Basic Stock Suspension Advice Request

I know, I know...Stock Sucks.
But my old Tacoma, a 95, wants new legs.
I don't off road as much as I used to and I use this truck as a work (i.e. constant on-road commuting) vehicle. I'm gonna invest in new shocks/struts soon and I'd like to hear some advice on brands/components/whatever to improve the ride/handling of a stock-looking Tacoma. Keep in mind I live in New England and travel 80% back roads...(frost heaves, pot holes, cracked pavement, washboard, train tracks, gravel roads, you name it) Since I cannot afford a Corolla to do my job with, I want to tone down the jarring ride at least a little. Also, how long should the rear leafs be expected to last under "normal" conditions? I'm on the second set at just under 220,000K miles.

 

5100 Billies help ya?? Much better ride then stock .

 

You mean both front and back?

 

yes,no height adjustment in the front.

 

Alright then...will keep that in mind.
What vendor do you use? online?

 

They do have them for the first gen.

 

Downsouthmoters on ebay.

 

Great. Thanks.

 

I was gonna suggest OME's.....
Not sure how they compare in price to 5100's. OME's are not adjustable so they're probably a little bit cheaper. OME's are more expensive than your typcial shock/strut (Rancho, monroe, etc). They ride nice. I had them on my 96.

 

Any time.Glad to be of service.

 

Janster,
I'm kinda outta the loop when it comes to mods of any kind.
What/who is OME?

 

I replaced the TRD shocks on my '99 with the Bilstein HD's, the yellow with blue boot ones, and really liked the improvement over the Toyota fleet type Bilstein's. The replacements are about twice the diameter of the OEM Toyota shocks with good dampening.
If you're not looking to change height in the front the HD's from Downsouth or mailorder ought to be about $10 cheaper than 5100's. If 5100's are even available for a '95.

 

Cool.
Good advice coming in...much appreciated.
Do we know if just the shock can be replaced on a '95, or does it have to be the entire assembly. If its the whole thing, I think the factory set-up will do nicely on my budget.

 

I'm pretty sure it's still a spring swap in the front regardless of shock (strut). My '89 had a torsion bar front end and you could just swap out the shocks in an hour. I looked at Downsouth and it doesn't show either on the '95 and the 5100's were cheaper on other years?

But here's another from Performance for the HD's.
http://www.performanceproducts4trucks.com/productpage.aspx?pid=101016