Bilstein 6112/5160 Installed (4 Viewers)

[Tex68w]

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:

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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:

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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.

No clearance issues with the shark fin antenna and the ARB steel flat rack? Are you running wheel spacers?

 

[raoulduke101]

No clearance issues with the shark fin antenna and the ARB steel flat rack? Are you running wheel spacers?

No clearance issues at all with the shark fin and the rack. No wheel spacers at the moment, but they are on my wish list.

 

[raoulduke101]

After driving about 150 miles fully loaded on rough dirt roads (and another 600 on the highway), my suspension did settle a bit. With the exception of the right rear, it settled about .25" all the way around. Interestingly, the right rear did not settle at all. So, I netted out 2" all the way around, except for the 2.25" in the right rear, with fronts set at fourth perch and Bilstein rear springs. Here are the measurements (from approx. center of hub to edge of wheel well):

 

[21200]

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

Pictures for those that are interested:
275/65r18 toyo at3 C load. Lift installed on 4th perch.
Just slightly taller than the stock tire, but the aggressive tread helps it appear larger. It is .5" narrower at 11" wide. Rides fantastic. I wanted to go bigger, but was not willing to sacrifice the ride quality to go to an E rated tire. This was the best option I could find in an 18" wheel when considering on road ride quality. Im happy with it!

 

[Fj4077]

TIme to lift her!

Long time lurker first time posting with the 200 (some pics, or at least I tried to upload some pics):

Heres the plan:
Bilstein 6112/5160 kit
1.25" Spidertrax wheel spacers from Slee
Stock wheels.
UCA: undecided, could be TC, OME, etc What you do for my build spec?
Tires: I would like to go 285/75R18 MT ?? trimming? BMC? etc? I don't mind chopping stuff.
or
Tires: 285/70R18 km3s, this sorta feels like my back up, responsible decision.

Looking forward to some dos or don'ts

Ed

 

[Yossarian]

TIme to lift her!

Long time lurker first time posting with the 200 (some pics, or at least I tried to upload some pics):

Heres the plan:
Bilstein 6112/5160 kit
1.25" Spidertrax wheel spacers from Slee
Stock wheels.
UCA: undecided, could be TC, OME, etc What you do for my build spec?
Tires: I would like to go 285/75R18 MT ?? trimming? BMC? etc? I don't mind chopping stuff.
or
Tires: 285/70R18 km3s, this sorta feels like my back up, responsible decision.

Looking forward to some dos or don'ts

Ed

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Does your LC have KDSS or not? Look back a few threads and you'll see a non-kdss truck had fitment issues. Interference with the sway-bar.

HTH.

 

[Fj4077]

Yup! KDSS equipped, I was hoping the 1.25 inch wheel spacers would push trouble out the way.

HTH.
[/QUOTE]

Does your LC have KDSS or not? Look back a few threads and you'll see a non-kdss truck had fitment issues. Interference with the sway-bar.

HTH.

 

[Yossarian]

Yup! KDSS equipped, I was hoping the 1.25 inch wheel spacers would push trouble out the way.

HTH.

[/QUOTE]

The issue appears to be sway-bar interference with the rear shocks attached reservoir on a non-kdss truck. So you should be ok, spacer or not.

Good luck!

 

[Fj4077]

The issue appears to be sway-bar interference with the rear shocks attached reservoir on a non-kdss truck. So you should be ok, spacer or not.

Good luck!
[/QUOTE]

Thanks man! im a little nervous since im shipping suspension+tires overseas so once they get here they are mine and have to fit lol.

 

[samster747]

I finished install this week and just had a quick question. The rear shock top mount nut was a pain in the ass to put on and torque down. What do you guys think of the current state of the nut on the top mount? I feel this was the best I could tighten down without risking stripping of the stem. It was a real exercise to try and find the best position to get some leverage and hold that stem and tighten that nut. Thanks in advance!

 

[dcs111]

I finished install this week and just had a quick question. The rear shock top mount nut was a pain in the ass to put on and torque down. What do you guys think of the current state of the nut on the top mount? I feel this was the best I could tighten down without risking stripping of the stem. It was a real exercise to try and find the best position to get some leverage and hold that stem and tighten that nut. Thanks in advance!

