What else is needed with Dakar leaf pack?

Here’s my question/issue ...

I just purchased the Bilstein 6112/5160’s for my taco and I still have so many questions. I can’t install until I get home bc I’m working out of town but can’t wait to get started.

I currently have an ARE camper shell that came with the truck (I’ve only owned it just over a week now) and the rear leaf springs are pretty flat. I think I’m gonna replace them with the OME Dakars with the XL extra leafs but that’s going to be 2.25” of lift in the rear alone. My issue is wondering if my rear 5160s are going to work now since they’re capable of only 1.5” the Bilstein’s? Hope someone can point me in the right direction. Do I need to add a spacer/block in the rear to make up for the .75” difference or get diff shocks altogether?

I’ll be running 285/70/17s on factory 17x7.5 TRD wheels with 0mm offset so I’m sure I’ll need 1” wheel spacers at the least.

looks like I’ll also need:
extended brake line
exhaust relocation bracket
Leaf spring shackles
bushings for the Dakars

I think I’m headed in the right direction here. Missing anything? Issues? I’m probably going with some new aftermarket UCA’s also.

Thanks in advance and apologies in advance bc I know this is out there somewhere. There’s just sooooooooooo much info everywhere.

 

@endo304

Change the title of your thread; help is reserved for those that are stuck, broken down, etc.

 

With the title change suggestion out of the way;

Can you post the part number of the 5160's you will be using?

This way we can gather the extended and collapsed length of the shocks. Some websites will say "up to" but it's all really just an estimate.

The Dakar leaf pack alone will net you around 2" of height, and the AAL will add a bit more so you could see 2.25-2.65" of lift over stock.

Adding a spacer or block will only raise the rear even more...unsure why you would even consider that at all.

Anyway what you'd want to do is ideally install just your main leaf on each side, and cycle your suspension to figure out what extended and collapsed length shocks you'd need. Since you already have them, you can then figure out how tall of a bump stop you'll need. Since the shocks you purchased are meant for 'lifted' vehicles, this will mean they'll naturally have a longer length in collapsed form...which could mean there's a chance you can blow out the rear shock if they're bottomed out since they will be with your stock bump stops.

Some here don't bother with the relocation bracket; I simply cut my exhaust.

There's also the brake proportioning valve relocation bracket, that helps to maintain the stock rear braking.

 

Done. Thanks!

 

Here you go ...

 

Tons of suspension threads, but really it's the same information being posted for the most part.

These trucks are so old that nothing's changed as far as what's available for them in the aftermarket realm.

Want to lift the rear?

Blocks (don't recommend), or a leaf pack. What leaf pack? Dakar or All Pro. Which one's most popular? Dakar. Want better than Dakar? Alcan or Deaver. Have a unique setup that requires more payload? Custom leaf pack by Alcan or Deaver.

Want to lift the front?

Spacer (don't recommend), or a coilover. What coilover? Bilstein 5100 or OME. Which one's most popular? Both. Want better than those 2? Fox, King, ADS, Icon, etc...

Really that's it

 

The 25-267570 has the length of 13.42 - 21.73

The 25-248692 has the length of 12.95 - 20.66

What's nice about this is that they're damn similar to the 5100's at

$104 33-247717 Bilstein 5100 Series 96-04 Toyota Tacoma Rear Right 46mm Monotube Shock Absorber (33-247717)

33-247717 for 14.07-22.09

$104 33-247724 Bilstein Qc55T 1" X 1" Male Coupling

33-247724 for 13.62-21.26

and the other variant of 5100's at

BE5-D560 for 14.65 - 22.57

BE5-D559 for 13.93 - 21.63

Since the collapsed lengths are actually a tad shorter, just run Wheeler's Super Bump stops and call it a day. As long as you don't lift your vehicle all too much (droop) you shouldn't have to worry about overextending your shocks.

That is, if you don't really go out in rough terrain and crawling over rocks and stuff.

 

Ok, Im looking for 2.5”-3” all around so If I comprehend correctly ... I can get the Dakars with AAL and then bump stops and spacers for the rear? I suppose I could return the 5160s and reconfigure if need be.

 

No no no, get the spacer idea out of your head

If you are adding a Dakar leaf pack, and AAL, you'll gain a good amount of lift.

Just adding blocks to that will bring the rear up much higher, that and you should never stack lifts.

I don't know how the valving will dampen your truck with the weight you'll be carrying, that's a question that hopefully someone can answer versus "IT RIDES NICE". The 5160's I'm sure are valved just a bit differently than say 5100's, but being that they have a reservoir, will mean their performance won't fade as quickly if you're running your truck over a distance at speeds.

 

Going back to this, why do you insist on going so high?

You'll be putting on quite a bit of preload up front which will give you a really harsh ride.

These trucks should normally rest at 2"-2.5" so you can keep some droop while maintaining some up travel.

Going that high will also mean you need to watch the angle of your cv axles; you could run into issues with alignment as well.

A set of aftermarket upper control arms will help to achieve proper alignment; SPC, Total Chaos, Icon, Camburg, etc.

 

Here's a picture of how my truck was sitting with some weight in the rear, armor, and 2" of lift.



Really it was almost 2.5" if you consider the tires.

 

I kind of want to steer you away from the 5160 due to the shock length, but again I don't know how much you'll wheel and really, how much of a load you'll carry consistently.

If it were my truck, I would go with 5100's.

They're affordable, they're slightly longer, and they're hugely a popular choice. I just happen to run Fox all around but I do have an extra set of 5100's I also bought just to test out.

 

Ok. Maybe I won’t do AAL then and just leave it around 2”. I’ll Just see what happens with the standard Dakars and go from there

 

The ARE shell adds some weight though.

Another member here has the Dakar leaf pack along with the AAL.

He says with his setup, he really did need the AAL as the Dakar pack alone would cause him to sag.

Again, figure out your overall weight.

 

Yeah? Hmmm, decisions

 

Ok. Good to know.

 

I know, it's confusing.

I too was surprised that he needed an AAL whereas I didn't.

 

Since you changed your title again, I'll post pics of what I said I did (or suggested you should do)



I have rear extended brake lines and I've been too busy to even install it

 

I didn’t change it ... must have been someone else??? WTH? It’s more clear tho so thanks whoever did!

 

They probably changed it to better describe what you need help with.

Anyway, hope all I posted was enough.

You'll get some experts in here that'll really set you straight though.