1st gen Tacoma rear shock help

Hey there, I was just reinstalling my factory rear shocks on my 2002 Tacoma as I just removed my airbags on the truck (airbags are for sale if interested) as there are the 5100s that require the lift, and I am not currently at stock height. But does the longer shock go on the drivers side or passenger side. Thanks.

 

Not having any idea what might have been done.

Why do you have 2 different length rear shocks ??

From new they should be the same.

 

Should be same length

 

I've heard of some people who run different spring rates for more weight on one side, but that's custom and kinda weird. And this has nothing to do with shocks

 

Longer shock goes on the passenger side; they're not equal length between the 2 of them.

 

Hmm, I guess I know a guy who put the wrong shocks on his truck

 

Oof

The way the shocks are setup doesn't attribute to an equal length setup.

This becomes more apparent when you're upgrading for a more specific purpose such as off-roading where suspension travel is very important.

 

I guess mine are wrong as well .

Must have been a bad day learn something new all the time .

 

Two different lengths: Collapsed / Extended lengths:

• BIL BE5-D559-TO 5100 Rear Shock, 95-04 Tacoma, Driver Side, 13.9" x 21.6"
• BIL BE5-D560-TO 5100 Rear Shock, 95-04 Tacoma, Passenger Side, 14.7" x 22.6"

 

You forgot the other style meant for minimal lift, also Bilstein 5100's

$104 33-247724 Bilstein 5100 Series 96-04 Toyota Tacoma Rear Left 46mm Monotube Shock Absorber (33-247724)

33-247724 21.26 EXT 13.62 COL Driver side shock

$96 33-247717 Coupling, 3/4" (50)

33-247717 22.09 EXT 14.07 COL Passenger side shock

 

I ran into the same issue during my install. Had to google part numbers and run thru a couple of pages before I found the answer.

 

Shorter shock goes on the driver side since the brake like is there and too much droop with oem length hose is never a good idea.

 

Any idea why KYB's appear to be excluded from this requirement?
I was looking at TRQ shocks & there was a review regarding this R/L thing. The length & I guess the ID of the bushing being another clue. He kept the front assemblies & gave 'em thumbs up, but returned the rears. The whole thing piqued my interest. Went to a taco parts site & sure enough, whether your a TRD or not, R/L. I had noticed the KYB exclusion earlier, so back to this TRQ site to post the following examples....

"THIS PART REPLACES:

• KYB 344428
• OE # 48541A9010
• OE # 48531A9040
• Monroe 37113
• Monroe 37032"

"THIS PART REPLACES:

• Hollander 527-50481L
• Hollander 527-50481R
• $73 Monroe 171352R Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly for Toyota Tacoma
  Monroe 171352R
• $72 Monroe 171352L Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly for Toyota Tacoma
  Monroe 171352L
• KYB 344428
• Monroe 181352R
• Monroe 181352L
• OE # 48541A9010
• OE # 48531A9040
• Monroe 37113
• Monroe 37032"

 

I’m not following you here ?
The KYB, OE and Monroe numbers are the same on both lists ?

 

Correct. Just using two examples to make my point, or rather, pointed question. Although maybe that just confused it cuz the second list has front assemblies & this post is about the rear shocks. My bad.... Point is, using the first list, there are two OE, L & R specific. There are two Monroe, L & R specific. There is one KYB, non side specific.... Why does side specific matter with the others (other brands as well), but not KYB?