Probably already posted but couldn't find one

I've got a 2015 Tacoma TRD Off-road with a A.R.E Utility shell on it. So, more weight on the back. It's at 127,000 miles and it's having a rougher ride and more sway in curves. I'm assuming it needs new shocks and struts? I believe it has Bilstein 4600's on it from the factory? However, I would love to put something way better on it for replacement without being ridiculous in price. I was thinking the Bilstein 5100's would be a good choice but I am looking for real world experience. I don't really do a whole lot of off-roading but I live in a rural area with a lot of rough dirt/gravel roads but a lot of highway travel as well. The only upgrades I've done so far because of the shell weight on it were Sumo springs to help when I'm carrying cargo. Help or point me to a post please, thanks! P.S. I'm not really interested in lifting it unless it's just an inch or so.

 

Bilstein 5100s and done. Your stock springs are probably tired as well, contributing to some of the sway/sag.

 

The 5100s would be a great improvement. At 127k I'd be looking for new springs too, but ultimately it's up to you.

Welcome to TW!

 

OME (Old Man Emu)makes good quality replacement suspensions for our trucks. I had 5100's on my truck , at 120,000 KM they were all blown and leaking oil.

 

Okay thanks, What's the best place to purchase from?

 

Okay thanks, what's the best place to buy from??

 

Vendors on here are known for their fair prices and customer service. I'd recommend Hotshot or Headstrong. @memario1214 should be able to get you on the right track.

 

So, I've been contemplating the input that a few of you have given and it's given me more questions. First question, when you all say replace the springs too, do you mean the leaf springs in the back as well? I'm having a hard time finding leaf springs that don't have a lift in them. Second question, if I do end up lifting it with new springs because the Bilstein 5100's can go up to 2 inch lift height, how high can you lift a 2015 Tacoma where it won't affect the length of the drive shafts and pinon angle? Plus, I live in Saluda, NC and I don't know who to even take it to to get these kind of things done. I feel like you need someone familiar with more than just regular shocks and struts if you start getting into lifting it. Maybe I'm over thinking it. Maybe I could do it myself, but when you change out struts, don't you have to get an alignment? I'm not a mechanic kind of guy, you want me to build you a high end AR-15, I'll do that all day everyday, but I get a little apprehensive about working on something I need as a daily driver.

 

If you install an AAL in the back that'll get you a small amount of lift and help cope with the weight of the shell. Most aftermarket leaf packs advertised are for lifting the truck, but RockAuto also has stock options from $130-400. I doubt your coils in the front are worn out, but they've got to come out to swap the shocks so if you find a deal on a set you could swap them. I've got low mileage stock springs and shocks sitting in the garage and I bet several other people do too, so you might be able to find your replacements on here.

As for the pinion angle, it'll change slightly but with the amount of weight you've got in the rear, lifting <1" should restore it back to stock angles. If you're changing suspension components, it is a good idea to get it aligned after just to keep everything healthy. Any decent shop should be able to swap out stock components for stock components, the biggest struggle will be telling them where you want the spring seat positioned on the front 5100s.

 

If you'd rather not lift it, consider Bilstein 4600s instead of 5100s. Per Bilstein, 5100s are intended for lifted trucks and 4600s are their preferred shocks for non-lifted trucks.
Your factory shocks are yellow Bilsteins but they are not 4600s -- yours are smaller diameter than 4600s.
FWIW, our '05 TRD OffRoad has an A.R.E. hard tonneau. I just replaced the shocks at 109K miles with (you guessed it) 4600s.

 

Really? The yellow Bilsteins that came from the factory aren't 4600's???

 

If you can be patient I bet you can find a good set of OEM take-off leaf springs to replace the ones you've got now. I just sold mine with about 10k miles for $100 a couple months ago. And any competent mechanic can change out your blown shocks and put in new leafs for you

 

Start by replacing all 4 shocks.

That alone may solve your rough & sway. If more attention is still needed on the rear, it can be done w/o impact to your new rear shocks.

(PS Tacoma's don't have struts, regardless of what internet sites call them)

 

I didn't think they were struts since they're on a truck front end but a lot of sites call them that. Therefore I was trying to keep terms on the same page. Struts are for front wheel drive cars, correct.

 

No they are not

 

Nope. I have posted the size difference somewhere but no time to look for it right now. I'll look later.

 

No need, I believe you. Just surprised. Thanks for the info. It's made my decision a lot easier.

 

Thanks everyone for your help. It's made my decision making much easier.

 

Yes, but.... that's not exactly what makes a strut a strut.
What we have is a coil-over shock. What confuses people is that to change it, you need a spring compressor.... similar to a strut.
Without going into design differences, if you can remove the shock and still have an attached functional suspension (in this case, upper & lower A-arms), it's not a strut.