Bilstein 6112/5160 Installed

[Trusty Rusty]

Just got the rig back from the shop after the suspension overhaul and 6112/5160 bilstein installation.

The job included installation of the following:
1. 6112 Bilstein front struts at 3rd circlip from the bottom. Theoretical lift of 1.8inches
2. 5160 struts and standard load Bilstein springs. Theoretical lift 1.75inches.
3. New OEM upper control arms
4. New OEM lower control arms
5. Dr. KDSS bolt panhard correction bracket
6. New front sway bar end links
7. New front and rear sway bar bushings
8. New passenger inner and outer tie rod(this was a “while we’re in there thing” as the driver side was done a few months ago.
9. Fresh oil and filter change.

The only hiccup is that the vsc and psc error lights and abs lights are on but my shop told me it just needs to get recalibrated with techstream after the alignment. Sending the car to an alignment shop tomorrow morning. Curious to know if anyone else came across this issue.

I have been anxious over how the car was gonna ride with the bilstein setup. I knew the digressive valving was going to make slow speed bumps more noticeable. Happy to report that the car’s handling feels tighter and more controlled expecting it to only get better after the alignment. The nose dive is GONE, body roll at slow speeds is less pronounced. Shocks are well damped, evident front how it recovers after speed bumps. At slow speed concrete expansion joints and road to driveway transitions are slightly more noticeable but not as bad as I feared. The upsides of the valving (better control and handling) outweighs the drawback. Need more time behind the wheel after the alignment for a good feel. Loving how it drives but even more so how it looks.

I’ll take hub to fender measurement and post before and after later. Here’s some before after shots. This thread helped me a lot make the decision on setup. Thank you all.

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New setup looks excellent @amitbh234 ! Really nice work - did you figure out what was triggering the warning lights? Able to achieve alignment specs within factory recommendations on the 3rd clip height using new factory UCA's? Helping my neighbor tackle a full refresh on their earlier 200 and thinking the 6112/5160 combo is the ticket (likely combo'd with new OEM UCA and LCA's due to the high mileage). Good info on the rear coils also - was kicking around the Bilsteins coils vs. OME 2720 or 2721, and may just stick with the Bilsteins and keep it simple. Appreciate the earlier links/info on the rear panhard correction bracket also, wasn't on my list initially. Thanks!

 

[amitbh234]

New setup looks excellent @amitbh234 ! Really nice work - did you figure out what was triggering the warning lights? Able to achieve alignment specs within factory recommendations on the 3rd clip height using new factory UCA's? Helping my neighbor tackle a full refresh on their earlier 200 and thinking the 6112/5160 combo is the ticket (likely combo'd with new OEM UCA and LCA's due to the high mileage). Good info on the rear coils also - was kicking around the Bilsteins coils vs. OME 2720 or 2721, and may just stick with the Bilsteins and keep it simple. Appreciate the earlier links/info on the rear panhard correction bracket also, wasn't on my list initially. Thanks!

Great to hear some TLC going in another 200. These things deserve it. I’ll be able to confirm after Tuesday. I asked my alignment shop to get as close to 3.0 caster as possible but they took that as gospel and got the caster to 3.0 but left positive camber. I’ll be going back to my shop to address the sensor calibration and then for an alignment correction Tuesday. I’ll likely post on my build thread. Feel free to follow along there.

After the suspension refresh the rig drives like a dream. I’ll be honest though I switched out from E to SL load range tires and they transform the ride. Much more compliant over small bumps at low speeds and you get all the handling goodness from the digressive valving from the bilsteins at low speeds.

 

[amitbh234]

Here are my readings of hub to fender measurements before and after. I went went 3rd circlip. I was expecting more of a rake going with the 3rd circlip but I really like how it looks now. A slight factory rake for when the back is loaded up but I do expect the fronts to settle and lose a 1/4 or so. Overall got ~2in in the front and ~1.6 inch in the back(I have the 3rd row seats also). Really glad I didn’t go with the 4th circlip, I think I’d have a negative rake.