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Last Thursday, I picked up my LC from Bilstein with the 6112/5160 shocks and springs installed. (While I loaned my LC to Bilstein to test the heavy springs, they are not ready for release yet and I got the normal load springs.) The lift in front is 2.3 inches and 2.0 inches in the rear. The alignment was spot on without aftermarket UCA's. The truck looks great with a discrete but purposeful appearance, matching the overall look of the 200 series. On the road, the ride is controlled but still very comfortable. It does not pogo like Kings and is not as harsh as ICONS that I have had on prior trucks. I took it off road (albeit on an easy trail) and would describe them the same way; very controlled -- much more than the stock set up -- no harshness at all, and on faster sections, there was no hint of the shocks overheating. For my intended use -- exploring the southwest and baja, hunting and camping -- I think the 6112/5160s will deliver all of the performance will need and I am hard pressed to think of a reason why I would need a more expensive set up, like I had with my prior Tacoma with an ICON Stage 5 and Dakar springs and 4Runner with an ICON Stage 6. I am very pleased with this set up.

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This thread has been very beneficial for me. I am getting ready to pull the trigger on the following:

Front - Bilstein Front Coil/ Damper Combo (4th Perch considered)
Rear - OME 2721 Coils/ Bilstein Damper (assume 2" lift according to Slee's website + progressive rate springs for towing) + Firestone bag kit

I am on the fence as to whether I need UCA's at 4th perch - curious how many have gone that high + good alignment without the aftermarket UCA?

TIA!!!

 

[HustleHard]

This thread has been very beneficial for me. I am getting ready to pull the trigger on the following:

Front - Bilstein Front Coil/ Damper Combo (4th Perch considered)
Rear - OME 2721 Coils/ Bilstein Damper (assume 2" lift according to Slee's website + progressive rate springs for towing) + Firestone bag kit

I am on the fence as to whether I need UCA's at 4th perch - curious how many have gone that high + good alignment without the aftermarket UCA?

TIA!!!

I went to the 5th perch and had no issues getting it aligned with oem UCAs.

 

[raoulduke101]

This thread has been very beneficial for me. I am getting ready to pull the trigger on the following:

Front - Bilstein Front Coil/ Damper Combo (4th Perch considered)
Rear - OME 2721 Coils/ Bilstein Damper (assume 2" lift according to Slee's website + progressive rate springs for towing) + Firestone bag kit

I am on the fence as to whether I need UCA's at 4th perch - curious how many have gone that high + good alignment without the aftermarket UCA?

TIA!!!

I'm on the 4th perch and was able to align it within specs no problem on OEM UCAs. Still, as many have pointed out in this forum, just because you are able to align within specs does not mean that you have optimal alignment, so upgraded UCAs are never a bad idea.

 

[Yossarian]

@HustleHard and @raoulduke101 care to shar the alignment #'s you were able to get?

Recall early on in this or another Bilstein thread, Bilstein's claim about designing the 6112/5160 suspension as to NOT require UCA for alignment. Sure.....

 

[HustleHard]

@HustleHard and @raoulduke101 care to shar the alignment #'s you were able to get?

Recall early on in this or another Bilstein thread, Bilstein's claim about designing the 6112/5160 suspension as to NOT require UCA for alignment. Sure.....

Here are the after numbers:

Front Left Front Right
.4 Camber .3
2.5 Caster 2.7
.11 Toe .12
12.1 SAI 12.5
12.5 Included Angle 12.9

Front
Cross Camber 0
Cross Caster -.2
Cross SAI -.4
Total Toe .22

 

[adamb]

Finally got mine installed yesterday. 3rd perch in front with bilstein rear springs. Loving it so far. Exactly the lift height I was looking for - just a touch more clearance but without making it too difficult for the kids to scamper in. Drives like a dream so far. Best way I can describe is similar characteristics to OEM... just better. Not too stiff but still feels more confident.

Headed to Death Valley on Saturday for the first leg of a two month cross country move/road trip with my wife, two young daughters, and mom. Excited to put it through its paces on this adventure.

