Help with getting the right suspension (please)

Hey Everybody,

I have a 2005 Tacoma TRD sport. My stock struts/shocks seem to be rotting and I am getting a bit of sag in the front (the back still looks pretty decent).

I am trying to purchase the best loaded strut option (for quality/performance/look). It would be great if the front height could match the rear (however...I'm sure the back suspension probably needs replacing too... 110k with originals still on it...)

I plan on keeping stock wheels/current tires. Pretty much trying to get her back to her stock look (with a slight increase in height).

Any suggestions and help are much appreciated (brand/model/etc).

Thank you for your help. Stay safe and take care.

 

The best value is going to be free or cheap take off Bilstein suspension from a new Tacoma that they upgraded.

You will get a 1” lift up front which you’ll have to resolve with the rear.

 

I would look in the for sale forums here there are a lot of people who take the suspension off the third GEN which easily fits on a second GEN and I think that’ll be right up your alley

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate your help.

I am not seeing any close by/willing to ship.

That being said, would these do the trick?

https://www.suspensionconnection.co...sYobFDdLwk72DbC_nLdwX0y_dIXchqXxoC7NQQAvD_BwE

 

I have a set of take off TRD shocks from a new Tacoma I'm looking to offload. They're off a 2021 with less than 1000 miles. I have them listed on the market place page. Looking for $220 shipped.

 

I have a 2013 TRD stock. A few months ago I noticed a broken leaf on driver side rear, so I ordered replacement leaf spring pack from Rock Auto (don't forget the u-bolts and bolts for the end loops). Had Midas install it for me. I wasn't surprised to find it sitting a lot higher on the driver side than than passenger side, especially after I noticed the leaf pack I ordered was marked HD. So I ordered for the other side and MIDAS installed. Probably sits 3" plus higher now in the rear.

Coincidentally, I started having a bad squeak in front end prior to any of this. I discovered after replacing the leaf packs that the bushings on the bottom of both struts are breaking apart, causing the squeaks. So I ordered new struts c/w coil springs from Rock Auto (if I am gonna pull a strut out to replace a bushing, may as well replace the whole damn thing). I so far have one side installed, and that raised the front end probably 3" as well.

Not sure what impact this will have on running gear. I should point out my Tacoma has almost 500K km on it. I have replaced pretty much everything in front end - new wheel bearings, new HD axles, new HD lower ball joints, HD tie rods ends, etc. The ball joints I had them do "just because" when they did the wheel bearings.

I am running stock tires and rims.

ETA: If you want I will give you the part numbers for springs/struts I bought.

 

I would get a set of bilstein 5100 shocks and a fresh take-off leaf pack for the rear from someone who upgraded their leafs on their new truck right away.

Take off OEM shocks are pretty mediocre from the factory and the 5100 are a low cost functional upgrade.

 

At 110K on the clock, I'd say you're due for some new shocks. Typically the rear leaf springs on our trucks tend to sag from carrying weight around in the bed or from a cap or similar. Looking at the picture of your truck, IMO it appears the leaf springs are OK. The front looks OK also.

From what you're trying to achive 3rd gen take offs sounds like your best bet money wise. A little patience and perserance may yield a full set near your location. Have you looked on CL or market place (whatever it's called on FB)? As for any lift, you will not get any lift in the front from just the shocks off a 3rd gen. You will need the spring (full strut) to achieve that inch or so lift on the front. The 5100 front shocks that you "pictured" do have the ability for lift from the settings of the clip or snap ring.

If you're happy with the current overall stance of your truck, you might consider Bilstein 4600's. Not to be confused with the Toyota OEM Bilsteins that come stock on our trucks. I've heard the 4600's are an upgrade from the OEM shocks.