Leveling my 2016 T4R w/Bilstein 6112

[Georgiey22]

Own a 2016 T4R SR5 Premium 4x4. Truck has 35K miles. Currently running Kings and my wife doesn’t care for them for running around town, so I have to do the work. I primarily drive our Tundra and I have Bilstein 6112/5160 and she wants the exact same setup.

Last weekend, we installed Bilstein 5160 on the rear. No rear lift was added. Running TRD Pro wheels and Nitto G2’s (265’s).

We want the T4R to be set as close to level as possible. By level, I mean front and rear at the exact same height. Can someone with this setup or 5100s share their results? My options are .85”, 1.2” and 1.6” lift from the 6112s. Thank you I’m advance for sharing perspective. Photos of your rig would also be helpful for reference.

*UPDATE* We have gifted the T4R to my parents (Grandma & Grandpa) to help tote our daughters around after school everyday. Life happens and we are happy with the Bilsteins and this makes them a good option for a level look but daily daily daily driver. We will never off road on this setup.

-George

 

[Dreaded_Marauder]

You’re gonna want to do the 1.2” max. I’d bet the 1.6 is gonna be too high. I’m running 1.5 rear springs that settled to about 1” with the weight I’m running and I’ve got my front 5100’s set to 1.8 and it’s just about level. A tiny bit nose down but really not noticeable.

 

[BobsTrail]

2013 Trail with 5100s. Front set to 0.85, rear 5100s no spacer. I do have AirBags but they are at 5 PSI. It's slightly tail high, but not much.

IMO 1.2 in front would be good. Much of a load will make it look tail heavy but that's what AirBags are for.

 

[blefevre1]

I have the older style 6112's with fewer clips. I used the second clip and got 1.6" lift. The rear I put a 10mm spacer to have a 1.5" rake. This makes the sliders level, but the rear wheel gap is larger. I think it's that way by design. If you want exact same wheel gap you will need to go higher.

Question: What don't you like about the Kings? I have had 6112/5160 for three years and was thinking of switching to Kings (550# spring). I find the 6112s ride rough around town. I know ride quality is somewhat personal, but my wife hates the 6112s. It seems like they have too little rebound damping for my liking. Compression seems nice on the highway, but at slow and high speeds it rebounds way too quickly which creates a 'thrown around' feeling.

 

[Daikon]

You can put the front Kings at 0 preload and get a level front end.

 

[Georgiey22]

You’re gonna want to do the 1.2” max. I’d bet the 1.6 is gonna be too high. I’m running 1.5 rear springs that settled to about 1” with the weight I’m running and I’ve got my front 5100’s set to 1.8 and it’s just about level. A tiny bit nose down but really not noticeable.

Thank you for weighing in, I was thinking 1.2” will do the job. Appreciate the info.

 

[Georgiey22]

You’re gonna want to do the 1.2” max. I’d bet the 1.6 is gonna be too high. I’m running 1.5 rear springs that settled to about 1” with the weight I’m running and I’ve got my front 5100’s set to 1.8 and it’s just about level. A tiny bit nose down but really not noticeable.

You can put the front Kings at 0 preload and get a level front end.

To get the truck level with King’s, I had to turn the collar to show 3 threads.

 

[Georgiey22]

I have the older style 6112's with fewer clips. I used the second clip and got 1.6" lift. The rear I put a 10mm spacer to have a 1.5" rake. This makes the sliders level, but the rear wheel gap is larger. I think it's that way by design. If you want exact same wheel gap you will need to go higher.

Question: What don't you like about the Kings? I have had 6112/5160 for three years and was thinking of switching to Kings (550# spring). I find the 6112s ride rough around town. I know ride quality is somewhat personal, but my wife hates the 6112s. It seems like they have too little rebound damping for my liking. Compression seems nice on the highway, but at slow and high speeds it rebounds way too quickly which creates a 'thrown around' feeling.

I like them fine. My wife doesn’t. We went wheeling with them once and they were amazing.

I’ll be selling the Kings in two weeks, they are coilovers with reservoirs in the front and rears also have reservoirs. They do NOT have the adjusters/clickers. They have 25,000 miles on them.

 

[Georgiey22]

Thank you for the photos. Huge help!

