Shocks for Lifted 5 Lug

^^This. We have Spring Under Axles(SUA). Putting a block between the spring and axle for us will cause our axles to sit heigher, which means a lower rear.

Stock prerunners run 4600s(Yellow). Don't buy into the it's new($200) Bullshit. 4600s are throwaways in the TW Community. I sometimes see them up for sale in exchange for a 6 pack of beer. I picked up a all around 4600s set for $40 on here.

 

I got my first set for $30 and my second for a case of beer. I changed the shocks because I wanted to see if newer shocks made a difference.....they didn't really

 

OK, I'm reporting back on the rear Fox shocks install. One word -- WOW!!! Feels like a totally different truck. I'm gliding over speed bumps like a ballerina.

 

Upgraded shocks in our trucks == pay no mind to the speed-bumps in the school-zone! Hope you enjoy them!

 

How different are the fronts from the 6-lug trucks? As I understand it we can use the struts themselves, but the shock mount (what I call the top hat) is different?

I am asking because I am looking for a complete strut/spring assembly and find some sites that list the KYB strut plus (complete assembly) as fitting all models.

 

Front ends are entirely different - different geometry, different LCA and UCA's, different springs - not even the same suspension frame-tabbing as is found on the 6 lugs.

Going by my own personal frame of reference - 4600 Bilstein struts are the same length as the OEM shocks for a 5-lug - in a lift for our trucks, the lift increase comes from the front spacer itself - not the strut length. With that spacer, you are also maxing out the LCA/UCA in terms of maximum extension for re-alignment of the front end, as well as respecting clearances between various components, that might hard or soft-interference contact while under suspension travel otherwise.

I bring up the 4600's because, while the strut is physically the same length as an OEM replacement - the difference is in the quality of the strut, vs OEM - that's all one can really hope for, going with the level/lift kits.

I don't believe that you can just substitute another strut, that is longer than the OEM strut.

 

You got it backwards. We're able to use 6Lug back shocks. The front struts/could are what we can't use from a 6 Lug. 6Lug front struts are like 3-4ins longer.

 

Also - be careful in ordering parts online - always check twice and try to cross-reference to a known good part number/specs, to verify that it'll work with our 5-lugs.

I've noted over the past few years of parts googling, that there are more than a few sites, in which the 5-lug variant is not specified, or otherwise is erroneously mashed in with the 6-lug 2wd's.

 

If you decide to upgrade the front, the strut should look something like this

 

Thanks guys!

 

Upgreading is super worth it. My truck rides so much better after switching to Bilstein but, in all fairness my OEM struts and shocks were toast by the time I switched. I'm also really happy with my 2" spacer and aal from ebay. Just my thoughts...

 

Same, my fronts probably couldn't even hold a paper napkin. Let alone my truck

They were done for.

 

I"m pretty sure my fronts are gone but I'm holding out for uca's hopefully during the summer.

 

So when I replace the fronts struts I want to replace all of the other wear items. Shock mount, bushings etc.

My only concern is that some websites list 5-lug and 6-lug as having the same shock mount. I want to make sure I get the right thing.

 

Just to add my 2 cents.

I run Prerunner rear shocks. Perfect length for the added lift and still internally valved correct for a Tacoma.

 

do you know what the size of the prerunner rear shocks are?

 

5 Lug base model: http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/37279

6 Lug Prerunner:
http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/37280

Valving is slightly firmer but will work fine due to the AAL. Been running these for a while now.
My Fat Bob's oil shocks blew the seals after one day on the Eagle Ford lease roads.

 

Are you running Monroe's?

 

I do in the rear. They work well. The fronts currently are KYB but they are getting tired. The front squats too much when braking but I don't have any odd tire wear yet so they are staying for now. I have some Bilstein shocks for the front that will go on by the end of the year or early next year.

 

I was considering Monroe quick struts up front since the springs have to have lost some spring rate by 250k. I read so many mixed reviews that I ultimately went with 4600's and new Moog bushings, and keeping the stock springs.

If I had read that you liked them I might have gone that route.