake. I would go no higher than 3rd perch with stock rear coils.

View attachment 2602893

thanks for this pic...yeah its no bueno for me. I plan on installing soon...will do the 4th perch up front and I got the Icon springs for the rear. I also plan on installing airbags as well. I feel at min psi for the bags, it'll still keep a nice rake when moderately loaded in the rear. for me personally, I just detest the reverse rake.

kbohtx · Mar 4, 2021

Here's some before and after pics of mine with 6112 up front on the lowest setting and stock rear springs.