just installed Bilstein 6112, rear setup is the issue...

[hunterD1]

hey guys i need your input on this,
so recently i installed the Bilstein 6112's at top notch, my rear set up is Toytec 2" Superflex's with Bilstein 5100's.. now the front is higher by about 1", have been reading on how rear Bilstein's 5100 suck... i want to change my set up for the rear because the ride is a bit stiff
Question? i'm thinking of doing the icon rear shocks with icon 3" springs, any issues? what else do i need? thanks in advance

 

[Bumbo]

I have 3 rings showing, I think that is 1 down from the tallest... I have a 2" OME spring in the rear, and the 4Runner sits almost perfectly level. Its actually a hair taller in the rear so when loaded its literally perfect. Just the way I wanted it. I actually like a little rake when completely empty.

I already feel like I am on the brink of where the CV angle should be... yours must be pretty intense. You should post up some pictures. You really don't want to run into issues here.

Are you running upper control arms? I have the stock arms, but the tallest notch seems like too much. You might need it for alignment going that high.

Personally I would lower the front before raising the rear. I know it sucks, but that's the route I would take.

Those 3" ICON coils are also for some serious weight handling... you may not like the ride if you unless ur hauling around a persistent load. It is a dual rate / progressive spring so it might be ok.

 

[Morphyne]

I have heard the metaltech4x4 makes a pretty neat progressive rate spring if you are worried about comfort.

 

[pearlj10]

Bimbo is correct about the Icon 3" springs having way to stiff of a spring rate for applications w/o bumper, fridge, etc. the MTs might even be too stiff if you do not run a lot of weight in the back. The All-Pro 3.5" springs have a much softer spring rate (15% over stock), but not sure if you really want that much rear lift? If so, you will definitely need longer rear shocks. There just aren't many good options for a 0ff the shelf 3" lift with a spring rate that isn't designed for heavy expedition rigs.

 

[Inv4drZm]

My Metaltech 3" coil rides great on road without any extra weight in the rear.

 

[Bumbo]

Bimbo is correct about the Icon 3" springs having way to stiff of a spring rate for applications w/o bumper, fridge, etc. the MTs might even be too stiff if you do not run a lot of weight in the back. The All-Pro 3.5" springs have a much softer spring rate (15% over stock), but not sure if you really want that much rear lift? If so, you will definitely need longer rear shocks. There just aren't many good options for a 0ff the shelf 3" lift with a spring rate that isn't designed for heavy expedition rigs.

haha... its Bumbo dude. You are going to make me regret choosing this handle if it sticks haha.

Going back to your point about jacking up the vehicle even higher... Based on my research, it seems like once you go past 2" it seems to start becoming pretty application specific... plus its not hard to find yourself in that next price bracket... it really just depends on what you want to do with it.

I still think you are better off lowering the front... I don't know... I am only speculating based on what I see with my own rig. I cant get my caster to spec, its boarder line... any higher and I'm pretty sure I need UCA. I just wasn't ready to go there yet.

How do your CV angles look?
Have you tried getting it aligned yet?
Do you need UCA?

Just for visual reference... here is mine with the 6112 with the notch setup like in the picture above. Rear is OME 2" 2895 (260 lb spring rate) .

Completely empty...
Fronts measure (center of wheel to fender) 23"
Rear measure (center of wheel to finder) 24"

It levels out with my full load out... I would estimate 200-300 lb? The cooler, gas, and water on the hitch mounted carrier is off axle too.

Personally I am pretty damn happy with the 6112 setup the way they are and I've used mind in all sorts of terrain. I am running 5100s in the rear, and I do plan on upgrading soon.

 

[pearlj10]

Damn auto-correct, sorry about that Bumbo.:happens:

 

[hunterD1]

thanks a lot for the great info guys, the Bilstein 6112's in front was a pain to assemble.... i guess ill have to suck it up and lower a notch, forgot to tell you my specs im not 4WD its only 2WD.
I'm still pondering on ditching my rear setup and getting maybe the icon shocks and springs but the 2" not 3".

 

[alia176]

thanks a lot for the great info guys, the Bilstein 6112's in front was a pain to assemble.... i guess ill have to suck it up and lower a notch, forgot to tell you my specs im not 4WD its only 2WD.
I'm still pondering on ditching my rear setup and getting maybe the icon shocks and springs but the 2" not 3".

