New to me tacoma, needs new shocks

so i just purchased my first taco a couple days ago.

previous to this truck i had a tundra, great truck, just to expensive to keep on the road, and to big to keep off road. tundra rode great, best riding truck ive ever owned. the new to me taco, needs some improvement in this area, it has 4 blown shocks( has that bouncy feel) from what i can see they look to be the original shocks(all black shocks).

so to give an intro to my newest truck, its a 1996, 4 cyl, 5 speed, 4x4, manual locking front hubs, manual everything. bench seat
200k (miles) on the clock

taco mods:
arb bumber
warn winch

this is where i ask for your guidance in making the right choice.

my first thought was to go on rockauto and grab some rancho struts for the front(rs series-non-adjustable) they are very inexpensive

second thought was to go with rancho quicklift series(adjustable) (since the tundra had leveling kit on it (blocks) thought this might be the route i want to go)

third thought, after searching on here i see the bilstien and eibach combo.

i live in Atlanta(city) but hike alot(north georgia). i dont want a monster lift, because i still want to be able to park in a parking deck(ill be adding a CB antenna)

i want to keep the stock wheels, but maybe add some bigger tires to them(when tires are in need to be replaced)

anyone try the rancho quicklift series?

i am really looking for something that can get me down a trail, but at the same time something that rides great on the street(since that is where the majority of the driving the truck will see.)

give me your thoughts, and thanks for the responses.

 

Welcome to TW

What part of Atlanta are you? North Metro or downtown?

Most people either go Bilstein 5100's with eibach coils or a full OME setup. If you aren't trying to spend a ton of cash I'd go with 5100 and eibach. Im debating on going with those or an OME setup because I can get them assembled from Wheelers Offroad. Which makes ease of assembly.

Its sort of how much you are willing to spend really. I'd stay away from blocks and spacers (I have spacers and hate them) they can cause damage to parts over time. I haven't had experience with Ranchos but just do it right the first time and you'll save yourself time and money.

 

thanks for the quick response. im on the perimeter on the northern eastern side.

im not looking to spend alot of money, i already have a go fast car that takes all my money. im just looking to fix the problems the truck has, with the best quality parts to make the truck what i want it to be( daily driver(comfort) with some offroad/expedition driving)

how much of a lift does the bilstien setup give?

does the bilstien setup require a diff drop kit?

 

Fabtech has a 0-3.5 inch lift looks great rides great little stiff but at speeds it handles bumbs and trails like a beast... I went with the dirt logic coilovers up front fully adjustable

Before


After


Mine had the same issue when I purchased 2 years ago its been great ever since. Cheap 1500 dollar adjustable lift then throw some 33s on and she sits like that

 

Fabtech has a 0-3.5 inch lift looks great rides great little stiff but at speeds it handles bumbs and trails like a beast... I went with the dirt logic coilovers up front fully adjustable

Before

 

A good and cheap front would be the bilstine 5100s and Some 99 4runner coils.
I got mine from rock auto for 60$ shipped, and they have the same spring weight as the 881s.
This is what I am doing to mine, I expect a 1.5 to 2 in lift.
For the rear get the rear 5100s.

 

love my eibach/5100 combo. dosent ever feel lifted besides how it looks and sits.

 

Oh alright cool! Im in the north metro/cobb area

Uh they are adjustable from 0 to 3" if I'm not mistaken but if you go with aftermarket coils its best to leave it at 0 to keep the cv angles reasonable and other benefits

 

is it 60 shipped for the coil pair, or the shock pair?

how much is your complete setup?

 

sorry im not following, how is the bilstien shock height adjustable?

 

i guess my consern after researching this setup, is i want to make sure i get a shock that can deal with the added weight i have in the front do to the abr bumper and winch. will the bilstien 5100 be sufficient. keep in mind im not really looking to lift the truck, just want to level the truck out (maybe +1 inch) and get the ride quality back to stock/better.

 

Welcome! If your budgeting, for our rigs i would suggest somethin lighter like ome setup wth 881 but since yr a lil more chubby in the front bilstein setup wth 600lb eibachs might be better. Call downsouthmotorsports.com Awesome dudes, best prices, free s&h.

 

I just posted a thread on what i did to my 96 it rides really good now. Whats really weird is I sold my tundra and bought a 96 taco also LMAO. a (lift) guru advised me to go with longer springs to lift/level rather than use adjustable struts He said ride quality would suffer. after installing I think I agree. btw I agree with everything you said about the tundra mine rode like a cadillac but you will never be able to get your taco to ride like that I promise you.

 

you can move where you set the coil at different intervals. From 0 to 1.5 to 2.5 I think...

 

Yep 60 for the coils, struts were like 180 I think for the pair.

 

Anyone know the part number for the bilstien 5100?

 

Where did you find the strut pair for 180

 

try here
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/105166-1st-gen-bilstein-5100-part-numbers.html

its stickyed (wrong spelling?? ) on suspension topic

 

Hey if you want the coils and shocks, hmu whenever since i see you from time to time. pm me for my number if you need it