Before:

Front passenger: 20

Front driver: 19 5/8

Rear passenger: 21 1/8

Rear Driver: 21 1/8


Predicted after (based on research on ih8mud)

Front passenger: 22

Front driver: 21 5/8

Rear passenger: 23 1/8

Rear Driver: 23 1/8


Actual after

Front passenger: 22 1/4

Front driver: 22

Rear passenger: 22 1/2

Rear Driver: 22 3/4

 

[amitbh234]

Just got my alignment done after the suspension settled a bit. What do you guys think of the alignment figures post settling? specifically the caster camber tradeoff and rear right toe

As you can see the rear right toe at -0.25 is this cause for concern? Got three alignments in the last two months and the rear right toe has been between -0.24 to -0.26. I know it’s not adjustable but not sure what could be causing this. Car drives straight both on the highway and streets.

Here are my hub to fender measurements after settling:

Front passenger: 21 1/2
Front driver: 21 5/8

Rear passenger: 22 1/2
Rear Driver: 23

 

[Heckraiser]

I prefer camber be at 0, and if it's not 0, it should be slightly negative rather than slightly positive. Better for handling/roadholding and wont wear your outer tire edge if you do a lot of canyon carving, lol. Caster seems OK for the lift with stock arms.

RR toe could be a bent suspension arm, bent axle housing, trashed bushings or wheel bearing. If it's consistent across multiple alignments, my money is on bent LCA (just because they're easier to bend and not notice than the axle housing).

 

[Boston Mangler]

I prefer camber be at 0, and if it's not 0, it should be slightly negative rather than slightly positive. Better for handling/roadholding and wont wear your outer tire edge if you do a lot of canyon carving, lol. Caster seems OK for the lift with stock arms.

RR toe could be a bent suspension arm, bent axle housing, trashed bushings or wheel bearing. If it's consistent across multiple alignments, my money is on bent LCA (just because they're easier to bend and not notice than the axle housing).

Before making any drastic changes, I’d get a second opinion if possible.

The Firestone’s around here are subpar at best and very inconsistent

My local one told me “oh, this is a 4x4 and a lot more complicated and we will need it overnight” ummm, no…

 

[thatLC200]

I put my 6112/5160's to the test yesterday. After the Dove Opener, we went plinking north of Winterhaven, California. Going in and out of our remote, impromptu shooting range, we ran up and down dry washes and dirt roads. With three people onboard and a good 300 pounds of cargo, and 106 degree temperatures, we comfortably saw 60 mph plus on the dirt roads and 40-50 mph in the deep sand and rutted dry washes, caught air one time in one of the washes. The ride was composed and comfortable, the shocks never faded. We then jumped on the freeway and headed back to San Diego with the cruise control set to 80 mph. The 200 Series and the 6112/5160's performed great (much better than I did with the doves).

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I know this is an old post, but can you tell me what rear coils you were running?

 

[Napili9]

How do you like the ride with perch 3 and the SL rated falkens? This is where I might end up as well. Your recent comment made me think you might not be liking the setup/stiffness.

I drove the rig on some gravel roads and to and from a lake on the highway. Forgot how nice the stock setup is on long drives and how nicely it soaks up the small bumps. I drive mostly pavement and most of my complaints with the suspension (complaint is a strong word) is with the body roll during in the inner neighborhood roads and generally wallowing behavior. On the highway it’s buttery smooth.

What tire size you running? Getting mine installed today. Was gonna do it myself but have zero time.

 

[Napili9]

 

[amitbh234]

What tire size you running? Getting mine installed today. Was gonna do it myself but have zero time.

285/65/R18 Wildpeaks SL load rating

 

[HemiAlex]

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.

I just ordered my lift kit.

47-311145 front lift kit.
25-311419 rear shock
25-311402 rear shock

I’m going to use the front to level the truck and try to run stock rear springs in the back.

I’ll get a 5,10,15mm spacers for the rear coil to make it sit right.

Shooting for a 22” front and 22.5” rear. I haven’t measured it yet.

I’m at 350,000 miles and these are the before pics.

 

[HemiAlex]

I just ordered my lift kit.

