Blew out stock OR shocks on rough road - what now?

I sometimes drive on oilfield roads for work and play in New Mexico. Today, after driving about 12 miles on a bumpy, but not washboarded, section I pulled over to see how hot the stock Bilsteins were getting.

Hot. Not too hot to touch, and not hot enough to melt the plastic dust cover, but the rear shocks were uncomfortably hot. Noticed some shock oil smeared along the shock body, but not actively dripping. A thin trail of oil on the fender liners.

Are these shocks toast? Would the dealer or Bilstein warranty these?

What's a good spring/shock upgrade if I want to haul down dirt roads?

The stock shocks have a decent ride and control over the rough stuff, but I guess they're not up to the task. Got about 350 pounds load in the bed at all times (aluminum topper + plywood sleeping/storage platform).

 

It's time .

 

The shocks are done. Replace them. I highly doubt Toyota will warranty them. You could try but then you will still have the same issue. Go to something bigger like Fox shocks or Bilstien 5160's. Something that has a good volume of fluid to shed heat on the rough roads.

 

Definitely don't want hot shocks off road. Look into at least 2 inch diameter shocks. Check out Fox 2.0s or Bilstein 6112s.

 

two of those icons

 

Definitely warranty if you can, or upgrade to some sport shocks

 

This is totally something out of my playbook for sure

 

The stock shocks for the OR are such garbage. Toyota should be embarrassed using them on the Tacoma. You can’t even get that size shock from bilstein. They don’t go that small-_-

 

If anyone was curious, here's what the rear shocks look like. Keep in mind some of the "wet" look is because it's raining today.

 

2.5's

 

Safe bets: 6112/5160 Combo, Fox 2.5 Front/2.0 Resi Rear, 5100's minimum

Bold bet: Ironman 4x4 Foamcell Pro's. A set up I've been very interested in and something that @Haslefre can tell you all about. @ColoradoHoosier also recently got them and likes them so far.

 

6112/5160's ftw, best budget suspension and most bang for your buck imo

 

^^^ excellent recommendation ^^^

 

@Haslefre How are your Foam Cell Pros holding up? How's the paint and the ride?

 

Yeah, those seem pretty dope.
https://ironman4x4america.com/ironman-4x4-stock-replacement-upper-control-arms-for-toyota-4runner-03-tacoma-05-fj-cruiser-lexus-gx470-gx460/

Stronger than steel? I don’t know, but some thought went behind these. The first I’ve seen them.

 

Wanna buy my stock offroad shocks? They’ve been sitting in my garage for years and only have 5k miles on them.

If you upgrade you’ll want a 2.0 or 2.5 shock.

 

I'd say good luck getting those warrantied... They look abused, not manufacture defected.

 

This. It's what I did. Far superior.

 

I got some rear Kings for sale.

 

Even 5100s or Nitrochargers would be a good upgrade over the stock shocks.