Front & Rear Shocks Shot

My truck has been bouncing like never before lately, it's like driving on rocks and gravel on a dirt road when really I'm driving down the freshly paved interstate. Guess the shocks finally gave up. Don't even get my started on potholes, I'm a pretty tall guy and I almost hit my head on the ceiling when I drive over one.

Any recommendations for front and rear suspension replacements? I'm not too familiar with the shocks/struts on Tacomas. I'm not offroading or anything (4x2 ), I use it as my daily driver and the occasional load of a fridge, dryer, crate, or load of dirt.

 

Oem bilstiens from the trd package (assuming yours is a prerunner), or bilstein 5100 shocks (if you want a bit of lift) should work well.

 

It is a PreRunner, how much of a lift would the 5100 be?

 

5100 can be set at 0 lift. They are adjustable.

 

Not sure on that one. It would probably level it. I would call toytec lifts, or wheelers offroad for their opinions. I went a different route, but with off-roading in mind. I did rough country stock height shocks, old man emu lift springs, and a wheelers off-road add a leaf. Gave me about 2.5" of lift up front and 1.5" out back.

 

What would be the advantages of the 5100 over the TRD OEMS? (Besides the lift capabilities)

 

They're more expensive and shiny. This equals street cred.

 

Haha damn I'm sold. Now at the risk of sounding completely car-illiterate, what exactly would I need to buy? Looking on eBay it looks like it only includes the struts, and not the springs. I was just planning on bringing it to my mechanic and having him do it. (I don't trust myself enough yet to replace something so critical).

 

Your stock springs should go right on the new shocks, if I'm not mistaken.

 

You would reuse your current springs you have or get new OEM ones.

 

Those don't have to be replaced?

 

And honestly, it's not too bad of a job to do, especially with a can of pb blaster, a good YouTube video, a socket set, and a good crow bar. Don't pay to have the rears installed. It's literally the easiest job ever.

 

Front Rears

 

Naw. Unless the springs are utterly trashed, you reuse the old oem springs.

 

You can, its up to you.

 

Here is how you can do the front yourself. I did it this way just fine.

https://youtu.be/vkVLBOnAifc

 

...and don't forget to have a front end alignment after you've done the suspension.

 

Got it, thanks for all the help everyone!

 

A stiffer, more balanced ride. Some people don't like it, I love it. Find the truck to be more controllable with far less pitch and yaw. But the original stuff is not bad either, specially if you don't off road.

 

I'm just looking for something smooth and better or comparable to the original OEM ones. What do you mean by stiffer?