1st gens: What shocks to buy after rear lift

I've always heard 5100s (rear) don't work on 1st gen 5-lugs but I've never heard solid reasoning why so I thought I'd just order them and see for myself. They don't fit. The eyelet bushing holes are too big for the shock mounting studs. Haven't had any luck finding aftermarket bushings that would fit either. Those of you who have longer shackles or AAL, what shocks are you guys using?

 

I know a few 2nd gen 5 lugs with an aal that use the 5100s not sure about 1st gens though. Im a second gen and Im running fox shocks with a aal and a shackle flip

 

Can always count on 5 Lug Fury to chime in sooner or later! Thanks for the info tho, I've been riding without rear shocks for months now and I am over it, but it beats having shocks that are way too short.

 

Just glad I can help also I forgot to mention 5100's are only for the rear....they will not fit up front.

Without shocks??? Dam your must be bouncy as hell

 

Very

 

Bump. I know fabtech sells shocks with their AAL kit, might just go with those since I have their AAL already. Still open to suggestions.

 

I went through the same thing with my 5-lugger. I wanted to get Bilsteins for the rear and took a chance on 5125's since the ones for the Tacoma provide a little more lift than the 5100's. You are right that the eye bushings in the shocks don't fit. I cant remember where I found this information, but there are some Energy Suspension eye bushings you can get to make them fit. I am assuming these would work for 5100's as well, but I am not sure. Here's what I picked up:

$9 Energy Suspension 9.8108G 3/4" Hourglass Shock Eye Bushing

Energy Suspension 9.8108G 3/4" Hourglass Shock Eye Bushing

Here's a photo of them mounted:



I got the Bilstein 33185590 Shock Absorber for the driver's side, and the Bilstein 33185606 Shock Absorber for the passenger's side. I got the idea from Wheeler's Off-Road website. The passenger's side shock has slightly more travel and is longer extended. You could go with shocks the same length, though. I measured the stock ones at ride height and the passenger side was ~0.75" longer, but when removed from the truck both sides were the exact same part with the same exact travel. My thinking is that as long as you have enough travel you can match up both sides with the same shock, but the extra travel may not be utilized on the driver's side as a result. Some kits have the longer shock on the passenger's side and some don't. Maybe I solved the mystery... don't know, but it worked out for me. I hope that helps!

 

Thank you for this info! I just ordered me some. Finally I can install my 5100s haha I never thought I'd see the day.

 

No problem, let us know how it goes. I hope it works out.

I won't THJ, but I may need your help answering some questions around my front-end. I have been reading some of your other threads, and will post the questions where it relates (or I can PM you). Just a heads up...

 

Yeah dude I'd be happy to help. Feel free to ask whatever whenever

 

@z_thompsonpa,
I may be wrong but from looking at your picture I think you installed your 5125's upside down... I know the 5100 are installed with the boots up and from what I've researched and per Wheelers off road the 5125's are to be installed with boot down (label should be readable/ right side up).

 

Wow, thanks! I probably never would have known had you not said something. I totally overlooked that during the install.

That explains why the drain holes in the boots were in the top (in the photo). I ended up punching my own (bottom in the photo). I still have the instructions (which I never read) that came with the shocks to help verify, but glad to know somebody is looking out.

 

I'm so glad there are members on this board such as yourself, Shubin. Salt of the earth my friend. In light of the OP, I read the instructions when I buy a new toaster.

 

Did somebody say "OP" ?!?!?

 

lol... I wasn't going to correct him.

I remembered my reasoning for installing them upside-down... It was the orientation of the stock shock absorbers. I also remember thinking that the logo being upside-down was a little odd.

Would you guess the Bilstein instructions included in the packaging don't mention anything about mounting orientation?

They only mention installing them wrong is dangerous.. a full page of safety warnings and then repeated in all the languages of the world... Useless!

I have since confirmed what @Shubin stated, though, here.

In other news, I dug up the toaster directions from my recent purchase and they were just as useless as the Bilstein ones...