4x4 6 lug front shock recomendation.

Hello!

I have a 2011 DCLB 4x4 6 lug with 120k on it. The front shocks are wearing out and I am looking into replacing them.

My first goal with the replacement would be to improve ride quality. I would like a smoother ride and I do not do any off-road driving.

My 2nd goal would be to level it out or leave it still slightly raked but still lifted in the front (I do get very minor tire rubbing at full turns when braking).

I had heard that you can swap the old ones out for a set of shocks from any other Tacoma up 2023 and it would be a direct fit and possible achieve both my goals.

I have also watched some videos from shock surplus and it seems like they might steer me towards and eibach to achieve both goals

What are the thoughts and opinions from the experts (you all)?

I also have rear air bags if that matters.

Thanks in advance!

Rick

 

I’m no expert but if you do a search on this question, there are a billion responses.
And very recent.

 

I think bilstein 5100s would suit you well. Better ride, direct fit, and you can get them with OME springs for ~2 inches of lift for a level look. I would get the front and rear. You can also use the original springs and have them preloaded for 2 inches of lift.
Just look up bilstein 5100 tacomaworld in google and 1000’s of threads come up.

 

6112 is the minimum. They give better ride by increased size (2.3”) and adjustable front height.

they were chosen on TRD Pros: 4runner, Tacoma, and Tundra from factory for these reasons, and later phased out for Fox that offers the same or better.

For anything beyond that the ideal choice would likely be Fox 2.5 adj + res. Or maybe comparable Bilstein 8112. Due to larger shock, more fluid, potentially better internal valving, and added reservoir capacity.

 

2 vs 2.3…worth the difference if your gonna use it… he specifically stated that he never goes offroading. If it was me 5100 would do the job. Not to say 6112 isn’t better.

 

Neither do I, on days I am not off roading. Nobody lives on top of Mt Everest. These are daily driven off road capable trucks, not chromoly tube frame KoH trailer crawlers.
US roads are not the autobahn.
Same goes for Pros.

 

So the money of 6112/5160 is worth it over 5100s all around? I have heard both ways. I have 5100 right now with stock springs, annoyingly too soft, I have to slow down on highways roads and in the little offroading I do they are super bouncy. Of course my springs front and rear are just completely shot. Would you say screw my wallet and get 6112/5160 and leaf springs? Or just get OME springs for the 5100s up front and new leaf springs for the back? Mostly on-road daily driving.

 

Look for 3rd gen trd offroad suspension take offs. Gives about a inch of lift and rides really good. I did this to mine. I also added headstrong 1/4" top plate spacer and a 1" block in the.

Before.




After.

 

there is no replacement for displacement. Shock thickness and fluid capacity is displacement.

I had 5100’s. They are trash. I don’t give a shit what you or anybody else does. You have a question there is an answer. They are thin. There is a reason they are cheap. There is a reason why when I listed mine for sale I could not get shit for them and to my recollection gave them away to a guy who was simply trying to get his truck back on the road because he had a broken shock or something like that.

I have 6112s because they are budget and what I could afford. I do not work in a well paying job field, therefore this is the minimum. People who get paid more get more. Maybe one day I will figure out how to do that.

if you want to get the wrong thing, be disappointed, and fix that for more money later, that is your choice. At this point you have been told.

I have driven in most states. The roads are not perfect. This is not Germany where you have 60% tax rate and a meticulous autobahn.

like I said. These are not trailer crawlers. Most people including myself drive them every day.

facts are facts. If you want, take the time to find locals with each respective setup and go for a ride or drive with them to see how they feel before you make a decision.

if you put a gun to my head and told me to run 5100’s, I would think about how to move my head and grab the gun quickly.
If another person pisses on the toilet seat and doesn’t flush does not mean I am interested in doing the same. It is not hard.

if one cannot afford a suspension for a vehicle, buy a vehicle where they can. For example, 1st gen vs 2nd gen and so on. I wouldn’t know. I bought my truck making minimum wage. That is the point of a used vehicle.

 

You’re always on pavement I’d pick up some Tacoma 3rd Gen off-road take offs for cheap, get them for a few hundred bucks, put a 1/2 thick spacer on top.

 

I found a set of 3rd gen front shocks for $100 that have 20K miles on them. Low risk investment to try it. For the money, I think I am going to give that a shot, and if it turns out that I don't like it, I can always start over. Thanks for the input all. I will let you know how it goes.