5Lug-Rear shock install

Hello. I'm looking for some info on how difficult it is to install new shocks on the rear of my 2015 Taco 5lug. I was reading through and older thread on here which stated that 6lug Tacos you can replace rear shocks without lifting the truck or anything. Which sounds very simple. What have your experiences been with replacing rear shocks on a second gen 5lug? It seems my best bet might be to have a shop do it since I don't have a lift. I would prefer to do it myself. But from looking at the rear there's not much room to work with.

I was quoted $90 labor minimum for a set of rear Bilstein 4600s to be installed by a local shop which I would supply. Shocks should be arriving tomorrow at my house.

Also it seems almost every shock manufacturer that fits the 5lug trucks is on backorder for the front shocks at least. KYB is on backorder, Bilstein is on backorder for the front left shock for the last 5 months. That's why I only ordered the rears. What do you guys recommend when comparing Rancho vs OEM Toyota 5lug shocks. The only aftermarket option I can find that's available for the fronts seem to be Rancho. So Rancho vs OEM seem to be my options currently available.
Thanks for any advice guys.

 

I did my original rear shock swap in my college dorm room parking lot lol. The hardest part is keeping the shock shaft from spinning when you take off the old shocks.

There are 2 ways I found to do it
1. Use a lever wrench to hold the shaft (wayyyyy better than vice grips)
2. Make a notch on the shaft with a Dremel or angle grinder and then use a wrench or vice grip to hold it. Since you're not shoving a longer shock in it shouldn't be too hard to wiggle it in.

The weight of the vehicle is held up by the leaf springs so a floor jack is mainly to make it easier to shove the shock in its new home. I would save the $90 for other mods/beer.

Now the front is a little hard but even then I would still suggest people to give it a try if they are even remotely interesting in home mods.

I would check Amazon and ebay for the front 4600s as usually when they list it they have to have inventory.

 

Hey 5-Lug Fury. Thanks a lot for the detailed response man! I'm definitely gonna attempt to do the rears myself after reading your reply.

I really think your lift progress thread is awesome and very helpful! Was just looking through it. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-lift-progress-with-photos.446409/