Shock/strut question

I have a 2009 TRD off-road prerunner access cab 6 ft bed 4.0 auto 2 wd. It's all factory stock.
It's been a good truck but at 171,000 miles, starting to have some issues.
This week it's been a new R&P, tie rod ends, alignment, ball joints, sway bar ends & boots, starter & brakes-drums & rotors. I'm disabled (again) so I had to have a shop do all the work. $$$$$
While on their shop lift, I see my rear shocks are leaking. F&R are the original factory Bilsteins. Call me crazy but I like their ride. I'm 70 yrs old so not looking for a rough ride- which the off road shops want to sell me. The shop that did the work wants to put some no-name NAPA shocks & do the front struts at same time. Can someone recommend something that is close to the ones I have or even the same? Not interested in raising the truck via shocks- it's hard enough for me to get in now LOL. I mostly drive mountain roads & the occasional graded fire road for fishing. Someone have some part numbers or better yet- some decent take-offs? Take off would be wonderful!Can I re-use the front springs or should I get a loaded strut. Remember, we have 171k miles here & am only driving the truck 5-7k miles a year. I'm going to need BFG tires soon & want to get the shock deal done first.

 

You'd probably be pretty happy with some Bilstein 4600's and their pricepoint shouldn't break the bank.

 

Original OEM Toyota Bilstein 2005-2015 TRD Off Road OEM shock part numbers are:

Front Left and Right: 48510-09U61
Rear Left and Right: 48530-A9680

You can find a complete new set on Ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2544592737...MIguXQwoPs9wIVQwJMCh2gkwD-EAQYAyABEgKpuvD_BwE

You can also go with what @drizzoh posted and get a set of 4600s which are a little different than the stock Off Road Bilsteins. If you want to change everything, shocks, springs and even the leafs you might want to look at getting a complete 3rd Gen TRD Off Road suspension. Alot of people sell them with low mileage when they upgrade their 3rd Gen Tacomas. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/review-3rd-gen-suspension-on-2nd-gen.542843/

 

Leafs were changed- I think from a recall. No issue there

 

Ordered the Bilsteins from Ebay link above, thanks. Messaged me back they are on BO. Should have them in a few weeks.

 

I am like you. I have a 2009 Sport and love the ride of the OEM Bilsteins. Likewise, no need or desire for a lift, the truck is set up perfect as is, IMO. I will probably eventually replace them with OEM spec units but at 126,000 my Bilsteins still have a ways to go.

 

My rears are leaking, fronts are fine but have 171k miles. I need new tires soon so need to get everything good. Just replaced tie rod ends & boots, sway bar ends & boots & new R&P & new front brakes & rotors several weeks ago.

 

That is a side benefit of my 2009 getting the Toyota frame rust spray treatment. That black stuff makes it hard to tell if the shocks are leaking. Unless they get REALLY bad. ;-)

 

I installed the Monroe quick front struts on my 09 Taco last month and have really enjoyed the ride since

$220 and 4 hours of my time

 

I've heard several people say the loaded Monroes raised their front over stock. I want to keep the current ride height.

4 hrs? Did you drop your lower a arms?

 

My frame is not rusty. Shocks are oily & 1 has a drip hanging on the bottom mount.

 

Can I just say that I feel bad for you? Paying a shop to do all that work? Must not be cheap. Im great full for being able to work on my own cars myself.

 

nope, same exact ride height. perhaps they ordered the wrong strut?

yes, I dropped the control arms and sway bar to allow easy clearance. it would be a beocth not removing them.

 

The replacement shocks for the originals factory shocks are Bilstein 4600’s. They are the recommended replacements but they are better built and far superior to the originals. They are almost exactly the same as 5100’s but are specifically for stock non-lifted trucks. Internally they are 99% the same as the 5100’s. I have them on my 2009 4x4 Taco and they are great. By the way you should have replaced your shocks and struts 70,000 to 100,000 miles ago.

 

Ive replaced front coils/shocks on two 2nd Gens using the method below. It was way easier than using a rented spring compresor or taking to a shop. Do it at your own risk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6u7dC7EHg

 

Now you tell me LOL
They still do their job, just started leaking. A testament to Bilstein shocks IMO.

 

Very smooth. Much better than the OE Bilsteins ever were. These are the Pro Truck OE replacements....not the Pro Truck Sport for lifted rigs.

 

My stock OE Bilsteins had 164k miles on them and still were not leaking.

 

Leaking is not the only way to determine if a shocks shot. Yes if they are leaking then they must be replaced. Shocks generally wear out long before there is any noticeable leaking. There are numerous other ways to determine a shock is done. Most shocks need to be replaced between 50,000 to 100,000 miles. If they make it to 100,000 miles, just like other maintenance items they should likely be replaced. Bad shocks affect handling, steering, they affect suspension, they hasten suspension component wear and failure they are dangerous and cause accidents. Shocks are one of the most overlooked replacement items.

 

Well, I did just replace the R&P, tie rod ends & sway bar ends. I'm guessing I'll see a big difference when the shocks get here. They emailed me today, shipping to me 5/3- 5/7.