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Help me avoid death and death related symptoms

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by MacGyvR, Aug 25, 2011.

  1. Aug 25, 2011 at 3:56 PM
    #1
    MacGyvR

    MacGyvR [OP] Well-Known Member

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    03 Prerunner (5VZ-FE)
    OME 2.5", 881, Dakar, Nitrochargers
    I need a new suspension all the way around. New coils, leafs, and shocks. As a starving college student, there's no way I can do all of this at once. Especially since I'm getting new tires in September. Where would my money be best spent? I think the most I can spend is $300ish.

    I eventually want to have this setup
    Billy 5100's
    Stock coils
    AAL, or a new leaf pack


    I was thinking I should do the front coils and shocks first, since I think doing one without the other will damage the new components. What do you think?
    Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
     
  2. Aug 25, 2011 at 5:31 PM
    #2
    AlphaEcho2k5

    AlphaEcho2k5 Well-Known Member

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    :spy:
     
  3. Aug 25, 2011 at 5:38 PM
    #3
    Unknown

    Unknown He who angers you conquers you

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    Need or want?
     
  4. Aug 25, 2011 at 5:41 PM
    #4
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    Cody
    Kealakekua, Hawaii
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    Lifted 00 TRD Off-Road
    fox extended travel remote resivoir coilovers, 14" eibach 600lb coils, All Pro tubular chromoly 1" uniball upper control arms, All Pro expedition leaf packs, 10" bilstein 5150 piggyback reservoir shocks 265/75r16 Goodyear wrangler MT/R kevlars wrapped around 16" Helo 791 gloss black, Mini H1 retrofits with 6000k bulbs, 18" magnaflow w/custom exhaust reroute various decals, Sockmonkey retro hood stripes
    this...cause....yeah.
     
  5. Aug 25, 2011 at 6:07 PM
    #5
    RAT PRODUCTS

    RAT PRODUCTS Well-Known Member

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    Smokin with a smarty.
    Sounds like you should get some gently used stuff if you can't afford to eat but you HAVE to have new suspension. Or if you buy oem style shocks with no lift you can save hundreds now and save for later...
     
  6. Aug 25, 2011 at 6:25 PM
    #6
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    If your shocks are worn out, I would replace those front and especially back for safety's sake to keep your tires on the road. Those new tires won't do you any good if the aren't contacting the pavement.

    Don't bother lifting/replacing springs until you can afford to do it right.
     
  7. Aug 25, 2011 at 9:12 PM
    #7
    MacGyvR

    MacGyvR [OP] Well-Known Member

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    OME 2.5", 881, Dakar, Nitrochargers
    Need.

    The ride quality is pretty shitty, which I don't mind much, but I get nervous when there are messed up sections of road or highway that I have to take at speed. Especially when turning!

    Is it worth getting OEM shocks? I thought they would wear out faster.

    Also, I'm not sure gently used has very much meaning. Someone can say their shocks only have 5k of highway miles on them, but how do I know they weren't out off roading? I don't have enough experience with these components to recognize that kind of wear and tear.
     
  8. Aug 25, 2011 at 9:16 PM
    #8
    malander

    malander Well-Known Member

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    deck plate mod,jba cat back,bilstein 5100's,ome 883 springs, Allpro expos, allpro U-bolt flip kit, 10" Bilstien 5150 shocks, custom lower shock mounts
    Drive more cautiously then. If you were in Saint Louis I'd sell you my old leaf pack with a 2" aal for 50 bucks and lunch. I haven't thought of a price yet but I have rear 5100s that I need to get rid of as well.
     
  9. Aug 25, 2011 at 9:24 PM
    #9
    Dilley

    Dilley Well-Known Member

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    Cant you just create some out of some paperclips and chewing gum Macgyvr?
     
  10. Aug 25, 2011 at 9:35 PM
    #10
    MacGyvR

    MacGyvR [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, that would be nice. That's at least 15 light years from where I live though.

    Where do you think my original suspension came from?
     
  11. Aug 25, 2011 at 10:00 PM
    #11
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    You are describing what I felt about my truck when I got it used. I was alarmed at speed in bumpy freeway curves at the speed of surrounding traffic. This is a safety issue. That is why I advocate shocks first. New shocks wil do a better job of controlling worn out springs, which you can't afford to replace right now.

