Need help choosing shocks...?

Hi,

I know there is tons of info but i might have a unique situation:

Upgraded my Snugtop on a 2018 Tacoma Sport 4x4 to a Four Wheel Camper Fleet. I previously added a TuffCountry add-a-leaf that's still on and then added Firestone airbags.

Everything is fine until I hit a big bump at speed (off road), then the back end does a floaty bounce a few times sending anything not tied down flying.

I'm wondering if shocks would help with that, and which ones (Bilstien, Fox, etc). And is it wise to upgrade the stock struts anyway carrying this much weight (my heaviest maxed out was 6800 GVW).

Appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

Almost anything is better than those stock Sport Hitachi shocks. Bilstein 5100 are a very common upgrade and affordable. Plus you can raise the front up 0-2” if you want. Everything else gets more expensive.

 

Would you say i can replace my stock bilstein for 5100s? Do i need to replace anything else?

 

You have an OR which are descent shocks, you’re probably fine. The Sport has the cheap Hitachi shocks

 

I recommend reviewing the ton of information we have in the suspension forum, looking at build threads and running some searches.

 

Calculate the weight. Then you can determine the right springs and shocks.

 

OR shocks are pretty bad IMO. Way too soft. Plus my sausage has more girth than an OR shock. I checked.

 

OP I went 6112 front and 5100 rear. I am extremely pleased. One day I'll upgrade the rear shocks, but for now I'm stoked.

 

Neighbors see that by any chance? No way to be smooth on that maneuver.

 

whats the next upgrade up from OR shocks?

 

Stock OR Yellow 4600
Silver 5100

 

6112 vs stock OR...

 

how much easy install?

 

Prove it

 

Oh wow excellent, exactly the kind of responses i was looking for. I think I will go with the front and rear 5100's. I did look at the 6112's, but I don't have a steel bumper or winch up front so figure it's not necessary in my case.
Thank you all for responding.

 

6112 are like $700. Easy install for me. It's as easy as 5100s to install.

 

Yep. What Dave said. I assembled the coilovers for my 6112’s myself which took some dedication and time. Easier to have someone with a hydraulic spring compressor do it for $. Otherwise, easy peasy.

 

You can install the shock and spring without a spring compressor.

Instead of preassembling the coilover, you can attach the bottom of the shock to the lower control arm and then use a floor jack positioned under the control arm to push the spring and shock rod upward while guiding it into the upper mounting hole. Then attach the bushing, washer and top nut to the rod.

By using the weight of the truck, the spring is compressed between the lower and the upper mount and the truck remains stationary during installation using this method.

 

Great point! I should have done that.. next time.

 

I went from a sr5 long bed Tacoma to a short bed sport and hate the hitachi shocks.The ride is way to
Sensitive for me as well as the longer wheelbase helps the ride.Anyone know if I swap just the shocks to the bilstein 5100s I would see much improvement in the ride? Thanks