New to Suspension Mods

Now I've never ever changed my suspension on any of my Tacomas that I've had. One, because I didn't know how and two, I really couldn't afford it. So, I've got plans to get a hybrid front bumper and I'm installing 31x10.5x15 Falken Wildpeaks ATs. Now I know I need new suspension so I thought I'd upgrade to some new ones. I don't do much off-roading but I do here and there. Not sure there are some shocks that give you some type of lift or not. What do you all recommend I go with?

 

If all you are wanting to do is level it out and compensate for the weight of the bumper, then a set of Bilstein 5100s is probably your best bet.

 

So I've seen Three types of 5100 series bilsteins,

5100 Lifted Light Truck/SUV
5100 Ride Height Adjustable
5100 Steering Damper

Now I don't want to change the height of my truck because I think it sits pretty well right now, what would be my best bet out of these three options?

 

We've had a lot of problems with the 51 series from bilstein up here, mostly due to cold I think, so OME gets my vote. Can't seem to keep them on the shelf up here.

 

I'm not trying to lift my truck though. I just want a smoother ride.

 

I got the 5100 for my front and rear, I love em so far, they do stiffen up the ride a little more but handling improved overall. You don't get that squishy feeling around corners or over bumps, the truck feels much more planted to the ground and feels great on the highway. I have my front set at the 3rd notch which raised the front end nearly 2 inches.

It however made the front about 1-1/2 inch higher than the rear, driving around with the front higher made me dizzy so I forked over the money and got a set of Toytec 1.5" add a leaf for my rear, now the rear sits about 1inch higher than the fronts. I love the rake so I don't mind it, I actually prefer it, I figure once I get my Leer Canopy in it'll weight the back down. The add a leaf kit will stiffen the rear end, but for a good cause because I believe the Tacoma leaf springs are super soft thus the truck likes to sway around a lot.

Just by doing the suspension mods I have done really improved the ride, my back no longer hurts on long drives, I drive an hour to work everyday and an hour back home.

I would recommend the Bilstein 5100's they are definitely better than the OEM Bilsteins.

If you set them to the first notch up front and just install the rear as is without a lift, I really think you'll like them. They ride really good, The cold hasn't affected mine at all.

 

So I've been doing some research and I'm looking to get the bilstein 5100 series. But these websites keeps telling me that my truck needs the 4600 series. I have an 05 regular cab Tacoma 5 lug.

 

I ordered mine from 4wheel parts, If you get both front Struts and 2 rear shocks and add them to your shopping cart individually and not buy the Package offer they got, you can save more money by using this coupon code: CC5OFF. The coupon code does not work when you buy the strut/shock package. Always nice to save.

 

so i recently just bought a tacoma. 2012 TRD sport double cab, short bed. I want to lift it an inch or so, not more than 2 so i can put some bigger A/T tires. I live in new england and we're about to have a crazy winter. if i get 4 5100's for the front and rear, will that be good enough? or will the rear be higher than the front like it happened to you

 

Setting the front to 1.75 caused my front to be about 1inch higher than the rear. It bugged me so that I lifted the rear 1.5inches using an add a leaf kit so that made the rear 1inch higher than the front which I like more and actually prefer. Having that rake really improves the driving experience, at least for me.

Now it may differ for you. I've seen some, where setting the front to 1.75inch actually leveled the entire truck just fine.

Set it to the second notch from the bottom at .85inch I think and that will give you the 1inch lift you want for the front, if setting it at 1.75 (3rd notch) causes your front end to be higher than your rear unless of course you like a higher front end. Lol sorry it's kind of a mess to explain.

 

Awe man, is this thread dead? I'm needing some of the same advice. I have a 2wd 6 lug Prerunner that I like to take trail riding a couple times a month and go camping in remote NorthGA mountains once every 2 months. Obviously, that's taken a toll on the stock suspension and it's starting to squeak. I'm buying in pieces for now to put it all on at once. I'm getting new polyurethane bushings for front and rear, haven't really decided on shocks yet (thinking Bilstein), wanting to replace my springs at the same time (I think the fronts are good, back really needs new ones). I'm buying new rotors this weekend (much needed) and most likely going with Centric Premium High Carbon Brake Rotors
and found a great deal on a camper top I just couldn't pass up, Though I know that's going to kill my shocks even more.

So that's my plan for now. I guess my biggest concern is, does this seem like the best course of action? I'm still not made of money but I'm getting better. Let me know what you guys think, if you're still there.

 

For what it's worth, I put 5100's all around with the front at 1.75 and it leveled me out completely. But down the road I put Eibach 620's and set the bilstein back to 0.

 

Did that lift it? I looked at Eibach and it looked like they were for lifts.(EDIT: just looked closer and saw they don't lift the Tacoma.) I'm like the last guy, hoping to keep my height the same stock height. It already has the highest stock ground clearance of all the trucks, full and mid size. The difference between he and I is that I have the 6 lug access cab. He just has regular 5 lug so they may suggest different shocks for him.

 

Well I have a double can V6 4x4, so it might be different for you. The Eibach coils didn't lift me too much honestly it's about maybe a half inch higher in front than it was stock. The bilsteins at 1.75 and stock coils gave me more lift but the ride was shitty

 

Yeah, the 4x4 adds about 400lbs of weight in the front, which is why I want to keep it 2wd. I know that limits my off roading but I only trail ride, nothing too serious. Just want it to be more comfy for my lady friend and my dog. Thanks for the input. Have you updated your brakes? If so, what'd you replace the stocks with?

 

no problem. The pads and rotors are OEM

 

Really? That's what my buddy was telling me but I didn't want to believe him. Gotcha!

 

So i bought the truck used at 58k, the car fax said that the front pads were changed at 53K at the dealer. its at 63k now. im assuming the rotors are OEM original too. I plan on getting new/better pads though. nothing wrong with the brakes but i personally like strong braking power, enough to jerk you outta your seat

 

Agree, I'm going with OEM rotors (my truck has 214k + miles on it and still going strong, no leaks at least) but since I want new shocks and bushings sooner than later, going OEM sounds good to me. I'll get the ceramic pads though