Time to replace shocks

Hello, I own a 2003 Tacoma TRD, V6, Auto, 4WD. I bought it used some time ago, seems to be in pretty good shape inside and out, very clean. The truck just rolled over 80k and I wish to replace the shocks front and rear, I thought before buying I would hit ya up and ask, any recomendations? It has what seems to be factory Bilsteins on it now.

 

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bilstein 5100's

 

x2 possibly most talked about subject on TW

 

The factory (yellow billies) shocks are awsome. I wouldnt switch brands unless you lift it.

 

Mine were still good at 150k, Compared to brand new Gabriel hydro's at least.

 

My 1999 non TRD V6 4X4 six lug has the original front shocks, springs, and rear leafs........hell I swerve to avoid a shadow. Good luck.(HINT HINT )

 

you know there is so much talk about this subject. im in the same boat as the op. seems everyone has an opinion on billys / ome's / eibach combos... my question is, does going up about an inch put any added stress to speak of on the cv's? obviously its a bit more angle then the factory intended. any thoughts? because if im going to drop $ on factory oem parts, may as well spend a little bit more and upgrade

 

Had just planned on leaving it stock, I want to replace shocks,Bilstein 5100's sound good to me from what I've read, is there any big deal replacing them though, was planning on doing it myself....do they come in a pre-set, that way they can be installed and just more or less forgot about.....

 

What.
I took mine off at 90k and with out the coils on them they
took about ten minutes to extend when I compressed them by hand.

also take off your sway bar. do it.

 

I saw on the front shocks is like a coil over type deal, when I replace the front set do the Bilstein 5100's come with the new coil spring also or do you re-use that existing spring? Are the Bilstein 5100's a direct replacement for my factory stock shocks, do I have to do any modification's for installation? I just put new tires on all the way around last week, after I install the new shocks do I need to have another front end alignment, I just did that when I purchased new tires... Also why would I want to remove front sway bar??

 

removing sway bar helps with articulation, and no the billys dont come with a new coil spring. For $150 more you can get some eibachs/toytec springs for a 3inch lift and a freaking awesome ride! the billys bolt in to the stock locations so no modding to any mounting hardware. Unfortunately yes you will have to get re-aligned but wait until whatever you get settles otherwise you will have to re-align twice.

 

Oh ok..thanks I think I'll stick with the stock ride height, going to go with the Bilsteins 5100's I guess. The stock springs should be good, so I'll just do the shock replacement. I didn't know you had to get an alignment after just installing new shocks lol....I don't want to take any chances though cause I just put on 4 new tires and would like em to last..ha ha after checking em out on "Down South Motorsports" I think I will just buy the complete set of 4...I guess it would not hurt to lift it 2.5"... if I don't like it I can change it back lol

 

You don't have to lift it with the billies... they just have an adjustable preload to lift the truck. You can leave it at 0 for stock height

 

I have no sway bar

If its stock i wouldn't recomend removing it. Cornering sucks with no sway bar, if you are turning and braking get ready for the pucker factor. When i put mine back it its like im driving a race car

 

If you buy Toyota shocks and have a Toyota dealership install the shocks, they become lifetime replacement/labor.

 

Ha ha..ok you talked me into it lol, I'll go with the 5100's, not sure what setting I'll be on yet but have time to think about that. I think I'll order the package set up from "Down South Motorsports", I'll keep my stock coil springs, I think I will do it myself and save the money lol I hope I like the way it turns out when I'm done...

 

Pshhh no sway bar makes turning way more fun!!!!