Extending new bilsteins to replace rear shocks

Yes... He left out much information. But solid rear axle with leaf packs is pretty much the same setup though regardless of application when troubleshooting issues like this. My questions were vague and not directed at a certain gen. Just things for the OP to look out for and rule out.

Why do you guys get so bent out of shape when someone with a 3g posts in another gen section? My questions were not 3g specific.

 

That was my first thought.

Even a factory leaf pack can stretch longer than a factory shock allows.

 

2nd/3rd Genners post all the time! Super cool.

Just can't make the same assumptions about certain things like factory shocks that's all. But you are correct about everything else.

 

The truck is on the ground and I will get pictures once I am able to get the rear shocks off but I am not going to attempt that until I have shocks that will fit. I wish I could see the numbers impressed into the rear shocks but they are turned exactly where I cannot get a good view. The truck is on the ground currently but am I incorrect in the simple fact that the passenger an driver side rear shocks on my make an model are for sure different lengths and not by under an inch. You can tell just by looking with the naked eye that the passenger side is several inches longer. The new shocks I have are 1/4 to 1/2 inch difference in length and just not going to work.

 

You shouldn't have to extend your shocks to fit them if your truck's on the ground.

On the contrary, you'd have to compress them.

Had to do that more than a fair share of times whenever I'd switch my Fox to my Bilsteins and back again. Did this maybe 10 different times.

Was just too lazy to get my jack and jackstands so I'd get underneath and force them by hand. Took longer getting my tools than it did swapping them out.

 

Leaf springs were just replaced last week with General Springs regular duty springs. Was going to tackle the rear shocks today but that isnt going to happen. I am going to get the Toyota numbers off my shocks that are on the truck an see what is going on with that.

 

Something just isn't adding up so I am just as confused as you all. Have replaced the shocks struts leaf springs etc before and never had any issues.

 

With your truck on the ground, are you sure you're not accidentally accounting for driver lean?

Your shocks can compress at different rates on each side, considering your truck is on the ground. Any measurements of your shocks at this point are moot.

Only lifting your truck, with the wheels off the ground, will tell you how long your current shocks are.

 

It's not confusing, it's just that we don't think you're looking at things correctly.

Did you ever measure your current shocks with them off your truck? It's a 5 minute job, remove it and you'll see. Otherwise if you're only gauging their length while they're compressed, you will get an inaccurate measurement.

 

I appreciate the help an understand but without having the right down to the exact 1/8th of an inch measurement I can tell just by looking that the Bilstein I ordered is just to short to fit the passenger side. Thats why my initial question was about extending. The job isnt difficult I just dont wanna remove my rear shocks just to have to put them back on because without the new shock being several inches longer it will be WAY to short to reach the mounts. I will have the Toyota part numbers here shortly I am going to get it jacked up an take the tire off so I can see the part number. I will post when I get the numbers off but its very odd that the new shock is so short it wont even come close

 

I will say, jacking up the vehicle (you don't need to remove the tire at all) will take me longer than removing the rear shock as is

But answer me this; based on the link I provided and the measurements listed, do your new shocks measure out to the same extended length?

If so, just install them.

You'll laugh at yourself and think of this as a learning experience.

 

@Cland75 , did you ever figure out your last rear shock problem, and get your frame repaired?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1999-tacoma-4x4-rear-shock-wtf.767890/#post-27410884


Also, a simple picture of the shock you bought, held up to the shock on the truck would save everyone a ton of time, including yourself.

 

Hey Ryan yeah I got the frame fixed this is what it looked like when the gas tank got dropped. I have no idea how it didnt just snap in half the only thing holding it even remotely close together was the leaf spring mount.

 

And full update on what was going on with my shock lol. I am a dumba** they had fed a wire through the boot holding it compressed and I didnt see it. As soon as I clipped the wire it extended right where it needed to be. This wire was like a thread it was so small so I would love to have a spool of that stuff whatever its made of is stout!! Its like spiderwire fishing line.

 

SEE!

LEARNING EXPERIENCE!

I've always seen that flat plastic wrap, or wire ties, but nothing that even closely resembled fishing line.

 

I know me either....stuff like plastic cord....zip ties...things like that but this stuff was literally like spiderwire which I do love fishing with but those a**holes had to use it on these shocks just to have me waste half a day lol. I saw it and clipped it an the shock opened up nice an smooth so primed it a few times and slapped them on. So now thats Frame repaired..new sway bar links an bushings....new Regular duty General Springs leaf springs.....Bilstein 5100's with 880 coils on the front....4600's on the rear and all fluids front to back flushed or replaced. New tires an alignment being done next Wed and a wallet thats so empty I dunno why I needed a suspension at all but it sure will make road trips alot more tolerable. Oh an about 4 cans of fluid film which smells so good!

 

Until the OP posts some some exact measurements and photos. I think you may have possibly received box of returned shocks with the wrong ones in it.

 

Reading post 34 could have saved a few kernels from exploding in hot oil.

 

Hahaha.......the excitement is overwhelming at times!!

 

D'oh! Hey that works! Usually it's thick easily visible zip tie material. Glad it worked out, I was running out of ideas lol like damn maybe the frame is hella tweaked. Awesome news man.