Lifts are all the same?

[DragonRunner]

I don’t know how many threads I’ve read here and on 4Runner and Tundras regarding lifts, but it’s more than a few. I see spacer lifts (above and below the hat), shock preload (Bilstein 5100, etc) and coil lifts. I’m trying to figure out how to minimize the impact to ride quality (harshness) with the type of lift. Besides the effect spacers have on travel length / droop / coil pinch, it appears that a spacer lift does the same thing that a shock lift would do at an other than 0 setting - preload the coil. Is that right? If I dial in a 5100 to the top perch, am I just adding max preload and therefor gaining height but loosing ride comfort? There are so many recommendations to buy a new coil/spring to effect the lift and set say my 6112 on “0” to remove preload and “let the coil lift the truck,” but someone I found creditable said that’s basically the same thing! You’re just buying a coil with a “preload” over a factory coil built in. That the only way to lift via coil is to increase coil length, but that requires more complexity with LCA / UCA / Spindle changes, etc. All this comes to a point as I just purchased a 6112/5160 set and in an effort to avoid setting the shock to a 3 or 5 clip perch for the lift and making the ride more harsh, I wanted to swap out the coil the 6112 comes with for another one that provides the lift. All I could find was talk of heavier springs... 650lbs, 700lbs, etc. Is this the juxtaposition where the mantra “let the coil lift the truck, set the shock to 0” equals the same stiff ride as a stock coil around a 5100 maxed out? Is there no “longer” coil at a 550lb rate that lifts the truck?

My head hurts...

 

[DragonRunner]

I don’t even know where to begin to understand the side that speaks to a lift allowing you to put bigger tires on versus the side that tells you a lift doesn’t change what you can and can’t fit. I mean, they both make absolutely rational sense... paradoxically. Lift your truck and you don’t get rubbing with many bigger/wider tires - unless you actually drive over a bump... still working on that one...

 

[MAST4R]

I don’t even know where to begin to understand the side that speaks to a lift allowing you to put bigger tires on versus the side that tells you a lift doesn’t change what you can and can’t fit. I mean, they both make absolutely rational sense... paradoxically. Lift your truck and you don’t get rubbing with many bigger/wider tires - unless you actually drive over a bump... still working on that one...

I have the 6112 on 4 and 2 with P metric Wildpeaks in 265 70 and the ride is absolutely plush. Better than stock on and offroad. The shock valving is too soft for real high speeds over really rough terrain but speeds are still 2-3 times higher than stock on rough stuff (think 15 instead of 5-7 on high clearance trails not trophy truck dirt roads).

If you are using LT tires, the 6112s should be able to absorb them within reason but the ride won't be as plush.

I am curious about your rear shocks though. I went with Icon 2.0. Curious if you will like the ride with 5160. Let us know! The ride in the rear (when empty) cannot be as plush as the front by definition.

LIFT and tires: lift does nothing for you on IFS. You still need to clear room in the wheel well unless the room is already there. I could fit 1" bigger tire on my Outback but not on the 4R which is funny.

 

[DragonRunner]

I have the 6112 on 4 and 2 with P metric Wildpeaks in 265 70 and the ride is absolutely plush. Better than stock on and offroad.

I am curious about your rear shocks though. I went with Icon 2.0. Curious if you will like the ride with 5160. Let us know!

LIFT and tires: lift does nothing for you on IFS. You still need to clear room in the wheel well unless the room is already there. I could fit 1" bigger tire on my Outback but not on the 4R which is funny.

Thanks for that feedback. I just put 265/70 AT3Ws on in SL today, fitted to Method M701s (0 mm offset). Don’t have the 6112/5160 in yet, but your experience definitely helps my enthusiasm to install them. I did 5100s on my Tundra and was happy with the improvement.

Did you put a lift in the rear? Is the 4/2 in front to level it? I have KDSS and am still researching the perch settings to keep it level side/side. Did you need to change your bumpstops?

As for lift/bigger tire, you see it EVERYWHERE that if you lift you can suddenly fit a bigger tire than stock suspension. They can’t all be wrong...

 

[MAST4R]

Thanks for that feedback. I just put 265/70 AT3Ws on in SL today, fitted to Method M701s (0 mm offset). Don’t have the 6112/5160 in yet, but your experience definitely helps my enthusiasm to install them. I did 5100s on my Tundra and was happy with the improvement.

Did you put a lift in the rear? Is the 4/2 in front to level it? I have KDSS and am still researching the perch settings to keep it level side/side. Did you need to change your bumpstops?

As for lift/bigger tire, you see it EVERYWHERE that if you lift you can suddenly fit a bigger tire than stock suspension. They can’t all be wrong...

They are not wrong when they talk solid axles, usually on Wranglers

You have the settings in the instructions, the KDSS requires same setting on each side. I got 1/3 lift from the 2/4 settings. I have about 60lb worth of 3/16 skid plates in the front half.

I have Eibach 1" in the rear. I have not been bottoming out ever since ditching the stock coils (which happened before the 6112). If I feel I need bump upgrades, I will get to that but I don't think I will. I have already tested the new suspension enough so I will be surprised if I do.