Toytec or Bilstein?

In need of your suggestions guys...

I have a 2011 TRD Sport 2WD. There was no tow package when I bought this, so no towing happening. I would say at most, the bed gets filled only when going camping. Looking to get it leveled, but should I go maybe 1/2" higher at the rear for those camping days?

Should I just do a basic front & rear 5100 upgrade, or go for the Toytec Boss kit (BUL-207AH)? Is the front diff drop necessary for 2WD? How about the UCA's?

Thanks in advance!

 

Won’t need a diff drop, that’s only for 4wd. I have had both kits, I am currently running the boss lift and I love the adjustability. I’m riding at 3.25” in the front currently. I would do the Toytec lift with the add-a-leaf in the rear, it’ll help increase payload capacity by a couple hundred pounds

Bilstein 5100 is good for the price and gets you lifted without hurting ride quality too much. Just my opinion but both ride stiff (and even rough at times) but Toytec boss rates just a little bit higher in ride quality

 

What’s your budget and planned usage

 

Thanks for the quick replies guys. This forum is literally a 24/7 customer service!

My truck is mainly just a daily driver with the occasional camping and hiking trips. Looking to do a leveling at the minimum, and not much lift if anything (due to driving the parents around once in a while).

I'm trying to keep budget as little as possible, since I just got a new wheelset. I'd probably say budget with labor included would be around 2500. I could go a little higher, but again prefer to keep it low if possible.

 

I went through this same analysis, and talked to Toytec directly. Living in IL, they said that the BOSS system would not hold up for me; I would have problems with salt and winter, and it would require a lot of maintenance.

I ended up going the Bilstein 6112/5160 route. Should have a better ride than the 5100s, as well as more performance capability, without breaking the bank.

 

My uncle just purchased a 2019 and last week we went thru the same thoughts at least he did.....I convinced him to buy the 6112 and 5160 with 3 shims from coachbuilder as well as shackles +3

 

As I started reading this I was going to suggest the same thing as the two posts above. 6112/5160.

 

I wrapped my Toytec boss lift with vinyl wrap to add a little bit of protection. Just an idea if you’re worried about them building up oxidation and rusting out

 

OP, you should be able to accomplish your goal with plenty of cash to spare. I think the 6112/5160 recommendation by others above is the max I would spend if I were you, if you can find that kit anywhere. It tends to be on backorder a lot.

A few months ago I was in pretty much exactly the same predicament as you. I'm in a similar climate, use my truck kind of like you, and had a similar budget. I went overboard in my opinion, spending nearly $2k on a Radflo 2.5 kit, trying to heed the 'buy once, cry once' advice of many people on here. If I had to do it again, I'd have probably bought the Boss kit, maybe even just 5100s. Toytec recommended the Boss kit to me, the few times that I talked directly with them. Interestingly, they never mentioned climate/salty roads as a reason not to get that kit.

 

I’m doing the 6112/5160 combo right now. It’s at the shop as we speak. I’m excited to get it back. We ran into some troubles with my UCAs and tie rods being in rough shape and seized up. I’m guessing that was from years of salt and grime of Ohio roads. I am putting the 6112 on the 2.5” setting and a 2” block on the rear to retain the rake. Hope to have it back in a day or two.

 

What is rake? I see it in a lot of discussions, but never knew what it meant? Searching online didn't help much. Something to do with angle?

 

It's the ass sitting higher than the nose so when you put shit in the bed it levels out (how it comes from the factory).

I would go with the bilsteins, if you're gonna spend more I would upgrade beyond Toytec since there are lots of documented cases of premature failure from them, but from the sounds of your usage bilsteins will be fine.

 

I put Bilstein 5100's front and back on my 07 GMC Sierra. I think it was about 450 for the shocks and 50 to put have the spring moved from the old front struts to the new. Way under your 2500 budget. The ride was great. I was very pleased with the 5100's performance. I felt that they had just the right amount of stiff vs plush ride. I left the fronts at the stock ride height and did not try leveling by moving the ring up.

 

How much difference is there from a 6612/5160 setup vs all 5100s like this...

 

The 6112 is a heavier duty coilover than the 5100/toytec ultimate. It will perform better in demanding conditions. If you're considering the Ultimate kit, why not go with this from Boss 4x4s?

https://boss4x4s.com/stock_complete_bossed_out_6112_5100_3_1_kit_boss_4x4s_shackles

It includes the 6112s, which are better than the Ultimate fronts, and also the adjustable Toytec shackle for the rear instead of the block that comes with the Ultimate. All for the same money as the Ultimate. You could upgrade the Ultimate to include the shackle, but then you'd be spending almost $1,400.

 

The 6112 is a larger diameter shock than the 5100. I have heard a lot of feedback that the 6112s ride better on and off road.

I have been contemplating this same set of choices for a while, but recently I began reading more about the Falcon shocks. They are made by Teraflex who until recently only made Jeep lift systems. They have now started making shocks for trucks, including the Tundra that will give you 2" - 2.5" of lift in front. They are very new and not many people on here have them yet, so if you go that route you'd be in largely uncharted territory. I think one or two members have them and the feedback I've seen so far is very positive but limited. They are about $1,400 for the non adjustable set and about $1,500 for the ones that have adjustable rear shocks for towing or hauling.

A few things that really caught my attention and have swayed my decision toward Falcon is that they have a 3 year warranty and they are tested for 1,000 hours in a salt spray test. I live in the Northeast so salt is a real issue here and I recently saw a post from someone in a different thread who had a badly rusted 5160 from only 1 winter in Boston.

 

Should the UCA's be upgraded? Does this depend on how much lift is done? I'm seeing these UCA options for the Toytec BOSS and Ultimate kits, but not in the Boss 4x4 kit that was suggested. Might have to go one of these routes if the 6112/5160 is always backordered. I'll be buying from a local shop, so I'll have to see what he has available.

 

autoanything had a few sets available still last week

 

Sorry, meant to say I'll be getting it from the shop that will be doing the install. Are new UCA's needed?

 

I've been driving and building Toyota's (FJ's and 4runners) for awhile. I am very happy with my Tundra with Bilstein 6112's up front @ 1.9" and @Coachbuilder1 +2 shackles out back. No new UCA. Rides and drives great.

 

Nice how’s your ride? I like the rear shocks you have with the reservoir but man those red springs are nice!! Makes it hard to choose between those and the Bilstien lol

 

If I get some for mine here soon I will powder coat them red or see if they make them in red but with the 6112s

 

3" is kind of the line where new UCAs become necessary. If you're only lifting the front 2"-2.5" you'll probably be fine with the stockers.

 

Mine is fine at 2.75 with 5100s all around....they have been on for about a year now but will be upgraded to 6112s in a few months

 

Post some pictures if you do get them in red or powder coat them

 

700 lb coil springs are stiff af lol. But the rear rides fantastic especially with the icon progressive AAL

 

Really so if I’m not putting any winch in the front maybe a bumper down the road you think 650lb is the way to go?
What’s Icon progressives AAL?

 

Well I’m 2wd and not running a bumper so it’s excessive for me, but if you’re adding weight to the front then 700 lb springs would be the way to go. The icon progressive AAL is actually a small spring pack that replaces 2 of your stock leaf springs with 3 new leaf springs and changes the spring rate of your leaf springs