First gen (1995) Tacoma suspension recommendations

Hello all, I am new to this forum! As I had finally talked my dad into selling me his first gen that kinda just sat and was driven maybe once a week! Only 174k miles and thing is a beast! I just replaced the rear bumper and hardwired a 7-way and installed a tow receiver because I just bought an off-road trailer. Next thing I want to do is put new shocks/ suspension on. My rear struts are shot... Any recommendations? I might just buy some rough country rear struts for the time being because they aren’t too pricey. Thoughts?

 

Try not to go the cheap route. And when I say cheap route, rough country falls in that category. Look for Bilstiens, Fox, Kings, there's a fee others. You'll be replacing the rough country stuff guaranteed. Bilstiens are reasonable in price, I got a pair of summitracing.com that were around $80 each. Check out downsouthmotorsports, I think there's a tw discount code too

 

I dont have any experience with them personally, but the allpro expo leafs might be worth looking into

 

Okay, first, they're shocks, not struts.

Rough country is pretty much scrapping the bottom of the barrel, quality wise. Only thing you wouldn't get with a set of auto zone shocks is a cooler looking paint job on the shock body.

Just get some Bilstien 5100's. Replace all 4 of them. Should be around $340 or so for all 4. It's a great shock, especially for the price, and is a cheap/simple way to give it a bit of a lift too. I got some longer shackles for the rear and set the front 5100s on the middle height setting, all on original springs. That gave me a whopping 1" lift. Including the extended shackles, I was out the door for ~$400.

If you don't want to give it a little lift, then get the 4600's. Basically same shock, but stock lengths.

Depending on how much that trailer makes the truck squat, you may eventually want to consider new springs, too. or at least an add-a-leaf. Stiffer springs or add-a-leaf will make the ride rougher when not towing or carrying heavier loads in the bed, so that's something to consider, too. Air bags are an option that will ensure a consistent ride no matter what you're hauling.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Only reason I was looking at the rough country was temporary For a month or so because mine are totally shot and I really wanted to get the OME full set of shocks along with add a leaf.
Everyone I’ve talked to is pushing me toward the Bilstein’s so that is probably what I will go with because they are solid for a good price.

 

@MORFIUS: Welcome to TW! About suspension: I was in a similiar scenario like most people when it comes to the stock OEM suspension of the 1st generation Tacomas. I had worn out shocks, hated how the truck bed would sag when I started putting a heavy load in the back, and didn’t like the way it handled. I suffered for awhile, got my cash together, and bought the complete OME suspension kit with 883 front coils, Nitrocharger gas shocks, Dakar leaf springs, AAL, stainless steel brake lines/exhaust mod bracket/greasable shackles, and had my local 4x4 mechanic (Milogen Fabrications) install and tweak everything. It was well worth the expense for me.

I also considered the Bilstein 5100/All Pro Expedition leaf springs/ OME 883 front coils combination as well, but wanted something that I don’t have to fiddle around with once it was installed.

 

2nd Bilstien 5100s. If you need leaf springs, you might look at General Springs. They make a stock replacement and a heavy duty version for carrying loads. I have the HDs since I carry a fiberglass bed topper.

https://www.generalspringkc.com/searchresults.asp?Search=Tacoma&Submit=

The HDs also gave me about a 2 3/4” lift.

 

Hi I saw your post I have a 2003 Tacoma 2X4 prerunner, I put new struts and shocks Rancho 9000XL Now the front is higher then the rear, I want to replace the leaf springs, saw your post and see that it gave you a 2-3/4” lift, that is what I’m hoping for, they told me to use the HD 4 X 4 with General, but they couldn’t tell me if it would lift the rear, mine is stock other then the new struts and shocks I just put on. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

 

I second the Bilstein recommendation as well as the add-a-leaf.

I just put a set of Bilstein 4600s and add-a-leaf to the rear springs of my 1995 Taco. The Bilstein really tame the bounces.

I also went with poly bushings on the front sway bar and have a plan to install an Addco 956 rear sway bar.

Mike

 

If you want to stay stock there is this kit (4600's are close to OEM if you don't want lift.) There is this kit if you want lift but id is not an assembled coilover. Contact them, they can mod the packages, assemble the coilovers themselves, and IME have had stellar service and shipping with them, couldn't find an assembled set at these prices.

 

Old man emu every time. It's the best bang for your buck if you dont need to adjust it.

 

I am in same situation, 1998 4x4. I talked to Suspension Lift after @rocknbil recommended. He actually pointed me to this pre-assembled 5100 that I couldn't find while browsing. Then I would just add rear 5100s. I am still deciding whether to get stock height 5100 rear, think that is mod 6, or the mod 8 which is for a bit more travel if lifted... trying to decide if I will lift rear for heavy loads, and how often will drive it loaded.
https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...lacement-springs-for-1995-2004-toyota-tacoma/

 

I just picked up the toytec bilstien kit. It’s a nice set up out of the box!

 

If you are going with bigger tires and towing I would highly recommend tundra brake upgrade best mod I did I can stop now

 

I researched this two days ago. One thing to be aware of is that you can't do the tundra brake upgrade with 15" wheels, the calipers don't fit in the space. It only works with 16" or larger wheels. And a lot of the 1st gen tacomas came with 15" wheels. I can't remember which trims in which years, but my 1998 SR5 TRD OFF ROAD 4x4 came 15" rims.

You can replace them of course, but that forces new tires, new rims, as well as new rotors and calipers. So more expensive for a 15" wheel truck.

I elected to just go with trailer brake controller and ensure trailer brakes on everything I haul.

 

I didn't know that about rim size 15" good catch! I see pic he has trailer don't know if it has brakes