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New Shocks&Struts/Tailgate?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 03tacoma.2, Apr 12, 2017.

  1. Apr 12, 2017 at 6:24 AM
    #1
    03tacoma.2

    03tacoma.2 [OP] Member

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    Looking to get new shocks/struts for my truck due to the old ones being pretty rusted out. Was curious what you all would recommend?

    Also, I have a rust on the bottom right section of my tailgate and that is the only rust on the truck after the frame swap. I have been looking at getting a new tailgate as the hinge on the one I have now is almost rusted through. Any thoughts?
     
  2. Apr 12, 2017 at 9:34 AM
    #2
    sirsaechao

    sirsaechao Well-Known Member

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    You can order stock replacement TRD yellow Bilstein, Bilstein 5100's, 5125's are all great options. I replaced my stock TRD's rear shocks with the same ones before I did my lift.
     
  3. Apr 12, 2017 at 9:42 AM
    #3
    ClevSix

    ClevSix Well-Known Member

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    #3
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  4. Apr 12, 2017 at 9:58 AM
    #4
    vasinvictor

    vasinvictor Junkie

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  5. Apr 12, 2017 at 11:45 AM
    #5
    03tacoma.2

    03tacoma.2 [OP] Member

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    Excellent thank you all very much!
     
  6. Apr 12, 2017 at 4:06 PM
    #6
    nmiller08

    nmiller08 Well-Known Member

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    If you've got a pick/pull junk yard nearby that might be your best (cheapest) option for a tailgate even if you need to re-paint it. Where are you at? Risk is that if you live in an area where you've now needed a frame replacement and have a rusty tailgate, any similar aged crashed tacomas may have body rust as well. Worth a look or call though.
     
  7. Apr 12, 2017 at 5:29 PM
    #7
    03tacoma.2

    03tacoma.2 [OP] Member

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    I'm in the central Ohio area so most of the trucks here get pretty eaten up by the salt. May look down south if possible and get it shipped up my way. No functional issues just doesn't look very good.
     
  8. Apr 12, 2017 at 7:11 PM
    #8
    lucky13don

    lucky13don Well-Known Member

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    just order bilstein 5100's from wheelers.great deal and a vendor on the site.and thats a great price on the ebay tailgate..hmm
     
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  9. Apr 12, 2017 at 7:40 PM
    #9
    ClevSix

    ClevSix Well-Known Member

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    Especially once you figure out that the price includes shipping...
     
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    #9
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  10. Apr 12, 2017 at 7:45 PM
    #10
    Soccerdallin

    Soccerdallin Well-Known Member

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    My two cents is I recently installed Fox 2.0 coilovers in the front which had never been replaced, and replaced my rear shocks with Billstein 4600's. It rides brand new! I don't have any more tire rub like I used to in the front since I have more clearance. Any new shocks will be great!
     
  11. Apr 13, 2017 at 6:01 AM
    #11
    03tacoma.2

    03tacoma.2 [OP] Member

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    I was looking at the Billstein 5100's on Wheelers website. I noticed the different notches for the different ride heights. Since I only have stock springs and stock heights can I only run the stock notch setting? Or can I run an extra inch of clearance or so?
     
  12. Apr 13, 2017 at 11:38 AM
    #12
    Soccerdallin

    Soccerdallin Well-Known Member

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    I'm not sure about the 5100's, I pushed my Fox Coilovers up 2" and it's been great. I had new springs too though. I would think you'd be okay but not sure!
     
  13. Apr 13, 2017 at 1:14 PM
    #13
    sirsaechao

    sirsaechao Well-Known Member

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    Yes you can preload your stock TRD springs. Me, on the other hand while I have the spring compressor already taking the old shocks off, why not just wait and get some new replacement springs with the new 5100's? That's just me tho, since you are already replacing the shock and having to use a spring compressor now would be the time to replace the coil springs too. Stock TRD springs are progressive rated so the will be a much stiffer ride than a non progressive rated OME springs.
     
  14. Apr 13, 2017 at 1:40 PM
    #14
    03tacoma.2

    03tacoma.2 [OP] Member

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    Okay that's a good point. So if I decided to get new springs and the 5100's and go with the lifted setting will the truck sit all goofy with the front higher than the rear?
     
  15. Apr 13, 2017 at 2:18 PM
    #15
    sirsaechao

    sirsaechao Well-Known Member

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    I think the correct term is bro lean. You can keep the 5100's in the stock height as well and not get any lift at all. They don't need to be lifted if you like the stock rear height. Worst case you can throw on a long AAL in the rear to compensate if you decide to run it in the middle setting.
     
  16. Apr 13, 2017 at 2:43 PM
    #16
    03tacoma.2

    03tacoma.2 [OP] Member

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    The way the truck rides right now it has some sag in the front so I'm hoping the mid setting will level it out some.
     
  17. Apr 15, 2017 at 12:27 AM
    #17
    Soccerdallin

    Soccerdallin Well-Known Member

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    My had some sag in the front, but now it is a great level. Looks way better.
     
  18. Apr 19, 2017 at 2:54 PM
    #18
    03tacoma.2

    03tacoma.2 [OP] Member

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    Got Billstein 5100's on the way from DownSouth motor sports. Got the package deal today around 10:20 and they are showing delivered to my door tomorrow. Can't wait to see em.
     
  19. Apr 24, 2017 at 3:37 PM
    #19
    03tacoma.2

    03tacoma.2 [OP] Member

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    Got the rears put on. Doing fronts w/ 2" level within the next few days.

    IMG_1205.jpg
     
  20. Apr 24, 2017 at 3:49 PM
    #20
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    No, you can run whatever notch you want. The notches just indicate which (approximate) ride height you would get, not which ride height they are compatible with. I have mine on the middle setting with stock springs.

    I'm at some point (soon I hope) going to replace everything, though, since my stock springs are warns out, and my leafs look like a "W". Going with something like the ICON long travel coilovers, but I do a fair amount of off roading with it.

    If you just want stock replacements, get the Bilstein 4600's (not adjustable, stock height). If you want a little lift, get the 5100's (compatible with stock springs or OME springs). If your springs are worn out and you don't want a *ton* of performance gain, get an OME setup on all four corners. There are a TON of lift/suspension threads, just search for OME or 5100 or something for more info.
     

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