Tacoma Rear Shock Recommendations

Hey everyone! I’ve been debating over two shocks for the rear of my 02 Tacoma. I either want to go the Bilstein 5160 with remote res. Or the Fox 2.0. I have 2.5 inches of lift, never carry a lot of weight, and like to do some tougher trials. It still is my daily driver and I’m looking for a good ride quality with a shock that will last long, and have good off-road performance. I’ve never had any experience with these shocks. So I have no clue how the feel or perform. Which one do you guys recommend? Or maybe there’s another shock I should look at that would fit my needs? Thanks!

 

Drop some of your lift to gain some droop back since you do 'tougher' trails.

At that point I'd opt for 10" shocks in stock location, or go with a relocate and run 12" - 14"

Depending on your leaf pack though, you might not be able to cycle more than 10" anyway

I ran Fox 2.0 in the back and didn't like the way they were valved on an otherwise empty truck; only when I'd throw my bed rack and RTT back on would I reinstall my Fox 2.0 back into place. When I pulled the weight off, I ran Bilstein 5100s back there.

 

You have 2.5" of lift in the rear? If yes, from what and what shocks are you currently running?

 

Yes in the rear. I have a leaf pack from ARB, forgot exactly what it’s called, but that’s what’s the lift is from. I have Bilstein 5100’s in the back. I recently got kings for the front and wanted something a little more upgraded for the rear as well, but don’t want to get $1200 kings (since I already took some damage form the coilovers up front)

 

Tacoma-replacement Kings suck anyway; they're way too short and not meant for lifts.

People buy them even when they're suggested not to, only to ruin them from over extension cause "we told you so"

But $1200 ain't bad for new shocks anyway, that's on the cheap side for 2.5's and not worth spending that much if you're not relocating your shock mounts.

If you already have Bilstein in the back, why are you wanting something else?

 

So you must have the Dakar leaf packs. I have the same and they will use every bit of travel from a 10" travel shock mounted in the stock location....but, at least in my experience and on my Tacoma, a 10" travel Bilstein in stock location needs extended bump stops to avoid bottoming out. From what I understand the 5160/5165's are not much different from the 5100/5125's, except for the external reservoirs. I wouldn't expect much of difference in ride. I have no experience with FOX to make a Bilstein vs FOX comparison.

 

Okay, thank you for all your advice. I think the best option is to go with the extended travel 5100’s. And maybe I’ll get the 5160’s just so I can feel cool with the reservoirs.