Best Replacement Struts and Shocks for a 2nd gen Prerunner

Did a search but I know this information can change year to year. What are the best replacement Struts and shocks for a stock 2nd gen Prerunner? If it matters I am a 90% road and 10% pasture and light trail user.

Checking out the Blistein 4600 at BlkDakDave's recommendation, but then I see the 5100's aren't but like $50 more for the set.

Is one better than the other or are they intended for different applications? If price reflects better performance when do you reach the level you cant improve on? Or is there such a thing?

 

3rd gen takeoff struts and Bilstein 4600 shocks. I see you're from the big city of Lexington. Being close to Austin and Waco, you should be able to find some 3rd gen struts. The 4600's are not what the Tacoma's come with, different shock and from what I've read, they ride better.

 

So are you suggesting I hit off-road shops up for 3rd gen drops as their owners upgrade to Kings etc? And the Bilstein 4600's are your off-the-shelf recommendation? Or where is it one normally finds gently used 3rd gen drops?

 

I would think right here on TW Marketplace would be the easiest place to find 3rd Gen takeoffs, but given your location as @BlkDakDave alluded to you might be able to find them just as easily through local listings on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc.

 

Yeah, who actually makes the 3rd gen takeoffs? There was a comment that they were not as good a ride as the 4600. What the diff?

 

I was able to find some low mileage 3rd gen struts and rear shocks on CL for $180 (couple of years ago) while visiting my son who live just north of Dallas. This is how I know of Lexington as I take 77 when heading north.

The OE (stock) Bilsteins work just fine, but they are not the same as the 4600's. Again from what I have read here on TW, they are a better shock and ride better than the OE Bilstein. Also, from what I understand (again from reading here on TW) they are readily available. Some of the guys here on TW have commented on the delay in getting their 5100's.

The 5100 adjustable front shocks allows for some height adjustment, some say up to 2.75". A set of 3rd gen takeoffs (assembled coils w/front shocks) will give you 1 to 2". When I first installed mine it was 2", but once settled it was a solid 1.5" of lift in the front.

My suggestions are budget based. Being retired, most of my mods are DIY and bang for the buck.

 

Now I’ve seen a few Tacoma’s with the lift kits I guess I’m in. I’m not interested in spending a great deal on this 2 Wheel drive truck. But I really like the hysterics of the Tacoma when it’s lifted conservatively say 3 inches. So what is the right way to do it we are safety fuel economy instability is concerned?

 

5100s and lift coil springs.

Although, since you have a 2wd 6lug. Your truck would be a great candidate for long travel front suspension.

 

I have know idea of what this entails. Long travel front suspension that is.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, what I decipher from your post above is;
1. you don't want to spend a lot of money.
2. you like the stance of looks of a "conservatively" lifted Tacoma
3. you're concerned about fuel economy and (I'm guessing here) making the truck unstable.

Please forgive and correct me if I misinterperted your post.

Budget what you want to spend and stat looking at what your budget can get you.
With a 3" lift you should think about upper control arms, a lot say you can get away without them. Pinion angle is another factor when lifting the rear. Pluse extended travel front and rear shocks.
Lifting a vehicle or a high profile vehicle (top heavy) is inherently less stable than a low profile vehicle. However with a wider stance, a conservatively lifted vehicle can be quite stable.
With a lift, you'll want bigger tires which will cut into your fuel economy.

Long travel front suspension allows for more axle articulation and wheel travel. An example would be comparing a Kawasaki 4x4 Mule to a Polaris RZR Side by Side and where or how you can drive them.

Hope this helps.

 

Just my opinion but lifting a 2 wheel drive that isn’t used off road and isn’t 4wd = big money waste. That is expensive just to do for looks. And there are often numerous problems with lifted vehicles. There’s a zillion posts here on TW concerning problems people have with lifted trucks. And lifting a 2WD ain’t going to make it worth any more resale when you sell it. Just accept your truck for what it is a nice, dependable 2WD , 4 cyl. street and highway truck that should give you years of dependable use. Get yourself a set of 4600’s (they are basically the same internally as 5100’s but are for non lifted trucks).
If you want to spend the $$$ to lift your truck so you look “cool”, then go for it. What ever makes you happy. What ever you decide good luck to you, post a couple pics.

 

Much more compliant than the Bilsteins.

 

What's the lift or extension specs on those rear shocks? They look similar to the Torch extended shocks I have.

 

I wouldn't bother with take offs if you want better on road use. Toyota factory shocks suck, the offroad is the best for comfort though.

KYB Gas-a-just https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1130785&cc=1445516&pt=7556&jsn=421

and Bilstien 4600 https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6321243&cc=1445516&pt=7556&jsn=422

Are both mono-tube, upgraded beyond factory specs, and both offer much better onroad and help with cavitation offroad.

I switched to 4600's because I refuse to lift a daily driver ever again. I want smooth controlled performance that I can hammer on a gravel road.

 

This is interesting as I am a hammerer as well.

 

These are Eibach's OE Pro-Truck replacements for non lifted rigs. The Pro-Truck Sport dampers are for lifted ones.

The rears may look long in the pic because they were at full droop

 

Don’t mean to hijack the thread. My 2006 Prerunner 2wd has the original shocks and struts. I have about 175k miles.

My son has a 2014 4Runner TRD limited that he lifted and replaced all for corners when the truck was a week old. His stock shocks and struts are sitting in my garage.

Would these fit on my Taco?

 

Limited or TRD Off Road model?

Limited, no, it would have a complex Xreas system that wouldn't transfer.

TRD, maybe? Could always compare assembled length. Springs and shock valving are surely different, since the 4Runner has almost 1000 lbs on thr Tacoma. So it might bolt up, but not ride right.

 

Your shocks were wore out at least 75000 or more miles ago. It’s a good thing you are replacing them as wore out shocks are dangerous, they change the way your vehicle handles and stops. I wouldn’t mess with putting 4Runner shocks on a Taco. As stated above the ride won’t be right. Just get some 4600 Bilstein shocks. They are replacement shocks for OME. They are way way better than OME. They are the same as 5100 Bilsteins except they are for non lifted trucks.There is also a slight difference in the valving between 4600 and 5100’s. Just get new shocks on that sucker.

 

Thank you for the insights. I was hoping it would work since I have them laying around taking up space in the garage. But, I think I’ll go with what Sprig said, and go with Bilsteins.