Bilstein 6112/5160 Installed (3 Viewers)

[colacola]

I ordered Bilstein everything, front/rear shocks & coils. Decided to go with non HD rear coils since I’m not carrying extra weight back there and may remove seats even after it settles. Received most parts already (Front kit and rear right shock). Rear coils tracking showing arrival tomorrow but rear left coil on backorder with Summit. I have checked everywhere and all vendors are waiting on Bilstein to resupply with cloudy etas. This gives me time to make a decision on front UCA’s since Im going 2”-ish and want to have options/space down the road if I go bigger on tires (currently on 285/65/18). Head spinning from reading up on UCA’s …..Dobinson’s looking like they make sense?

Installed everything. Bilstein coils all around. Bilstein shocks in front, tired of waiting on left rear bilstein to become avail so installed ome nitrocharger shocks in rear. Coil airbags in the rear are at 20psi. 10mm coil packer. Will share measurements once it settles if anyone is wondering. It was fairly level without air in so I know I will lose my rake - ordered 15mm coil spacer. Front perch is on 5 so I could lower that to 4.

 

[colacola]

Installed everything. Bilstein coils all around. Bilstein shocks in front, tired of waiting on left rear bilstein to become avail so installed ome nitrocharger shocks in rear. Coil airbags in the rear are at 20psi. 10mm coil packer. Will share measurements once it settles if anyone is wondering. It was fairly level without air in so I know I will lose my rake - ordered 15mm coil spacer. Front perch is on 5 so I could lower that to 4.

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Wanted to share my alignment with you guys I had done at Toyota dealer post-lift with Bilstein shocks/coils & Dobinsons UCAs — any input and advice on next steps would be greatly appreciated. The tech bolted before I picked it up so I couldnt pick his brain.

 

[777Gage]

Just switched out my standard Bilstein rear springs for the HD ones - Had 3 adults in the back on the way to a baseball game and it was a noticeable difference over the Standard springs. A lot more planted and the ride felt more controlled.

Height went from 22 inches to 23 from center hub to inner rear fender. (on the 5th perch in front - may go up one more)

Recommend these if anyone's interested

 

[ryanCA]

Just switched out my standard Bilstein rear springs for the HD ones - Had 3 adults in the back on the way to a baseball game and it was a noticeable difference over the Standard springs. A lot more planted and the ride felt more controlled.

Height went from 22 inches to 23 from center hub to inner rear fender. (on the 5th perch in front - may go up one more)

Recommend these if anyone's interested

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you are just gonna make me lift my truck arent ya ?

 

[TeCKis300]

Wanted to share my alignment with you guys I had done at Toyota dealer post-lift with Bilstein shocks/coils & Dobinsons UCAs — any input and advice on next steps would be greatly appreciated. The tech bolted before I picked it up so I couldnt pick his brain.

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I'll weigh in and it's probably not what you want to hear.

Tech did a piss poor job and practically didn't turn any wrenches. The one adjustment he made to toe on the steering tie rod end didn't even need to be touched. He didn't bother touching the bigger bolts on the lower control arms to adjust the one thing he should have adjusted which is caster.

Granted, there could be reasons. Higher caster to make more space for a larger tire against the body mount. Or that the LCAs were frozen from rust.

But he still did a lot of nothing.

 

[colacola]

I'll weigh in and it's probably not what you want to hear.

Tech did a piss poor job and practically didn't turn any wrenches. The one adjustment he made to toe on the steering tie rod end didn't even need to be touched. He didn't bother touching the bigger bolts on the lower control arms to adjust the one thing he should have adjusted which is caster.

Granted, there could be reasons. Higher caster to make more space for a larger tire against the body mount. Or that the LCAs were frozen from rust.

But he still did a lot of nothing.

Thanks - that was definitely my worry. Tech wasn’t compensating for bigger tires as I only have 285/65/18’s on oem rims. It drives straight but will get it aligned again now that I finally received my rear bilstein shocks. Contemplating moving up a tire size & just got a ship notification of my .75” Borla’s. Will have it aligned after I install new rear shocks & spacers. Its slim pickings around here for 4x4 alignment options.

 

[TeCKis300]

Thanks - that was definitely my worry. Tech wasn’t compensating for bigger tires as I only have 285/65/18’s on oem rims. It drives straight but will get it aligned again now that I finally received my rear bilstein shocks. Contemplating moving up a tire size & just got a ship notification of my .75” Borla’s. Will have it aligned after I install new rear shocks & spacers. Its slim pickings around here for 4x4 alignment options.