47-311145 front lift kit.
25-311419 rear shock
25-311402 rear shock

I’m going to use the front to level the truck and try to run stock rear springs in the back.

I’ll get a 5,10,15mm spacers for the rear coil to make it sit right.

Shooting for a 22” front and 22.5” rear. I haven’t measured it yet.

I’m at 350,000 miles and these are the before pics.

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I need to read back and figure out what to set the front perch at. Just want to add the 10mm to the rear and level the truck front to rear.

Fronts came from rock auto and the rear shocks came from summit racing.

 

[dudemancool1904]

Well after 1.5 years of ownership and nearly 30k miles covered across the southwest/pacwest on stock suspension I finally bit the bullet. Found a pair of 5160 rears in stock at tire rack of all places, got them under MSRP next day thanks to their Reno warehouse. And took advantage of Santa Claus aka @turbo8 passing on his deals and steals with a great price on a 6112 front kit. Lastly scored some practically new Bilstein rear springs from the man, myth, legend @Boston Mangler.

Plan is to go with perch #3 up front, some new aftermarket uppers (my upper ball joints are skunked, I rode this truck HARD at JV this year), and a DR KDSS BOTCK bracket. Hope to get everything installed next week.

 

[Dixon Santana]

Clip setting #5 with OME 2722 rear springs for reference.

2722 OME - A bit on the stiff side. Drawers should alleviate that in the future.

Do yourself a favor and purchase a set of large metric ratcheting wrenches for the rear upper shock mounts.

285/75R17 Toyo AT3, no rub. Slight trim to front mud guards. Small air dams in front of the tire are still attached.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Do yourself a favor and purchase a set of large metric ratcheting wrenches for the rear upper shock mounts.

I strongly second this!

Not even sure how it would be done without them

 

[dudemancool1904]

got everything installed and aligned today. Went with perch #3, Bilstein standard duty rear springs, and aftermarket uppers. First reaction is wow this feels tight. Like German car tight like my old M5. Soaks up the small bumps. No more brake dive. Steering feels a little tighter at low speeds, guessing that’s a product of the caster? I’m gonna take it in to my regular alignment guy for a nut/bolt check in a few hundred miles just to see what’s what. Gonna try for a half day in the desert on Saturday but so far so good. This should have been the “TRD” option from the factory. With E codes it’s definitely on the firmer side, I feel like with a C or D or an SL it would ride perfectly.

 

[Boston Mangler]

With E codes it’s definitely on the firmer side, I feel like with a C or D or an SL it would ride perfectly.

Agree 100%

 

[dudemancool1904]

Did a quick nut and bolt check and took her down the local 5 mile washboard dirt road (proctor valley). Night and day difference from stock. So happy with how this turned out.

Came back and took measurements for the rear track bar and ordered the @drkdss correction bracket. Shout out to Dom, I ordered around 11:30 this morning, got a shipping confirmation this afternoon and should have it tomorrow.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Did a quick nut and bolt check and took her down the local 5 mile washboard dirt road (proctor valley). Night and day difference from stock. So happy with how this turned out.

Came back and took measurements for the rear track bar and ordered the @drkdss correction bracket. Shout out to Dom, I ordered around 11:30 this morning, got a shipping confirmation this afternoon and should have it tomorrow.

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Now maybe you can save up some money and get some black lug nuts, fawwwwwwk

 

[drmwvr]

Did a quick nut and bolt check and took her down the local 5 mile washboard dirt road (proctor valley). Night and day difference from stock. So happy with how this turned out.

Came back and took measurements for the rear track bar and ordered the @drkdss correction bracket. Shout out to Dom, I ordered around 11:30 this morning, got a shipping confirmation this afternoon and should have it tomorrow.

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Did a quick nut and bolt check and took her down the local 5 mile washboard dirt road (proctor valley). Night and day difference from stock. So happy with how this turned out.

Came back and took measurements for the rear track bar and ordered the @drkdss correction bracket. Shout out to Dom, I ordered around 11:30 this morning, got a shipping confirmation this afternoon and should have it tomorrow.

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Tire size?