Installing 6112/5160 need help

I picked up Bilstein 6112/5160 and I am preparing to install myself. I think I misunderstood what the 5160s will do.

1. I thought that they provide 1.5” lift over stock but I’ve been reading that to get the lift, I still need shackles, is that correct?

2. I have also been reading that shims will correct the lean, but most run 2 on driver and 1 on the other. Why not 1 and none? Is it for the added 1/4” lift?

3. I have 285/75r17s on Icon Vectors +25. Will the added 1/4” be needed. The 6112 are set at 1.9.
TIA

 

Regarding #1, the 5160's have the capability to do so because of longer travel but you need an actual shackle, block, or new leaf springs to actually raise the rear end by that much.

 

Re 2, I installed one shim on driver and none on passenger. Nothing wrong with that. I didn’t care about the extra height, just wanted to even it out.

can’t help on the tires. My 275/70 18 only rubbed the stock “skid plate/splash guard but I removed the front mud flap and air spat for looks.

 

I have my 6112s set at 1.9” with no shims and run 285/75/17s on Icon Rebounds with no rub. I also have 5160s out back.

As you noted, rear shocks don’t cause lift. You need shackles, blocks, an add-a-leaf or a new leaf spring pack to add lift. The 5160s are designed to work with 0-1.5” of lift. Beyond that, you may over extend them and cause damage.

 

I have 1 shim on the left, none on the right. Even that 1 might have been unnecessary because the difference was only 0.25".

 

Any lift in the rear is done wirh either:
1- lift shackles
2- lift blocks
3- New leaf springs with lift built in

The shocks do not provide any lift. The numbers you see associated wirh a rear shock are the amount of lift, above stock, they are capable of handling.

 

Finished the install about 90 minutes ago. Killer in this N Texas heat. But it looks great IMO. SPC UCAs, Bilstein 6112 at 1.9 and 5160s. Last pic, where it’s circled is the drivers side rub. Haven’t fully inspected. Waiting until after the alignment.

 

Those front mudflaps stick out a good amount, you can remove them and it doesn't look like anything was there.

 

Your very right, I did remove those actually. That was the rear.

 

Nice!!!

 

Did this install with my pop and he wondered if the SPC ball joint would slide since is doesn’t lock into place. Anyone have this happen?

 

I have done SPC UCAs on my wife's 4runner and I was curious too...it's been 5 months and 5k miles and it's staying put...I hope it (they) stays "locked" in place!

 

On my THIRD alignment. The adjustability of the UCA seems to be throwing everyone off, not understanding that they need to factor that into adjusting the Castor. I am getting worn out by this. Sorry for the vent.

 

Where are you bringing it to get done? I wound up finding a mom/pop chassis shop that does old school alignments. My truck never drove better after numerous attempts at franchise wheel and tire places.

 

At a place that was recommended... we will see

 

Good luck! 4th times a charm...right?

 

Man, this lift looks great. Well done! Hoping that 4th alignment does the trick!

 

Thanks for the compliment, but no... the current alignment still didn't get it. It might be close enough to manage for a while. Calling SPC on Monday to ask if they have a place in DFW that they supply - will try going that route.

 

What are they having trouble with? The way it’s aligned is no different than with stock uca.

 

From the SPC website: "Get your drivability and tracking back: When you lift your truck you affect caster and camber. SPC’s arms have +1° of caster built into them. Using its patented ball joint design the arm will get you 0° to +4° of caster and ±2° of camber, so you can put your alignmnet angles back to specification."

The adjustments are made with these:

 

Thank you

 

Do what I did.

Find the closest reputable lift install shop, and take it where ever they send lifts they do.

Cost me a fortune (about $800 with parts) due to frozen LCA cam adjustment bolts that had to be cut out and replaced, but they saved my LCA's from also having to be cut off and replaced, and lubed the shit out of the new bolts where Toyota installs them dry, which causes them to weld together. I did 6112s with CB shims 2/1 for 3in total lift with SPC UCA'S also.

Good luck!

 

ironically, that is what I did and still didn’t get the rig aligned, lol.

 

Well that sucks ass.

Very sorry to hear that man!

Maybe try another one?

Certainly ask them if any of the adjustments are frozen, as they may all need to be moved. Did you set the UCA ball joints to the proper setting, or just straight on, or?

My shop also got me almost exact specs I asked for, guess I got lucky.

 

2020 with 5k miles, so nothing is frozen. Set the ball joint to a or d, forget which. The name faces the rear of the truck.

 

Good your truck is new.

But my shop said they have seen it on brand new and 1 year old trucks even, take that for what it's worth.

As far as which setting to put the SPCs on, I can't proclaim to know for your setup, sorry can't help more there. Mine required name facing out to the side flat.

Good luck and let us known how it goes

 

Why are you replacing the UCAs ? Just curious. The stock UCAs with that setup should work fine and not be over extended from what i was told. Im about to do the same install soon but leave the OEM UCAs. What did they run you if you dont mind me asking?

 

Heavier duty for offroad. Ironically, align lifted trucks better and better range of motion.

I grabbed the SPCs from Amazon.
Specialty Products Company 25490 Control Arm

$750 SPC Specialty Products Toyota Tundra Adjustable Upper Control Arms (PR) - 25490

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A393YC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GvPcFbEJ94349