Recommendation on Shocks

Hey guys. Curious on everyone’s opinion. I’m looking to change my shocks out on my 2012 Tacoma 4x4. What does everyone recommend for the best ride?

 

Stock height? Lifted? Towing? No single good answer without knowing all the variables. If keeping it stock I'd save a few bucks and look for some new/gently used take-offs from a 3rd gen in the classifieds.

Lots of info in the Suspension sub-forum: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/suspension.18/

 

It has a leveling kit on front think 2”. Other than that stock. Only think I tie is my boat and occasionally a trailer. I have the yellow billsteins on my truck now and they are rough

 

Can't go wrong w/ 5100's all around IMO if you're trying to save a few bucks. 6112/5160's if you're trying to impress the ladies

 

You may impress the ladies with 6112/5160s but slap a King, Icon, ADS, or Fox sticker on the 6112/5160s if you want to drop panties.

 

just paint your coils blue, the ladies wont know the difference

 

I've gone through several sets of 5100s. Good shocks for the price. I have been a big promoter of them over the years, but I've found that I enjoy the ride of the OME shocks much more. They're worth the extra $$.

 

Which OME shocks have you ended up with?

 

Are the OMEs softer on road compared to the 5100s?

 

"Enjoying" them can mean a lot of things. Maybe you like the color of them. The way they felt when you lifted 'em outta the box. Maybe you drive a mile and a half of smooth roads to work at the shopping bazaar and like the way they gyrate your keister. Please shoot us a few more details as to why you "enjoy" them. Thanks, sport.

 

I have the 90021 up front, and prefer the ride over 5100s. The ride is more smooth over washboard and potholes, compared with 5100s (885 coils). I drive a lot on rough roads and do far less wheeling than I used to. I still have B110s in the rear. I blow one of them out on average about every other year. I'll be going to OME for the rear on my next swap. I have one lightly blown B110 right now. I'll still put some miles on it first though.

 

I have the yellow and blue billsteins on now and they are crazy rough. Has anyone on here ever heard of Detroit Axle brand struts and are they good or cheap

 

You have a 2” spacer I read? That will make your ride harsh.

a lot of people say the yellow bilstien shocks that come from the factory on the trd off road are soft. If you are on a budget, I would find some 3rd gen bilstien shocks and install those without the spacers. You will get a inch lift from the 3rd gen set up and they will be softer then what you have now.

installing more expensive shocks like the the bilstien 6112/5160 or icons will actually make the truck stiffer for daily driving. It firms up the truck on the road but makes it better off road to handle the big bumps

 

It rode just as rough before the leveling kit

 

Go through Headstrong, ask for Marie. They have a great selection of packages and won’t steer you wrong.

@HeadStrong Off-Road FTW

 

Agree to call Headstrong, however they were sold and Marie is no longer there (retired if I remember but don’t hold me to it). I’ve read here new ownership is good too. Accutune and Wheelers are also both highly recommended.

 

. Appreciate the updated info