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Installed rear leafs-need shock suggestions

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by trdracing5, Oct 23, 2012.

  1. Oct 23, 2012 at 10:17 AM
    #1
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I just put new Pro Comp rear leafs on my tacoma. It lifted the rear up close to 3 inches.
    Needless to say the shocks I had will no longer work as they are too short.
    I was told to measure from the center of the top shock mount to the center of the bottom shock mount to determine the minimum shock length I need. I did and I am at 21.5 inches from top to bottom.

    Does anyone know what shock length I should consider? (Of course I know I will need something longer than 21.5 inches).

    I found some shocks that are 22.375 extended length and 14.11 compressed.
    Is that extended length enough?

    If not what should my ideal extended length be?
     
  2. Oct 23, 2012 at 10:19 AM
    #2
    acdronin

    acdronin Well-Known Member

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    Bilstien 5100 long or the 5150 (?) are pretty popular for the price, if you have the $ Fox or King reis are really choice.
     
  3. Oct 23, 2012 at 10:36 AM
    #3
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Not looking to spend a BUNCH of money on the shocks.
    I like the bilstein D559/560 shocks but can't find the extended length specs on them and they are just a bit outside of my price range.
     
  4. Oct 23, 2012 at 10:37 AM
    #4
    acdronin

    acdronin Well-Known Member

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    IDK the answer to that, maybe try searching that model shock here and possibly asking some active members
     
  5. Oct 23, 2012 at 10:50 AM
    #5
    TMW

    TMW Well-Known Member

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    Light bar and bumper guard, 3/16 steel skid plates for engine, tranny and transfer box, OME 881 springs with 5100 shocks at mid clip. AAL in rear. Positraction rear diff.
    I have 3 inch lift and I went with the 5125 series Bilstein part number F4-BE5-A463-H7.
    9.24 inches of travel, 24.35 extended and 15.11 colapsed.
     
  6. Oct 23, 2012 at 12:41 PM
    #6
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  7. Oct 23, 2012 at 5:41 PM
    #7
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok if the bank will not let me purchase the Bilsteins what would my second choice be?
    Are any of these brands ok?
    Rancho
    Pro Comp
    Rough Country
     
  8. Oct 23, 2012 at 5:47 PM
    #8
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    This, I was just going to suggest the 5125's w/around 9" travel for a 3" lift
     
  9. Oct 23, 2012 at 5:54 PM
    #9
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now

    The Bilsteins aren't going to empty your wallet & for the $$ Their performance is unmatched, which ever way you go make sure they're going to give you the travel you need....
     
  10. Oct 23, 2012 at 6:41 PM
    #10
    TallTacoma

    TallTacoma Bear fvcker!

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    Come and take it from my cold, dead hands.
    3" suspension lift (ToyTec coilovers and wheeler leafs), Yakima roof rack, ARE tonneau, K&N FIPK.
    I slapped on some 5125s when I lifted mine.
     
  11. Oct 23, 2012 at 6:44 PM
    #11
    Dick4x4

    Dick4x4 Well-Known Member

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    I went with the Bilstein 10" travel. BE5-6248-H5. They are 26" extended, 16" collapsed. So the middle of the travel is at 21". Your setep seems to be at the same position as on my truck. That way you gonna have as much drop as compression. Be sure to extend your stock bump stops of 3" if you think you could go to full compression. Otherwise your shock will act as the bump stop and it can damage them. If you buy your shocks from a place where they don't ship with the right bushings for Toyotas you're gonna have to buy two sets of 98108 energy suspension or similar hourglass type bushings. they are like 10$, pretty cheap.

    What is your opinion about the procomp leafs? Did you ride them yet? Did you modified something on them? 3" of lift from them seems not that much as they are WAY arched. But it depends how your truck was before. Do you think you could measure the center axle to the wheel well for me just to compare?

    Thanks
     
  12. Oct 24, 2012 at 8:23 AM
    #12
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I really like the amount of lift the Pro Comp leafs provided. Installation was a bitch (as any leaf spring installation would be) because I pretty much had to do it myself in the driveway with no air tools.
    I will try and get some measurements soon.
     
  13. Oct 24, 2012 at 7:23 PM
    #13
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok decided that I needed shocks immediately and didn't have the funds for the Bilsteins so I opted for a set of Skyjacker Hydro 7000 Shocks.
    I got both of them for less than what one Bilstein would have cost.
    I still plan on (eventually) purchasing some Bilsteins but will have to make these work for now.
     
  14. Oct 24, 2012 at 7:37 PM
    #14
    Dick4x4

    Dick4x4 Well-Known Member

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    As long as they are proper lenght I wouldn't see why they couldn't make the job done!
     
  15. Oct 29, 2012 at 8:06 AM
    #15
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Here are some quick measurements before and after installing the Pro Comp leaf springs.
    Left side-measured from ground up
    Before: 36 5/8"
    After: 40 1/2"

    It looks like the Pro Comp leafs gave me about 4" of lift on the left side.
     
  16. Oct 31, 2012 at 7:37 PM
    #16
    Dick4x4

    Dick4x4 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that!
     

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