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Rear Shocks Recommendation

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by tr0gd0r, Mar 2, 2009.

  1. Mar 2, 2009 at 12:25 PM
    #1
    tr0gd0r

    tr0gd0r [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2012 Silver Streak TRD Offroad DCSB V6 4x4
    TRD Catback Exhaust - 265/75/16 BFG KM2s
    I have a stock truck (no lift) and I need to replace the rear shocks as they are currently leaking oil. What do you recommend for rear shocks and where is the best place to order them?

    Thanks
     
  2. Mar 2, 2009 at 12:32 PM
    #2
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    you can get some normal heavy duty bilsteins.....or the awesome bilstein 5100's for your truck..............from downsouth motorsports, and they are a vendor here at tw. sonny is an awesome fella.
     
  3. Mar 2, 2009 at 1:17 PM
    #3
    tr0gd0r

    tr0gd0r [OP] Well-Known Member

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    according to the bilstein website, the 5100s are only for lifted trucks. is this true?
     
  4. Mar 2, 2009 at 1:22 PM
    #4
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    nah.......they just have a little more travel. the fronts are the only adjustable ones.......rears are normal. you can get the whole set for a good price thru downsouth....................and the front 5100's have a "stock" height setting.
     
  5. Mar 2, 2009 at 1:30 PM
    #5
    tr0gd0r

    tr0gd0r [OP] Well-Known Member

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    TRD Catback Exhaust - 265/75/16 BFG KM2s
    Called Downsouth. Person on the phone said if I put 5100s in the rear I would have to get a bigger bump stop as the shocks will max before my axel hits the stop. VERY BAD for the shock. He recommended the 5125 instead.
     
  6. Mar 2, 2009 at 1:34 PM
    #6
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    the 5125 is an excellent choice as well...its what im running
     
  7. Mar 2, 2009 at 1:56 PM
    #7
    tr0gd0r

    tr0gd0r [OP] Well-Known Member

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    TRD Catback Exhaust - 265/75/16 BFG KM2s
    Anyone know what the rear travel is on the stock shock so I can find which 5125 to order?
     
  8. Mar 2, 2009 at 5:42 PM
    #8
    glwood6

    glwood6 Well-Known Member

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    Who'd you talk to at DownSouth? I just ordered a set of 5100s for my '02, and nothing was said about needing new bumpstops...(I have a stock height 4x4 extended cab). I'd like to get that cleared up before I install them. They are due in tomorrow...
     
  9. Mar 2, 2009 at 5:56 PM
    #9
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    i put them on my 04 when it was stock.................no problems at all. i think you'd both be fine with the 5100's.
     
  10. Mar 2, 2009 at 6:09 PM
    #10
    HerNameIsLucy

    HerNameIsLucy I miss Lucy. :-(

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    Not trying to play devil's advocate here, serious question: what advantage is there by putting Bilsteins on over just some good Monroes? Does the truck handle that much better to justify the cost difference?
     
  11. Mar 2, 2009 at 6:16 PM
    #11
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    in alot of cases....the monroe's will be ok. but i gotta say.......the ride and handling with the 5100's....or even the regular bilsteins for that matter, is awesome compared to others i have had.....even the monroe sensatracs. yeah......it was on a different vehicle, but still.
     
  12. Mar 2, 2009 at 6:19 PM
    #12
    HerNameIsLucy

    HerNameIsLucy I miss Lucy. :-(

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    What if someone only did the rears with Billies to start, would it upset the handling having good new ones in the back and worn out OEMs on the front?
     
  13. Mar 2, 2009 at 6:21 PM
    #13
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    in that case......i think only the rear of the truck would feel alot more solid that the front.
     
  14. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:12 PM
    #14
    wildjerseyfirefighter

    wildjerseyfirefighter I sell fishing and fishing accessories

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    stock, for now
    i did the rears a few years back on mine..the back is definately a stiffer ride. I just ordered a set of front 5100's, and hopefully i can get them in this weekend. But I did the 5125's i believe(there just the regular ones, i forget what ones they are now)
     
  15. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:21 PM
    #15
    T@co_Pr3runn3r

    T@co_Pr3runn3r XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    If you're not lifting then why not just low mileage TRD Bilsteins from the for sale section here? You could score some there cheap, even fully assembled fronts. Varying mileages/prices but still bargain. Sets/prs float through there often.
     
  16. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:29 PM
    #16
    glwood6

    glwood6 Well-Known Member

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    I'm hoping so. They will be here tomorrow, won't get a chance to put them on until later in the week, though; I will email Sonny tomorrow to see what they recommend.

    I was going over a thread by markvfr posted last month where he put 5100s on the rear of his 02, and was experiencing them bottoming out, not sure if that was ever cleared up...

    I guess if worse comes to worse I can always swap out the 5100 rears for the Bilstein HDs instead...
     
  17. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:48 PM
    #17
    glwood6

    glwood6 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 4600 shocks.
    You might find some 2nd Gen low mileage shocks, but I don't see that happening for 1st Gens...
     
  18. Mar 3, 2009 at 12:34 PM
    #18
    tr0gd0r

    tr0gd0r [OP] Well-Known Member

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    TRD Catback Exhaust - 265/75/16 BFG KM2s
    I emailed Sonny at downsouth for a recommendation last night but haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully he will get back to me soon. Want to get these ordered and installed. Hoping it will make the ride better in my truck.
     
  19. Mar 3, 2009 at 12:37 PM
    #19
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    give him a bit...sonny will def take good care of you :thumbsup:
     
  20. Mar 3, 2009 at 2:43 PM
    #20
    glwood6

    glwood6 Well-Known Member

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    I emailed Sonny today also to get his recommendation; meanwhile, my 5100s arrived. I plan to get them installed later this week pending the outcome of the conversation with Sonny. I don't see any issues with the front, I just want to make sure the rears are going to work without a lot of additional modifications.

    FYI, I measured the 5100 rear shock fully compressed, and they come to right around 16 3/8"...now I will compare what the OEM Billies measure fully compressed...:cool:

    I'm not totally against an add-a-leaf in the rear, that's not that big a deal. New tires are in the near future, and going up one size wouldn't hurt my feelings any, as long as the ride is better than now:eek:

    End goal- best ride, level truck, maybe next larger size tire. If add-a-leaf and 5100's are the best combo for that end, I'll go for it.
     

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