Bilstein 5100: rear only vs all wheels

Have a Tacoma TRD Sport Crewcab 2017. As many did notice, i found the rear to be bouncing to a certain extent, while the front suspension seems to do just great! So i was wondering if replacing the rear shock only with the well recognized Bilstein 5100 would give the best bang for the buck, as those are relatively easy to change and since the front suspension does not appear to be an issue. Thank you for sharing your experience! Looking forward to read you with great interest! I read couple of threads on this subject and couldn't resist asking which is why i decided to join.

 

Good question.

 

Pretty sure that would result in the 5100 being too compressed with the oem leafs, which would bot be good

 

Why would the 0-1" lift replacement rears be "too compressed" with OEM leafs??

G.

 

Once his leaf spring sstart sagging, it’s going to result in some compression. Not sure how long that will take, but the factory leafs are serious saggers.

 

I don’t think there’s any particular reason you couldn’t replace only the rear shocks.

 

I get what you are saying, but is "too compressed" the same as "some compression"?? I ask because I was going with the 5100's without doing anything to the leafs when it's time for new shocks. I'm comming up on 50k on the originals.

G.

 

I put on the 5160 and drove for a week
Was fine
Putting the 5100’s in the front with esgs bushing in now

 

You run the risk of blowing them out if you take any bumps at speed.

 

I'm assuming you've already tightened your u-bolts? From the factory and even after I had the rear diff TSB completed, the u-bolts were all way loose. Tightening them up to 56lb made a huge difference. If you haven't tightened them, do that before you make suspension decisions.

 

This. They will not drive is nice usually. I’m sure plenty of people do this just fine, but I personally wouldn’t do it. I’m a little Ocd though…

 

I believe the stock replacement 5100s are the same compressed length as the OEM shocks. The longer, RCD 5100s, for full aftermarket spring pack applications, are 2-3" longer when compressed.

RCD/B110:
http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/st...Extended_Length_Rear_Shock_(PAIR)_-_B110.html

OEM replacement:
http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/st...24-186728_for_2005-Current_Toyota_Tacoma.html

That being said, there is a lot of compression damping in the 5100s. Not sure how that would pair with the stock Sport shocks.

 

I'm guessing it won't change a thing regardless, unless you have a load in the back. A Pickup truck is light in the back when empty. BUT, I'm no expert....

 

Compared to the stock 4600’s, I’ve found the 5100’s at the rear to provide a firmer ride and more controlled handling with less lean and body roll in curves.

For comparison to the stock Sport shocks, it’s worth a tryout with the 5100’s to see if you prefer the ride compared to the stock shocks.

If not, you can always sell them.

 

Oh! I was not aware of that. Let me check on that. Thank you very much for mentioning!!!

 

Good point! As suggested by Bshammer0, I'll check the u-bolt first and see how it goes.
Thx!

 

I’m glad I found this thread, and thank you. I just recently replaced my rear end with the 5100 BilStein’s.
My neighbor said that he would help me because he has a left and I had the 5100s for the front .
He is not very confident in his old spring compressor , so he talked me into the Monroe shocks ,the complete kit.
I am looking for an opinion on the matchup what I be disappointed ? will I well I need further adjustments?
I am putting these in on Saturday, and I know they are very easy to put and he offered to help ,so I will except it . Thoughts please.

 

Oh and I have an 08 TRD Sport 4x4

 

Tacomo,

That is another thing I am realizing: as a small game hunter and fisherman, I generally run light in the cargo space and rarely am I pulling things, one VVT in a trailer at most. That explains it all. I guess I should remove leaf(s) to smooth out the suspension first! But that sounds like another story... Have to look along those line then, or leaves sand bags to improve comfort and handling capability ...at least for the winter time.

Thanks for your input on this! Very helpful!

 

You can do the fronts without a spring compressor (see link). It's simple and safe (so long as you are careful with your setup) as the spring is captured between the shock/lower control arm and the upper shock mount.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...thout-spring-compressor.547631/#post-18981525

I would probably not recommend pairing the 5100s with Monroes. I would imagine Monroe goes for similar valving to stock, which would generally not pair well with the significantly stiffer 5100s.