Bilstein Shocks and Struts

Hi,
My first time so please be gentle.
I have a 2008 Limited 5.7 which is stock apart from the rear air bags the previous owner had fitted to tow his trailer and boat. I want to use the truck more for off road, mainly on gravel, semi-rough and sand tracks.
I have seen lots of information regarding changing out the struts and shocks and have settled on the Bilstein 6112/5160 combination. I don't want to change the rear springs but I would like to create a slight lift in order to fit 33 inch tires on 18 inch factory steel rims.
I have three questions: Firstly what height setting would I need to set the front struts at to create the lift for 33 inch tires? Second would I need to add anything to the rear suspension to maintain the rake of the truck? Third and last I want the narrowest 33 inch tires that will fit on the 18x8 factory rims. I would like to fit BFG All-Terrain TA K02's. What size would they be?
Many thanks in anticipation.
Tack

 

275/70r18 = 33.2"

2.5" front lift, none needed in rear, truck will sit level.

 

WELCOME

 

You can fit the 275/70r18 at stock height. A guy at work has a 2012 CM with them. 2.5 can possibly look nose high. I'm at 2” and sometimes it looks nose high. If you decide to lift the rear, look into some daystar cradles for your air bags. It helps the rearend articulate and not risk tearing a bag. Best way to lift is replacing the leafs with lifted springs. Or you can get it an add-a-leaf which can sometimes stiffen up the ride but they work well with load. Next would be extended shackles these are really nice because they give you a little nicer ride from what I’ve heard. Also you get to replace the bushings for something better, polyurethane. After that would be a lifting block. All in that order, in my eyes. To my understanding, shackles and blocks can contribute to premature leaf sag.

Search for any of these terms on the site and come to your own conclusion. Lots of lifting threads here. Budget maters lol!

Welcome from SoCal!

 

Welcome from NY.

 

I think there's guys running 33s on the 2nd setting at 1.9 inches on here. I may be wrong. If that's the case, he can get away with leaving the rear stock probably.

 

Not necessarily. Every truck is different. I was slightly nose high with a procomp 3/1 kit. Ditched it for icon coil overs with an AAL and CB#2 in rear. Much better.
Used this add a leaf
https://www.suspensionconnection.com/85750-tundra-add-a-leafs.html

 

Check out this thread. @nowayout has a great setup imo.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/6112-setting-and-tire-wheel-combo-thread.23699/

 

You can easily fit 275/70/18s (33.2") at stock height with possible minimal rubbing on the front little flap behind the bumper while turning in reverse. That little flap is easy to remove, though.

 

Many thanks for the replies so far.
Unfortunately my budget will not stretch to new rear springs so I think the extended shackles are the way to go unless there is an add-a-spring option similar in price to new shackles. While I am fitting new shackles or add-a-springs would it be wise to change out the spring bushings for polyurethane and, if so who makes poly bushings for the Tundra stock springs? Google seems a little vague on this.
The project overall will take me a few months working at weekends so the Daystar cradles will be the next modification.
Once again many thanks,
Tack

 

call @Coachbuilder1 he will set you up. https://shop-coachbuilder.myshopify.com/

 

Install Coach Builder +1 shackle, gives a nice ride and lifts the rear up 3/4”.
Installed mine a few weeks ago very happy with the results. I am running 275/70R18

 

Thats only 3/4” of lift in the rear? Stock pro setup in the front, no shims?

If so, that’s pretty good for having a shell on the back. Maybe the road is uneven? My pro setup has me looking level and sometimes nose high. Didn’t think 3/4” would get me to where your truck sits.

 

Welcome from East TN!

 

Yes that is a 3/4" in the rear. Running Pro suspension gives you a lift of 2.5" in the front. Gives you no lift in the rear. I replace the OEM leaf spring with Alcan leaf spring build 500 lbs over capacity. I have a constant load of the bed all the time, plus I was getting some squatting with OEM springs. CB +1 shackles raised the rear end a bit. Next year I will be replacing the suspension with either Kings or ADS shocks.

 

I’m running BFG All-Terrain TA K02's 275/70r18 with 6112 at the 1.3 (2nd on bottom)

Sits almost level with a tad of rake.

Nothing but 5160s in back

 

Ok the Alcans raised it a little bit too. And I’m pretty sure you only get 2 inches from the pro suspension. Or 1.9 LOL I got about 2 inches when I put it on my truck.

 

Right it's only 2" I was thinking an aftermarket, been reading to much about kings and ADS which give you a 2.5" lift.

 

This is great stuff.
What are the pros and cons of add-a-leaf over extended shackles or vice versa? Also any ideas on the poly spring bushings?
Tack

 

Add-a-leaf (AAL) usually provides a stiffer ride, depending on its thickness, overall length and curvature. They also help increase the suspension’s payload a bit (but the payload capacity for the frame, axle, diff, etc., remains the same).

Shackles don’t usually stiffen the ride, but they don’t increase payload, either. Some claim they may also prematurely wear the leaf spring pack’s spring rate over time (premature sagging), depending on how much lift they provide. The greater the lift, the more preload on the packs and theoretically the greater the risk of premature sagging.

FWIW, I have no experience with shackle lifts, but have installed AALs on a few trucks. The ride became noticeably stiffer in each case.

 

Darn that is a good looking rig (except for all the cold and snow). Cement color is awesome.

 

How does the leaf spring swap affect the road and highway ride?

 

5100s on bottom setting 275/70r 18 no lift in back

 

Here is a thread I starting on why I replaced my OEM leaf springs. I get into a fair amount of detail. PM if you have some more questions.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/trd-pro-squatting.24995/#post-598677

 

Thanks brother. Still a work in progress. Once you start modding it’s hard to stop.

 

No doubt! Joined here right after I moved from 2006 DC to the '17 CM. Didn't do any mods for the first year. Now, every time I check the forum it costs me a C-Note, if not a grand.

 

I'll be keeping an eye out for a "for sale" post of TRD pro suspension then next year

 

Going to be awhile

 

Tack
Feel free to give me a call and will gladly go over any option you're considering. We've done them all and at least can share what to plan on for lift amounts, tire sizes and over all goal. David 801-635-4872

 

Hi,
Had a wonderful chat with Dave from Ekstrom Design today. Thanks not only to his experience and insight but all the help and encouragement expressed in this thread I finally have a game plan.
Many thanks,
Tack