Bilstein 6112/5160 Installed (4 Viewers)

[bloc]

Oh yeah for sure, as soon as I slap the stocks back on all the problems go away. I do however have an odd, sharp, metal on metal creek, intermittent at full left and right lock. When it happens, which is rare, you can feel a slight shift

If you look at the outer ends of your LCAs you’ll see some curved solid metal pieces. These are secondary steering stops and if they go dry can cause a significant squeak when the suspension cycles at all. Try putting some thick grease on the curved areas and see if the noise changes. These aren’t like u-joints or anything but I make sure the area is at least not dry at every oil change.

 

[Colby Murphy]

If you look at the outer ends of your LCAs you’ll see some curved solid metal pieces. These are secondary steering stops and if they go dry can cause a significant squeak when the suspension cycles at all. Try putting some thick grease on the curved areas and see if the noise changes. These aren’t like u-joints or anything but I make sure the area is at least not dry at every oil change.

I think I know exactly what you are talking about, almost like a receiver for the stop point on the spindle/knuckle?

 

[bloc]

I think I know exactly what you are talking about, almost like a receiver for the stop point on the spindle/knuckle?

Yep. Might not be it, but it’s super simple to smear some grease on there and see if it helps.

 

[21200]

Picked up mine after the installation (4th perch up front, Bilstein springs in the rear) last week. Very pleased with the ride quality! Feels a lot like stock, but a little firmer and handles better in the turns or under braking. Feels significantly taller from the drivers position, and looks great even with the stock wheel and tire setup. I am having 32" toyo ATIII's installed later this week.

Definitely an improvement over the stock setup on road, which I cant say I have seen with "off road" or "desert racing" style aftermarket suspension kits I have tried in the past. Highly recommend to anyone trying to improve the on road driving characteristics, particularly when the vehicle is loaded.

 

[PabloTX]

Picked up mine after the installation (4th perch up front, Bilstein springs in the rear) last week. Very pleased with the ride quality! Feels a lot like stock, but a little firmer and handles better in the turns or under braking. Feels significantly taller from the drivers position, and looks great even with the stock wheel and tire setup. I am having 32" toyo ATIII's installed later this week.

Definitely an improvement over the stock setup on road, which I cant say I have seen with "off road" or "desert racing" style aftermarket suspension kits I have tried in the past. Highly recommend to anyone trying to improve the on road driving characteristics, particularly when the vehicle is loaded.

Pictures please once you add the Toyos (285/65R18 I assume?)

 

[jglc2013]

Picked up mine after the installation (4th perch up front, Bilstein springs in the rear) last week. Very pleased with the ride quality! Feels a lot like stock, but a little firmer and handles better in the turns or under braking. Feels significantly taller from the drivers position, and looks great even with the stock wheel and tire setup. I am having 32" toyo ATIII's installed later this week.

Definitely an improvement over the stock setup on road, which I cant say I have seen with "off road" or "desert racing" style aftermarket suspension kits I have tried in the past. Highly recommend to anyone trying to improve the on road driving characteristics, particularly when the vehicle is loaded.

Sounds like I need to go back to the drawing board and get my front perch adjusted / springs tossed in!

I've been stewing on this all weekend!

I'd love to see some pics of your rig after the install. I'm pretty sure I'm doing the Toyos in 285/65R18 too.

 

[163bc]

Pictures please once you add the Toyos (285/65R18 I assume?)

Yes pics please. I am contemplating this exact set up. Thanks,

 

[04UZJ100]

Picked up mine after the installation (4th perch up front, Bilstein springs in the rear) last week. Very pleased with the ride quality! Feels a lot like stock, but a little firmer and handles better in the turns or under braking. Feels significantly taller from the drivers position, and looks great even with the stock wheel and tire setup. I am having 32" toyo ATIII's installed later this week.

Definitely an improvement over the stock setup on road, which I cant say I have seen with "off road" or "desert racing" style aftermarket suspension kits I have tried in the past. Highly recommend to anyone trying to improve the on road driving characteristics, particularly when the vehicle is loaded.

Get bigger tires. 32” will look like you skipped leg day.

 

[21200]

Get bigger tires. 32” will look like you skipped leg day.

This picture posted earlier in thread by Roaulduke101 is what helped make my decision.

