Lift Confusion

I installed a 5160/6112 combo with 650lb coils for the front winch and bumper and JBA upper control arms. I put Dobinson 1.25-1.5 coils on the back. The Dobinson’s were supposed to hit 1.75 in the back without extra weight. The front 6112s were supposed to be set at 1.75. After the shop installed everything and set the front shocks to 1.75 they said the front was sitting way to low. They took the 6112s all the way up to what should equal a 2.7 inch lift in the front, even though it only got me a 1.75 inches up front.

Is that normal? The weight for my bumper and winch are fully in spec with the front spring weight. The rake is about 2.5 or a little shy now. I wanted to keep factory rake. I feel like either the rear Dobinsons ended up much higher or there is something screwed up with the front.

The math doesn’t add up and it’s driving me nuts. Why would the front end be lifted so high but still only net1.75. Bilstein asked if my KDSS was flashed so it could relearn it’s new height and said the KDSS could be pulling it down if it wasn’t. What the hell does reflashed mean? Is that even a thing?

 

How much weight does your front bumper and winch add to the front end?

If you put on Dobinson 1.25 - 1.5" rear coils, why would you expect 1.75" of lift? Wouldn't you expect 1.5" max?

Do you happen to have hub to fender measurements?

 

Great questions Nimby. The winch and bumper add 110lbs. I put on the Bilstein 12 specials 650lb coils up front, as their rated to handle an extra 140lb on the front. As to the Dobinsons, I expected 1.75 because the owner Mike told me to expect 1.75 inches of lift in the rear for their 1.25 to 1.5 inch lift springs. That was another whole part of the early confusion, but something I compensated for with the anticipated settings of 1.75 lift in the back and front. What Mike said about the springs was to expect 1.75 of lift because I didn't have the third row seating or the constant weight. When I contacted Bilstein they said that the Dobinsons used a 223lb spring rate, and that according to their testing, without a constant 400lb load they got 2-2.25” of lift. So here is the humble-pie part, I didn't do pre-measurements, but if I use the stock ride height posted on these sites of a 2017 ORP w/KDSS, I calculate out a 1.75 inch lift in the front and back with a 2.5 rake. Now, it could be that the lift is higher than my calculation, but probably not by much. I don't have a problem with the rake, but I am as confused as hell about how the front springs would be set at what should equal a 2.7 inch lift on the front 6112 clip settings, but only end up with a 1.75 inch lift using springs that are to spec for the weight of my new bumper and winch?

 

Does the 110lbs include the cable weight as well?

 

It does.

 

Yeah, strange then because 650lb coils should be able to handle 110lbs of extra weight without sagging. It's when you get into the 140lb range when people start recommending that you think about a 700lb coil. Is it possible your bumper/winch weighs more than you think it does?

It's also possible you got the wrong coils and 600lb coils were put back on it. That's another place I would check.

Also, may I ask why you didn't get taller coils for the front as well? Why go through the trouble of buying a 650lb stock sized coil and have the 6112 do the lifting rather than get a 1.75" lift coil for the front? Not criticizing, just curious.

 

Yea. It has me super confused. I got the Bilstein 650lb because that’s what Bilstein suggested with my weight/desired ride height. Also, they don’t make a front coil with a lift. They do with the rear. I also just realized that their weight variation is 80-140. It could be that their too soft.

https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/prod...22268561351460&SubModelId=2253586907640679588

 

Yeah, that could be it. Also, I just realized you have those sliders as well which would certainly add some weight.

So that I get this straight, you're interested in hitting 1.75" of lift both front and back, correct? And you did hit 1.75" both front and back, correct? Just not the way you were supposed to (in the front).

If that's correct, then your best bet might be to get some 700lb front coils from Dobinsons that also lifts your truck 1.75" with the added weight of the bumper/winch/sliders. Getting the weight of all your parts together right will be important for an accurate lift height. Pair those coils with your 6112s and sell the 650lb coils. Plan on setting the 6112 on the 0" setting but if you find it too low, you could always go up to the 0.8 setting. I wouldn't expect that you would need that with a 700lb coil, but at least it's an option.