It seems like there are some choices when it comes to 2" rear springs:


Eibach T12 - 1.5", 200 lb/in, 12% over stock
OME 895E - 2", 260 lb/in
MetalTech - 3", progressives. 300 lb/in on the main spring,
Toytech superflex - 2" 198 lb/in, 10% over stock
OEM (toyota) - 180 lb/in
Icon - 2", website says "slightly higher rate than stock"

 

[Bumbo]

It seems like there are some choices when it comes to 2" rear springs:


Eibach T12 - 1.5", 200 lb/in, 12% over stock
OME 895E - 2", 260 lb/in
MetalTech - 3", progressives. 300 lb/in on the main spring,
Toytech superflex - 2" 198 lb/in, 10% over stock
OEM (toyota) - 180 lb/in
Icon - 2", website says "slightly higher rate than stock"

Just some corrections / additional info.

OME 895E - 1.5" 260lb/in
OME 895 - 2" 260 in/lb
OME 896 - 2" 318 in/lb (330lbs of extra equipment at all times)

ICON #52700 - 2" 200 in/lb (per phone conversation with them)
ICON #52800 - 3" Dual Rate / Progressive 200/300 inch/lb

I have not tried their Overland series coil but being a progressive rate spring, you might be able to get away with that as well.

All the other springs are linear so you would need to load them correctly right out of the gate.

 

[hunterD1]

Just some corrections / additional info.

OME 895E - 1.5" 260lb/in
OME 895 - 2" 260 in/lb
OME 896 - 2" 318 in/lb (330lbs of extra equipment at all times)

ICON #52700 - 2" 200 in/lb (per phone conversation with them)
ICON #52800 - 3" Dual Rate / Progressive 200/300 inch/lb

I have not tried their Overland series coil but being a progressive rate spring, you might be able to get away with that as well.

All the other springs are linear so you would need to load them correctly right out of the gate.

thanks bumbo! after all this info i made my decision rolled over to 4wheelparts and brought the icon rear shocks.. seems its the same price everywhere just saved on shipping and i get them next day! gonna install them and see how the outcome is also gonna lower the fronts a notch.
now i have some almost new bilstein shocks... to deal with " for sale " if anybody wants them, its got less than 200 miles on them..

 

[hunterD1]

Installed rear icon 2.0 shocks kept the toytec super flex, the ride is softer doesn't feel so hard over speed bumps like the bilsteins. Now the only thing that bugs is the mixing of suspension brands... Call me anal but I love my rig and like probably most of u guys out there want that perfect stance looks and ride. :thumb:

 

[aquilon]

Can you post a pic up please? No issues bein on 4th notch on the 6112 right? Stock upper control arm?

 

[milehigh05]

Installed rear icon 2.0 shocks kept the toytec super flex, the ride is softer doesn't feel so hard over speed bumps like the bilsteins. Now the only thing that bugs is the mixing of suspension brands... Call me anal but I love my rig and like probably most of u guys out there want that perfect stance looks and ride. :thumb:

I will have the exact same setup in a few days. I also have the 6112's on top notch, currently with 5100's and superflex rears. I ordered my Icons 2.0 a few days ago. So do you feel satisfied that you don't need to change shocks/springs anymore? I'm hoping this is it.

 

[hunterD1]

I will have the exact same setup in a few days. I also have the 6112's on top notch, currently with 5100's and superflex rears. I ordered my Icons 2.0 a few days ago. So do you feel satisfied that you don't need to change shocks/springs anymore? I'm hoping this is it.

yeah i'm very satisfied with the ride, much smoother in the rear it doesn't have that stiff thud after going over a speed bump..i don't know if that's the feeling of the bilstein's bottoming out.

 

[hunterD1]

Can you post a pic up please? No issues bein on 4th notch on the 6112 right? Stock upper control arm?

im still on the top notch. will have to wait till next week to lower it. but my align on top notch was good i didn't need UCA maybe because im 2WD?

 

[milehigh05]

yeah i'm very satisfied with the ride, much smoother in the rear it doesn't have that stiff thud after going over a speed bump..i don't know if that's the feeling of the bilstein's bottoming out.

Thanks, that's the exact problem I'm hoping to eliminate (the thud after hitting a speed bump).

 

[hunterD1]

My Metaltech 3" coil rides great on road without any extra weight in the rear.

How are the metal techs ride on roads? I'm thinking of pairing them with my icons.

 

[Inv4drZm]

How are the metal techs ride on roads? I'm thinking of pairing them with my icons.

Like I said, I have no complaints about them whatsoever. I've never tried the superflex but I know a couple people on this forum who have switched between the two noticed an improvement with Metaltech's.

 

[hunterD1]

finally found the time to lower front Bilstein's a notch.

she sits level now.
upload pics

so i got a deal on some ICON rear springs, was thinking of swapping them out since i have ICON rear shocks, should i or just leave them be... same specs both have a 2'' rear lift.