5100 vs. 5125 Bilsteins

I have a 98 taco reg cab 2.7l that has a 3" body lift and 32" tires. I just purchased a set of 5100's for the front and a set of 5125's for the rear from Sonny over at Down South Motorsports (wicked good deal, too). I have read all of the threads, and I can't seem to get a good answer on the correct rear shock application. Half the people say run the 5100's for stock height, and half say run the 5125 for stock height. I do not plan on doing a suspension lift as I don't off road this rig very much. The most it sees is logging roads during hunting season, heading up to the mountain in the winter, and trails during trout season. From what I can tell, the 5100's in the rear are good if you have a lift or if you have an add a leaf, and the 5125 are for if you plan on keeping the suspension at stock height.

Any REAL information would be greatly appreciated.

 

The 5125s can be had in varying lengths so there isn't just one size. The correct choice for your application will depend on the amount of travel the suspension has as well as the overall length from top mount to bottom mount when fully compressed and fully extended.

They sizes available are 8", 8.5", 10" & 12". IIRC those numbers refference the amount of extension.

 

So for stock height, the 5100's are the way to go? My truck is still in the shop, so I can't go out and measure what it sits at. Got rear ended by a girl doing 35. Her car and the car in front of me didn't drive away, but my truck was ok (other than the frame tweaking a little in the rear and the bumpers getting destroyed.

 

stock height go with 5100s
more than 2-2.5 of lift you need more rear downtravel and 5125s are a good idea. or shock extenders for your 5100s.

short answer: 5100s

 

I think I read that the 8" 5125s can work on the stock suspension. Here are a couple of links with more info on these shocks.

Scroll down the page a bit on the allpro page for the 5125 section. http://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-135588-bilstein-5125-series-performance-shocks.html

 

Just got the straight poop from sonny at downsouth. The 5100's are a good bet if you run an add a leaf, or have any lift on the rear. the 5125's work better if you don't or if you have any sag in the springs. Some people who run the 5100's have to modify their bump stop so they don't bottom out the shocks as they are a little too long in this application. Has anyone run into that problem?

 

where can i find 3" shock extenders for a 2004 tacoma prerunner? need them to fit stock shocks.

 

Are you trying to use your old shocks after you lift?
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yes very very low in come right now and i dont wanna pick up another job cause im trying to focus on school. really trying to find solution to battle over extension and bottoming out the front shocks with a spacer lift

 

I've never seen shock extenders for 1st gen applications. Your truck looks stock. Do you have a spacer lift on it now? What type? Top plate or coil?

 

well changed my mind im gonna go with ome 882's in the front. and do and aal in the read. what shock are availible to match the extension compresion needs for this kinda lift. preferably something on the cheaper side.

 

I have a 2003 Prerunner DC, I got the 5100's in front and 5125's in the rear from DSM. I was told, and ordered, and installed these because I do NOT plan on lifting the rear. The 5125's work fine. I leveled out the front with the middle setting on the 5100's in the front. Trucks damn near level now. Just waiting on my eternally back ordered KMC enduro's now.

 

Asus - I see this is a much older post, but I actually just ordered 5100s up front and 5125s in the rear for an 02 TRD (non-prerunner), rest of the suspension is stock, truck was babied and never offroaded and I am not planning to do anything serious other than occasional dirt road, if that. Also planning on using the middle setting up front and keeping the stock springs.

How did you like the ride? I may put on the small "helper" leaf in the rear to help compensate for the age of the rear leaf set-up, but otherwise planning to leave the rest alone.

Thanks!