Need new struts and shocks

I just bought my son a 2004 Tacoma TRD and the truck could use new struts and shocks. I’m looking for some recommendations on a decent shock for a good price, as it will be used for tooling around town and school. Thanks in advance for any info.

Rod

 

Bilstein 5100s are really popular for a very reasonable price. You can always check out rockauto.com and get some OEM style ones as well. GL

 

Can I use my old springs? Truck has a 170k on it?

 

Yes you can but why not get new springs on the coil overs? Are you planning on doing the work your self?

 

I would get new ones. New springs don't add much to the cost and it'll ride better. Are you looking to lift the truck or just keep it stock height?

 

Yeah I’m gonna do them. What brand is a good coil over for a decent price? Just planning on keeping it stock.

 

Most of the coils I'm familiar with are ones that provide lift...if you're looking to lift the front end I could name some good options. If looking to keep it stock height, I would just look for a standard coilover assembly from Monroe that includes the shock/coil pre-assembled and ready to bolt on.

 

Thanks!!

 

Removing and installing springs on the shock is not for the faint of heart. If you go with new springs the vendor can install the springs on the f shocks for a small fee. The shock vendor will have recommended combinations depending on your specific use.

 

Old Man Emu Springs for the front are very popular. You can also spring for the Eibachs as well.

I run the OME 881 springs and gained about 2" when new but they settle to about an Inch of lift over stock. On the 5100 shocks, you can also "Pre load" the springs to gain a bit of lift as well.

 

Keep in mind that if you aren't going to lift it, get the 4600 shocks. The front 5100's are good for 0-2.5(ish)" lift, but the rear 5100 shocks need at least an inch of lift, up to 3". For stock height all around, the 4600's are what you want. Basically the same shocks, just shorter.

You could do like I did and get 5100s, and re-use your original springs, and then get a longer leaf spring shackle in the back to provide that inch of lift. In the front, set the spring perch to the middle setting which will be about an inch of lift as well.

For me, this "lift" more or less just compensated for sagging springs. I drove like that for several years until I ended up with much higher end coilovers.

All in, I had about $400 in my lift with the shocks and shackles.

Of course "ideally" you'd probably want to look at all new springs. It's a pretty safe assumption they're worn out and sagging, but unfortunately there aren't many stock height options for leaf springs or coils that aren't OEM (which are redonk expensive).

 

Here's my 2 cents. Take it for what it's worth.

Bilstein 5100s in front with Old Man Emu 880 coils.

Bilstein 5100s rear with a Wheelers 1.5 inch Add a Leaf.

This will lift the truck approximately 1.5 inch BUT... it will also give you fresh coils in the front. It will give you a small lift without pre-loading the coils. The AAL will freshen up the leafs a bit and give you enough lift to run the 5100s. The 5100s will give you better handling than the 4600s. Also... this way you could order the front 5100s with the 880s already mounted... unless you have a proper spring compressor, and know how to use it, that is a better way to go.

With a 1.5 inch lift, you could run the same tires for now, until they need to be replaced, and then possibly step up to a 265 tire when you get a new set.

 

All you mentioning lift, did you just miss the fact he said he wanted to keep it stock. Put 5100s on the front set at zero with the factory coil and a 4600s in the rear and call it day. If you want level it put the front 5100s on the first setting.

 

He had mentioned getting new springs too which is why I suggested getting a pre-assembled Monroe coilover setup off Rockauto or the local parts store, they usually have stock ride height setups like that in stock for people just looking to refresh old parts. If not looking for a performance upgrade just a refresh, a basic Monroe strut/coil kit will be fine

 

The truck is 15 years old. And Tacoma springs are notorious for sagging. An AAL for a slight lift is a good way to freshen up the leafs without shelling out the coin for a new leaf pack. The front coils are almost definately sagging as well. So 880s would match the (cheaper than buying new leafs) rear option.

OP asked for an opinion... I gave mine.

 

Half way down the list, yeah OP did eventually mention that.

But here's the thing: stock height (quality) springs are hard to come by unless you spend the money on OEM parts. There are more betterest options if you end up putting a mild lift on it. As I mentioned, if you "lift" a set of worn out springs (like with the 5100s), you're really just returning it to stock height anyway.

 

Any new spring is going to lift the front compared to the saggy used springs.

 

Correct I was meaning over stock.

 

Thank you guys for all the knowledgeable input!! At least now, I have something to work with.

 

I did mine a couple months ago and replaced the struts and shocks with KYB Gas a Just. I just wanted a replacement equal to or better than oem but at a lower cost.