Help with buying new shocks for my tacoma

I purchased a 2001 dbl cab tacoma with 170xxx miles on it. The ride seems to be a little rough from the rear end. I dont know if the seller had them replaced but it doesnt feel like it to me. My question is Im looking at the bilstein 5100 for the front and 5125 for the rear package. I have and dont plan to put a lift on my truck and I like the current height of the shocks thats on it just not the ride. I also heard something about leveling off the truck with these shocks being that some people said the the rear would be a little higher than the frt. I not for sure about this but I would like for some to chime in on the matter. Im looking for a smoother ride I dont tow a lot nor do I plan on doing so but I dont want to look like a monster truck driver either. Also what about replacing with the oem shocks? thx

 

the leveling off is a big question and the adjustment setting also....

 

you don't want the OEM shocks regardless of future lift plans. Toyota bilsteins aren't anywhere near the 5100's and Tockico (spelling?) sucks balls even worse

 

Shocks don't lift your truck.

Coils do.

If you leave the 5100s at 0'' its not going to lift it. and rear shocks aren't either.

they will work fine for replacements. 5100s or OME Nitrochargers are another good and popular choice.

 

Tacoma's (like most trucks) have a factory "rake" meaning the rear is higher than the front, on our trucks, by about 1''.

The front 5100's are adjustable. So if you like the stock ride height, but want to level the truck, you can adjust the 5100's to the first position above stock height and the truck will be level. The rear 5100's will be fine for a stock rear end.


And food for thought: If you want a smooth ride, a shock like OME will probably be better. The 5100's have a firmer valving and can be sorta stiff on the road.

 

The Rake that TacoMX described is for load leveling purposes... meaning when you have your bed filled with stuff, your truck will not look like it is up towards the sky. Any rake around 1-2 inches is fine.
People that go for levelness - waste of time and money.

 

why is it a waste of time and money? If someone wants the look of a "level" truck, then its not a waste for them.

Plus, who actually hauls enough weight in their bed to compress the suspension? Some people do haul a lot in their tacomas, but these people know how their suspension needs to be setup to handle it. Most people who have a truck will never put more than some tools and some misc. shit in their bed.

 

I must agree. I don't think anyone bought a tacoma with the intention of hauling large loads or towing more than a boat or small trailer. I like a level truck with actually a bit of bro lean (don't hate ) but just a bit.

 

why i have 2'' rake...lol

 

Well when you have 300lbs of lights in your bed you will need some rake to compensate

 

So, can someone give a good thread summation?

I need to replace my shocks some time and I don't want to lift it.

 

All the way around?

 

Stay away from walker evans.

 

Front and rear

 

Thanks!