Tips for installing Bilstein 6112?

Assembled mine last night. Swapping them into my truck on Saturday. Decided to go with the 1.9 setting up front and stock height in the rear.

 

On this video, the washers he tossed away are to be used as bump stop extension so you don't damage your shock when at the top two setting.

 

Yea I'll probably add wheelers offroad SuperBumps. I had them on Taco and they were awesome.

 

The SuperBumps collapse to the same height as OEM bump stops, zero net effect on extension. You will still need to add the washers provided by Bilstein.

 

They were added on my install. The video is not of me.

Side note The super bumps dramatically softened the jarring effect of impact when bottoming out in the Tacoma. If they're half as effective on the Tundra I will be very pleased.

 

Got my 11 DC back, yes it was expensive but it had to be done. New Lower arms, cam bolts, ball joints ugh. but the alignment went into spec without a problem and I got my 33"s installed Wildpeak AT3W 275/70/18 . 6112 at top setting, 1" shackle and other supporting drop/spacers ( diff, carrier, bumpstop)

 

Nice! New lower control arms but stock uppers?? Aligned with no issues??

 

Yes it aligned just fine, drives great. I wasn't planning on new lower arms but the shop said the others were ruined during removal of the seized parts. The truck has 145k on it so yeah. I dont think it had spent a night in a garage until I got it back in late June.

 

So after 3 weeks of settling here are my numbers....
Driver side, .25 bro lean
F 22 3/4
R 22 1/2

Passenger side, .25 bro lean
F 22 7/8
R 22 5/8

Overall front lift...2.5 on 3rd setting. Not what I wanted but it looks level...what's everyone's opinion??

 

Looks good to me bro

 

Looks fine but a set of shackles would fix the bro lean and not break the bank.

 

So you went from the 1.9 and took them off again and went up to the next click at the 2.5 setting? Is that how i'm reading it? Factory UCAs?

 

Nope...on the 1.9 setting I got 2.5 inches of lift...yes stock UCA'S..hoping the 2.5 settles closer to 1.9.

 

Here is my truck with 6112's on the highest setting with 2 CB' shims on the driver side and one CB shim on the passenger side, a little over 3" (stock UCA). I also have #2 CB shackles on the rear springs truck is level within an 1/8" on all four corners, which is what I was going for.

 

Did you do a dif drop mod? Looks great!

 

Yes I did do a diff drop, thx.

 

Have you measured on level ground? Reason I ask is because I have yet to find truly level ground to measure from after I installed my 6112s on the 3rd setting. I’ve driven several hundred miles in the 3 weeks or so after installing them and my measurements have ranged from 1.75” to 2.25” depending on the angle of the ground parked on. I always try to measure while parked in as level ground as possible, but even with that I can still discertain a slight enough downward or upward angle that may affect an accurate measurement. I suppose most multi-level parking garages might be considered level enough (with the exception of the ramps, of course), but I haven’t had a chance to park in one yet to take out the measuring tape. Anyway, just thought I’d mention that as a possible factor to take into consideration since your measurements seem to be higher than most at the supposedly 1.9” setting.

 

Looks Bad Ass I’m definitely doing this soon!

 

Update: Waited a few weeks and a few hundred miles for the coils to hopefully settle (which they never did) before getting an alignment. The alignment, though, gave me what I assume are more accurate measurements, albeit lower ones as well. Whereas before the driver’s side was slightly higher than the passenger side by about a 1/4”, now it’s the other way around. Passenger side is now around 2” while driver’s side is now 1 3/4”. I’m disappointed I didn’t get at least 1 7/8” to 2” on the driver side and now wish I would’ve set them at the highest setting to compensate for the eventual coil spring sag that typically occurs over time. Later on I may remove and disassemble them to set them at the highest setting. Too much of a pain to do that again right now in the Texas summer time heat using hand tools in my apartment parking lot, though.

 

Thank you for the very helpful update.

 

I'm thinking of stuffing 37X12.5 in mine. Any thoughts?

 

I'm in the same boat, kind of. I went with the 1.9 setting and got much more than that. I've driven it for a week now and it looks to be settling a bit, but not much. The driver's side also seems to be settling more than the passenger side. I've got positive camber as well. Going to drive it like this for another couple of weeks before I mess with it.

The ride has also been shit at the 1.9 setting. Any bad street, which are a lot in LA, cause a pogo effect. I'm thinking of dropping down to the the 1.3 setting and adding a shim or two on each side. I'm hoping that it softens the ride and still gives me enough clearance to for the 295/70R18 on 18x9 +18 Methods.

 

Weird...while I got more than 1.9 inches on 3rd setting, the ride I think, is much better. Stinks u have had what sounds like a negative experience. I do have to say after an alignment from a chain shop, my camber still seems a bit more positive than I would like....

 

Yea, I'm a little bummed. I thought the ride felt awesome at first, because I hadn't really been on a bad street, but as soon as I started driving it to work, the bounce became noticeable.

I hope the lower spring perch/ less preload on the spring will mitigate the bounce. If not, I'm going to have to look at a different lift.

 

Sorry to hear your ride experience is worse with the 6112s at the 1.9” setting. Do you know how much initial lift you got? Also, have you had a chance to put it in 4wd (assuming yours is a 4x4)?

I noticed an improved difference in ride after I installed mine. I also purposely hit bumps, dips and pot holes in the road (not hard, though) and I put in in 4wd along a dirt road for a few miles to help the coil springs to sag and settle a bit before getting an alignment.

I’m interested in hearing if you can fit 295s at the 1.3” setting (if you decide to drop it down a notch). Please give us a report and post photos when you do.

 

I'm 4x2. Bought it mostly as a tow rig, maybe small trails after I install a locker (when warranty expires).

I have been driving it over bumps and dips to help. I am waiting for everything to settle a little more before I even attempt to mess with it or align it.

I plan on adding two shims on each side if I go down to 1.3". We'll see if it works. I'll definitely report back.

 

@equin I forgot to answer your initial question. I think it was close to almost 3", it was bro leaning pretty hard.

In my excitement to get it done, I didn't measure the base height.

 

Have you guys who are over 2 inches of lift with the 1.9in setting given the truck some nice swerving around to compress the front? I was over 2.5in after install but within about 10 minutes of driving, which included swerving around a bit, it came down to exactly 1.9.

How many clip spots/adjustment points can you see when you peek under there?

 

Mine have settled a little more after almost two weeks, but still over 2" in lift up front. I've done some swerving around, dips, speed bumps, and stuff like that to get them to come down more.

I plan on putting my new wheels and tires on this weekend, so we'll see what the truck looks like and drives like after it's all put together.

I'm on the 3rd circlip, which is the 1.9" setting.

 

I am definitely on the 3rd clip and after about 600 miles and an alignment, I am still over 2 inches...2.25 on driver and and a bit over 2.25 on passenger...all good though. 1.9 is average, I am OK being "above average"...lol