 

[Mudsport1]

Here's something to think about. I thought that I needed new shocks on my 2016 SR5P to firm up the ride and reduce nose dive. I replaced the stock tires with some 275 70 17 KO2's and it now rides like a different truck. 10 ply tires vs 3 ply stock tires. Huge difference!!! Nose dive is gone and does not wallow from side to side. Handles great! No more floating. You are going to need tires. Suggest that you do the tire first and see if you still think replacing shocks is needed.

 

[Georgiey22]

Here's something to think about. I thought that I needed new shocks on my 2016 SR5P to firm up the ride and reduce nose dive. I replaced the stock tires with some 275 70 17 KO2's and it now rides like a different truck. 10 ply tires vs 3 ply stock tires. Huge difference!!! Nose dive is gone and does not wallow from side to side. Handles great! No more floating. You are going to need tires. Suggest that you do the tire first and see if you still think replacing shocks is needed.

Thanks for the recommendation! We are running Nitto G2 Grappler ATs. They have 20K miles on ‘me. Should we still consider replacing?

 

[DenverTiger504]

I definitely think a heavier load tire will stiffen the ride with either a King or 6112 setup. I would consider going to a higher load rating if you want to stiffen the ride with the Kings but keep in mind a heavier E load tire will effect mileage, acceleration, etc.

If you do the 6112 setup, I would keep the nittos or get a SL or C load tire to compensate for the digressive valving of the 6112 for a daily driver. If you keep the Kings, an E or C load may give you the stiffness you are seeking for less money spent and hassle. Could you try a set of E or C loads and if it doesn’t give the ride you want return them?

 

[Georgiey22]

Completed the installation of the suspension today. Here is what I’ve done. The rear is OEM with Bilstein 5100. The front is Bilstein 6112 set at 1.2”. I called Bilstein because instructions say to set the drivers side on the 4th circlip and the passenger side on the 2nd That’s what I did and there is no driver side lean and the truck is very very close to level (front to back) and from the center of hub to fender it measures 23” on both sides. I removed my after market UCA’s because the uniball went bad after 25,000 miles and I wanted more durability so I reinstalled the OEM UCA.

 

[DenverTiger504]

Completed the installation of the suspension today. Here is what I’ve done. The rear is OEM with Bilstein 5100. The front is Bilstein 6112 set at 1.2”. I called Bilstein because instructions say to set the drivers side on the 4th circlip and the passenger side on the 2nd That’s what I did and there is no driver side lean and the truck is very very close to level (front to back) and from the center of hub to fender it measures 23” on both sides. I removed my after market UCA’s because the uniball went bad after 25,000 miles and I wanted more durability so I reinstalled the OEM UCA.

I agree with move to stock UCAs for your setup - less worries and hassle in the future. Are you happy with the ride of 6112s vs the Kings?

 

[Akkording]

Completed the installation of the suspension today. Here is what I’ve done. The rear is OEM with Bilstein 5100. The front is Bilstein 6112 set at 1.2”. I called Bilstein because instructions say to set the drivers side on the 4th circlip and the passenger side on the 2nd That’s what I did and there is no driver side lean and the truck is very very close to level (front to back) and from the center of hub to fender it measures 23” on both sides. I removed my after market UCA’s because the uniball went bad after 25,000 miles and I wanted more durability so I reinstalled the OEM UCA.

23" front on 4/2 clip seems like a high measurement for that setting, hopefully it will settle. Did you have the alignment done yet? You sure you don't want some rake when your back is loaded?

 

[Georgiey22]

I agree with move to stock UCAs for your setup - less worries and hassle in the future. Are you happy with the ride of 6112s vs the Kings?

Put 50 miles on it today and it really does ride nice. More compliant for a daily driver when compared to the Kings. Although the Kings were incredible off road on the once experience I had with them. Overall satisfied.

 

[Georgiey22]

23" front on 4/2 clip seems like a high measurement for that setting, hopefully it will settle. Did you have the alignment done yet? You sure you don't want some rake when your back is loaded?

Loaded it up tonight actually. Had groceries, baby stroller, baby crib, and two kiddos. Truck was perfectly level loaded up. Now the truck has been given to my parents, so they can help with our kids on a daily basis. #DadLife

This is the only photo I took and it was on my driveway which is steep.