 

[bloc]

Needing aftermarket UCAs to get the majority of 200-series suspension within alignment specs is purely a function of lift height. If bilstein kept it low enough, even on the highest perch, no UCA -required-.

Thing is, sometimes this might mean maxing out the LCA adjusting cams to the ends of their range. This can be problematic if your vehicle is one of the few to need more adjustment than most to get into spec due to prior damage or even slight variances from the factory. Also, in general, it is preferred to have those cams near the middle of their range. Well designed aftermarket UCAs move the upper ball joint to allow this.

If you want to move your alignment specs slightly from stock, to get more or less caster to change tracking on the freeway for instance, you might need this extra adjustment range.

A good alignment shop was able to get my truck in range after my king 2.5s with stock UCAs, but those adjusters were almost maxed out, and it wasn’t quite in the middle of the range. I installed ARB/OME UCAs, right to the middle of the adjusters and the spec range.. and it definitely drives better. And, if I decide to play with caster in the future, I can.

Personally I’d advise just pulling the trigger on good UCAs when you install your bilsteins if you get close to 2” or more lift. The cost isn’t very high, you are already in there, and you save on not doing the alignment twice. I HATE suspension squeaks and so far the OME arms have been problem free even with no grease, per the instructions.

 

[dcs111]

Needing aftermarket UCAs to get the majority of 200-series suspension within alignment specs is purely a function of lift height. If bilstein kept it low enough, even on the highest perch, no UCA -required-.

Thing is, sometimes this might mean maxing out the LCA adjusting cams to the ends of their range. This can be problematic if your vehicle is one of the few to need more adjustment than most to get into spec due to prior damage or even slight variances from the factory. Also, in general, it is preferred to have those cams near the middle of their range. Well designed aftermarket UCAs move the upper ball joint to allow this.

If you want to move your alignment specs slightly from stock, to get more or less caster to change tracking on the freeway for instance, you might need this extra adjustment range.

A good alignment shop was able to get my truck in range after my king 2.5s with stock UCAs, but those adjusters were almost maxed out, and it wasn’t quite in the middle of the range. I installed ARB/OME UCAs, right to the middle of the adjusters and the spec range.. and it definitely drives better. And, if I decide to play with caster in the future, I can.

Personally I’d advise just pulling the trigger on good UCAs when you install your bilsteins if you get close to 2” or more lift. The cost isn’t very high, you are already in there, and you save on not doing the alignment twice. I HATE suspension squeaks and so far the OME arms have been problem free even with no grease, per the instructions.

@bloc thanks for the protips... I have decided it is worth the few extra pennies to move forward with UCA's. And now realizing there are several mfr's of these... It seems the OME branded are well regarded, but hard to find right now (first choice). as a second choice, I am looking the Dobinson's brand with apparently similar "maintenance free" and "noise free" characteristics. They do not get much press on mud and so going to do a bit of research on the Aussie forums before pulling trigger... Thanks, again and will post some data when SHTUFF gets real...

 

[dcs111]

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Finally got mine installed yesterday. 3rd perch in front with bilstein rear springs. Loving it so far. Exactly the lift height I was looking for - just a touch more clearance but without making it too difficult for the kids to scamper in. Drives like a dream so far. Best way I can describe is similar characteristics to OEM... just better. Not too stiff but still feels more confident.

Headed to Death Valley on Saturday for the first leg of a two month cross country move/road trip with my wife, two young daughters, and mom. Excited to put it through its paces on this adventure.

Wonderful looking truck!

 

[Tommy Dwyer]

@bloc thanks for the protips... I have decided it is worth the few extra pennies to move forward with UCA's. And now realizing there are several mfr's of these... It seems the OME branded are well regarded, but hard to find right now (first choice). as a second choice, I am looking the Dobinson's brand with apparently similar "maintenance free" and "noise free" characteristics. They do not get much press on mud and so going to do a bit of research on the Aussie forums before pulling trigger... Thanks, again and will post some data when SHTUFF gets real...

I purchased my OME ucas through this eBay seller. Priced the same as everyone else, prompt shipping. Looks like they have stock.

ARB UCA0001 Black OME Suspension Upper Control Arms for Land Cruiser 200 Series | eBay

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