Next Step after Leveling

My truck has the adjustable 5100 Bilstein Shocks on the front and rear with the front set on the middle setting. I want to possibly get a little more lift and maybe change my tires to get a little bit beefier look. It is leveled but sometimes it looks like it has a rear rake since I have the camper top. Looking for options to get another inch or so of lift without having to change steering components or ruin the geometry of the front end. My tires are 275/70/18 on stock TRD wheels. Should I just move to top setting in the front and add a block in the rear?

Thanks

 

With the camper shell on, if you put the fronts to the top setting you will be nose high.

Doesn’t look like you have any rake.

If you touch the front, you’ll probably have to address the rear with something in the 2” range to keep it level.

FYI on the set up you have you can fit 285/75/18 (35x11) on those OEM wheels and gain a much beefier look.

Maybe do the tires first before tearing apart front and rear suspensions.

Just for reference…
285/75/18 factory wheels (same offset and size as yours) 5100 middle setting.

 

Looks fine to me just as it is.

 

I currently have 5100's in the front on the top setting and 1 1/2 blocks in back left over from previous owner. Truck sits level.
With a camper top start at 2" blocks or shackles. I have the same size tires and could surely fit taller tires.

ETA: Not a PRO it's a SR5

 

I think it looks great! Seems perfectly level.

 

I've been weighing my options for the rear and I'd say do an Icon or Deaver "expansion pack" for the rear leafs. A full leaf replacement would be ideal but it comes at 2.5 - 3 times the cost of the expansion pack. A block will not do your ride quality or ability to carry weight any favors. If you can shell out the $300 for either of the packs I mentioned I think it'll be the best bang for your buck. I did a Headstrong 3 Leaf AAL on my Tacoma (also on 5100s) and it rode great.

 

I would put something like the Road Active helper springs in the back. That will help with the sag from the camper shell. It should raise the back about an inch and give you better suspension performance with the extra weight. Then if you want to raise the front end to level it, you can go with top hat spacers (above the coilover top hat).

At that point you should add UCAs to correct caster and camber. Either way you will need an alignment.

 

Chiming in w/what others have said here...

I think the truck (as it sits currently looks really good)

You can fill the wheel well with more tire and then bump to the higher setting up front if you need more clearance, but then you'll be back to where you're at with 'space' in the wheel well.

If you raise the front, you'll need to bring the rear up as well to maintain level. But, I wouldn't put a block in there as they generally ride like shit. So, in not changing out springs, etc if you want it higher, just go highest setting on the fronts and add RAS to the back. If you decide later to come back down in the front, you can adjust the RAS accordingly, and if you tow or load the bed periodically the RAS will help with that as well.

All that being said, something to keep in mind is this... The more you raise, the less stability you will have when cornering and braking (certainly not unsafe or anything, just reduced performance). The larger you move up in tire size, the more weight and stress you add to the system (brakes, bearings, etc...). Also, the higher you lift, the further you push the rest of the suspension to its limits in terms of alignment geometry (travel, alignment specs, etc...)

So, unless you're looking to swap suspension components to gain more height (coilovers, rear shocks, leaf springs, UCAs, etc.), and do it right, I'd keep any more adjustments to a minimum, enjoy the current set up, and then as components wear look toward doing a full suspension upgrade.