286/65r18 so 32" and some change, I think it looks just right. Looks like they should have come from the factory. This particular vehicle has the stock rear springs. Even though a larger tire will fit, I don't always find a massive tire stuffed in there looks proper for my tastes, and I am over dealing with tires rubbing. The fact that toyo makes the at3 in a C load in that size was enough for me to settle on this setup. Will report back when everything is finished thursday!

 

[21200]

Pictures please once you add the Toyos (285/65R18 I assume?)

Yes that is the size and I should have some pictures posted by the end of the week.

 

[TeCKis300]

Get bigger tires. 32” will look like you skipped leg day.

This.

For those that understand exactly their need and wants, 32s are just fine.

For those really chasing off-road performance, including suspension performance, there's no better upgrade than bigger tires. Bigger than what you're thinking - 34s even. Big tires make any given obstacle or bump, smaller, supporting the suspensions ability to do more. The tire also becomes an integral part of the suspension when aired down, providing more compliance, under axle lift, and traction. There's recipes all over this forum to fit big meats without any rub. And it can be done with relatively minor compromises when done right.

 

[04UZJ100]

This picture posted earlier in thread by Roaulduke101 is what helped make my decision.
View attachment 2607585
286/65r18 so 32" and some change, I think it looks just right. Looks like they should have come from the factory. This particular vehicle has the stock rear springs. Even though a larger tire will fit, I don't always find a massive tire stuffed in there looks proper for my tastes, and I am over dealing with tires rubbing. The fact that toyo makes the at3 in a C load in that size was enough for me to settle on this setup. Will report back when everything is finished thursday!

Toyo makes an E and an SL 285/65/18 AT3. The former of which has a Max inflation diameter of 32.6 and the latter 31.5”. FYI.

 

[raoulduke101]

I was able to truly test my suspension last weekend with a heavy load and some moderate off roading. Hopefully this will help those who are trying to decide on perch height and rear springs.

Without any load, my truck maintained stock rake after I got the lift installed (though it might have settled some since then--I'll take measurements and post). I definitely prefer some forward rake because if your truck is level without a load, you will definitely have reverse rake when loaded. Once I loaded about 450# of water, food, and gear in the truck, the rear did sag a bit on the Bilstein springs. Here are a couple of pics of the truck with all that gear and pretty much a full tank of fuel:

450# isn't even that big of a load compared to some loads I have carried on longer trips, so I am beginning to think I should have gone with dual rate springs. And keep in mind that I removed the third-row seats and packed the heavier items, such as water jugs and coolers, forward of the rear axles to help distribute the load better.

The suspension handled the rough roads of Big Bend really well. I did hit some dips at fairly high speed that caused the rear suspension to hit the bump stops a couple times, but I was pushing it pretty hard at that point. Otherwise, I was really impressed how it fared on rough roads.

One thing I noticed was the increased articulation the springs give you. I don't ever remember my truck having this much articulation at this same spot in years past:

So, my impression so far is that this suspension system is great if you don't plan to load down your truck too much. If you do, consider some heavier rear springs. I'm still really happy with it.

 

[ontopofm]

I got my order today too! No UCA for me though since I feel I'll be ok at perch 4 with stock. Plan to do install myself.

Who did you order it from?

 

[samster747]

Who did you order it from?

ajusa.com....I think they had the best price plus no tax and free shipping if I recall correctly.

 

[iqbal624]

Finally got my suspension completed. 6112’s on the top perch (3”) with OME 2722’s in the rear (no rear seats or load in the back for now).

I was stupid and didn’t take before measurements

 

[Tex68w]

Finally got my suspension completed. 6112’s on the top perch (3”) with OME 2722’s in the rear (no rear seats or load in the back for now).

I was stupid and didn’t take before measurements

View attachment 2610067

View attachment 2610068

What size tires and width wheels?

 

[iqbal624]

What size tires and width wheels?

17x8.5 +0 w/285/75/17

 

[raoulduke101]

Finally got my suspension completed. 6112’s on the top perch (3”) with OME 2722’s in the rear (no rear seats or load in the back for now).

I was stupid and didn’t take before measurements

Looks nice! Would you mind taking "after" measurements, from center of hub to wheel well? I'm curious to know how much lift the 2722s gave you.

 

[Colby Murphy]

17x8.5 +0 w/285/75/17

how's she drive? any torque steer ?