The alignment isn't horrible in the sense that it's largely in spec. Perhaps more toe than I like, and higher caster (return to center feel) than necessary.

If this is Lexus, if you complain about the caster being out of spec, they'll easily accommodate you and get it right.

 

[ryanCA]

DUMB question:

If you order the Bilstein shocks+springs front and rear shocks+springs, do you still use the OEM spacer?

Or if you have the OEM spacer installed already, do you remove it, for Bilstein install or leave it in there??

 

[RTaylor]

No need for the spacer with new coilovers. The OEM unit (with spacer installed) will just come out and be replaced by your shiny new Bilstein assembly.

 

[ryanCA]

No need for the spacer with new coilovers. The OEM unit (with spacer installed) will just come out and be replaced by your shiny new Bilstein assembly.

Thank you kindly!

Doing some reading whether to keep oem rear spring + 30 mm spacer vs a bilstein rear spring

 

[ryanCA]

Well after reading the thread, I ordered the parts.

1) Front shock + Spring.
2) Both rear shocks.


Only question I have is: I have received conflicting info hopefully someone can help.

I hate the OEM rake. I would like less. Some people have suggested run STOCK rear spring and add a 30mm spacer with Bilstein shock.

Others have said just do Bilstein shock+spring rear so you have a package, rake will be less than stock, and live with it.

 

[ryanCA]

Just switched out my standard Bilstein rear springs for the HD ones - Had 3 adults in the back on the way to a baseball game and it was a noticeable difference over the Standard springs. A lot more planted and the ride felt more controlled.

Height went from 22 inches to 23 from center hub to inner rear fender. (on the 5th perch in front - may go up one more)

Recommend these if anyone's interested

View attachment 3440361

View attachment 3440362

View attachment 3440363

Rob

If this pic is 5th perch up front, are you running factory UCA, or aftermarket?

I was thinking of doing 4th perch.

 

[Docwyte]

No need for a spacer. I run the stock rear springs and the front bilsteins on the lowest perch. That basically leveled the truck

 

[ryanCA]

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I just put this setup on my 2016. 30mm coil spacer in the back. 4th perch up front. Stock rear springs. Tires are general grabber ATX’s sized 275/70 r18. I couldn’t be happier

That looks SO good.

I am so torn between rear bilstein springs vs the 30mm rear coil spacer.

 

[ryanCA]

No need for a spacer. I run the stock rear springs and the front bilsteins on the lowest perch. That basically leveled the truck

Oh thanks! That is helpful. I am wanting to do the 4th perch on the front .

 

[ryanCA]

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Rides so much better. But that isn't difficult compared to a blown shock. OEM spacer and 1st perch, should yield approximately 2" of lift.

Curious how come you did the OEM spacer + 1st perch. Isn't the Bilstein adjustable so you can do 2" front lift wihtout spacer?

 

[Docwyte]

Oh thanks! That is helpful. I am wanting to do the 4th perch on the front .

That's different. If you want to lift the front and run the stock rear springs then you'll need some sort of spacer for the back, or ditch the stock rear springs for longer ones.

If you just want to level the truck, you can do that with the stock rear springs and the front bilsteins on the lowest perch

 

[ryanCA]

That's different. If you want to lift the front and run the stock rear springs then you'll need some sort of spacer for the back, or ditch the stock rear springs for longer ones.

If you just want to level the truck, you can do that with the stock rear springs and the front bilsteins on the lowest perch

Thanks Doc.
Yeah I need a bit more lift on mine.

4th perch on front. Debating on the 30mm spacer that is recommended on this thread for rear (to avoid super high a$$) vs doing the bilstein springs on rear.

 

[bloc]

Keep in mind there is more to spring choice than height.

Aftermarket springs generally add some spring rate to allow the truck to handle cargo or trailer in the rear better.. and help handle the increased ride height without adding roll.

 

[ryanCA]

Keep in mind there is more to spring choice than height.

Aftermarket springs generally add some spring rate to allow the truck to handle cargo or trailer in the rear better.. and help handle the increased ride height without adding roll.

Thank you. It seems the regular Bilsteins are the same as the OEM ones, no?


I have on hand both rear Bilstein springs and rear spacer for OEM springs.

I plan to install Thanksgiving, and go with either.