Blown Rear Shock :(

Left the dealership today and was informed of a blown rear shock (left). Kind of surprised me at 62,000 miles but upon further review I guess it's about time for something like this to be needing replacing. Looked around for a while on the site here and saw a lot of people showing the use of the bilstein 5100's, but to my understanding these are for maybe the 6cyl models? I have a 2012, 4cyl 5spd 4x4. I know I don't have anything fancy back there, but I didn't know if I should be replacing with OEM parts or maybe step my game up a notch with a better part...

I got quoted 233 dollars by my dealer for replacing the pair back there, better than the reputable tire places where I live in South Carolina.

Should I go with the standard part? My truck has never rode all that smooth but I just figured it was the standard ride for the vehicle.

I appreciate any insight you guys can offer, hopefully I'm not beating a dead horse here with an already popular topic.

 

Get on Craigslist and buy brand new stock take off that are probably right down the street from you. I gave mine to an 07 Taco. There is no difference in rear shocks between 2nd Gen models in valving or rating.

 

Get 5100s and install yourself. If you don't have any idea how, it will take 30 minutes instead of 10. You don't even need to jack the truck up to swap rears.

 

Bilistein also makes a factory replacement 4600. Try looking up those

 

Should I be replacing both front and rear, or would running bilstein rears be ok with stock front?

 

That's what OP should get if he doesn't plan on a lift.

From my understanding the 5100s and 4600s are the same except the 5100s have the preset lift heights.

 

OP, your SR5 was built with Tokico shocks, which I found to be mediocre at best on the Tacoma. The TRD models were built with Bilstein shocks (yellow with blue dust sleeve), and are a noticeable improvement over the Tokico shocks. Guys remove them and sell them cheap, when lifting. If you can find take-offs with low or no miles, you can get great value for your money for a stock truck. I'd do all four, but you could do both rears ASAP, and the fronts a little later.

 

You'll be fine replacing both rears without replacing the front. Quick and easy job with common hand tools.

 

Just doing rear is fine.

They are very different shocks.

The 5100 rear is not height adjustable and is made for stock height Tacomas, but has enough travel that it works with slightly lifted trucks. It is also much larger in diameter than the stock replacement - more oil for dissipating heat, and it's valved for trucks that are driven in demanding terrain on and off road -unlike the 4600.

 

Over looked that he's only doin the rear. My bad.

 

Looking around now, I'm assuming this is the proper part. Price looks good too.

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/...y-Shock-Absorber-Toyota-Tacoma-Rear-24-186056

 

I would do 5100s, but I prefer to replace worn out parts with better parts. @HeadStrong Off-Road has free shipping and great customer service.

 

Just checked them out, thanks for the info too

 

@scottalot you know anyone with some takeoffs to help OP?