    Shocks wear out over time. Getting another set of Bilstein HDs will get you through another 20-50,000 miles. They are good shocks. And I suggest new ones, not used. Shock length is specific to suspension ride height. When you can afford a proper lift, it means that you can afford the proper shocks to go with the springs you choose.
     
  12. Aug 26, 2011 at 7:59 AM
    #12
    MacGyvR

    MacGyvR [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This sounds like a good solution. Do you know where I can get billy HD's for a good price? From what I've seen it looks like it would be only $100 more for 5100s all around.
     
  13. Aug 26, 2011 at 8:07 AM
    #13
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Save your $100... You said you were a poor college student now you want to spend an extra $100 on 5100's when you don't need them? Make up your mind!

    Try local auto parts stores for Bilstein HD's, or go to Bilstein's website and find out who carries them local to you.

    EDIT: You might be able to get 5100's, I can't find HD's $100 cheaper than what Downsouth Motorsports lists the 5100's for.
     
  14. Aug 26, 2011 at 8:21 AM
    #14
    MacGyvR

    MacGyvR [OP] Well-Known Member

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    OME 2.5", 881, Dakar, Nitrochargers
    lol, I am poor. But if the 5100s last substantially longer, I can see waiting a little longer to save the money. I'm just looking at all the angles.

    Edit: Autozone carries the HDs for either $65 or $89 each (couldn't figure out which one I needed), which would come to either $260 or $356 before taxes and shipping. I remember seeing that down south motorsports was selling the 5100 pack for like $309 before shipping and taxes. I'll just go with the 5100s if I can't find the HDs for substantially cheaper.
     
  15. Aug 26, 2011 at 8:34 AM
    #15
    Sign Guy

    Sign Guy Well-Known Member

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    Nice Rims, Big Tires, Carryboy Shell, Added Rosta Cruise Control & Ultraguage, 5100 Bilsteins All around
    I got my 5100's from downsouth (great deal!). I don't remember who I got my AAL from but it was under $100 and really helped lift up that saggin rear end.
     
  16. Aug 26, 2011 at 9:12 AM
    #16
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    Just make sure when you get the shocks that you get the right part numbers--especially if you order online. This sounds weird, but you need three different shocks:
    2 front (same part number)
    1 rear driver side
    1 rear passenger side

    Have you tried RockAuto?

    The rear schocks are side-specific becasue they are different lengths.
     
  17. Aug 26, 2011 at 10:50 AM
    #17
    MacGyvR

    MacGyvR [OP] Well-Known Member

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    OME 2.5", 881, Dakar, Nitrochargers
    Just took a look at rock auto, and I'm kind of blown away. I can get new shocks for as low as 18 each!:eek::eek::eek:
    How do I pick the correct shocks? I see that a few say RR and front, but none seem to say rear passenger. Also, could someone recommend or give me advice on what to pick? I don't want to pick the cheapest shocks only to have them wear out after 10k miles.
     
  18. Aug 26, 2011 at 10:54 AM
    #18
    newertoy

    newertoy Well-Known Member

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    2" lift AAL and Bilstiens-front-rear,front diff drop. main drive drop
    Bilstiens all the way around--you do not need the AAL yet--unless you have a HOT TUB in the bed.
    I did the aal FIRST--Because of heavy loads--Shocks were still good.
    Safest and best thing to do--get the bilstiens.
     
  19. Aug 26, 2011 at 11:03 AM
    #19
    MacGyvR

    MacGyvR [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'd love to get the billies, because I'd like to lift it an inch or two eventually, But if I can get new shocks all around for under $150 I can't rationalize the spending at this time... Unless they're going to last forever, lol.
     
  20. Oct 5, 2011 at 9:33 PM
    #20
    whatatoy

    whatatoy Galt/Rearden 2012

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    I like it
    This truck is a work truck - not a lot of fancy mod's here, but it's getting the job done!
    I'm reviving the thread here because I would like some help here - I'm not a starving college student, but I dont have a bunch of money to spend on the SAS I really want, so I'll have to go with just replacing my shocks instead. I have a 98 prerunner. If someone could recommend which shocks (pref with part number) I would appreciate it - especially if there are 3 different one's to order. My budget is around $2-300 at most and I will be replacing all 4 doing the work myself. Thank you.
     

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