Good shocks for airbag rear suspension

I have installed airbag rear suspension which was an awesome addition. However, I find that the rear end is very soft when bags are at min psi so I am looking for a shock that can travel a bit when inflating the bags but absorbs the shock when on the road and not feeling like a sponge.

Any ideas or tips? Maybe other mods are necessary?

 

I recently installed 5100's on all four corners with the fronts @ 2.5. I went with a Ride Rite bags in the rear to level it out (didn't want the TSB or AAL). Took me a while to find a comfortable setting that not only leveled out the rear but also didnt knock my teeth out when I go over bumps. I found that airing up my tires according to the TIRE sidewall (-5 lbs) influenced the ride dramatically. I would air up the tire and adjust the bags accordingly.

What psi are you running your bags at now?

 

15 psi. I have had it up to 30 psi transporting 1000 kg of top soil and it responded and behaved nice, but once the load was dumped and psi went down it felt spongy again. I still have original shocks on it.

 

Air up your tires and find a good psi for the bags. I will be installing a digital psi readout in the apillar to monitor bag pressure along with the OBA.

 

go with bilstein 5125s for the rear

and my god dont run your tires at 15psi ever unless your off road!

 

The OP is refering to the air bag pressure.

 

^ i think he was talking bout his airbag psi. How do you like those airbags? I wonder how durable they are

 

oh my bad... herp derp

 

My truck has the 3 leaf pack with ride rite bags and bilstein 5100 shocks. It rides killer.

It sounds from your post though that you need more spring (air), not more damping (shock).

I run the air bags at 10-12 psi unloaded and just add air depending on the load. Running them with no air (or just the 3-5psi minimum) feels like crap because now you are back to just using the soft stock springs.

I dont think you would be disappointed with a set of 5100s, but maybe try running more air if you dont want drop the money just yet.

 

The air bags are quite solid considering that they have survived 2 winters and numerous runs to the quarry. I have not however taken them off road.

What is the difference between the 5100 and 5125? Has anyone tried the 5160?

 

the travel length is longer. i think 12 inches instead of 10. i dont know about the 5160s

 

Thanks a lot. This will get me started.

 

I'm sure you are aware but 1000kg of payload is putting you well north (at least 1000 lb) of any Tacoma's capacity. Tires, bearings, the frame etc. are not designed for this. Just saying.

 

Oh yes I am aware, but it is a working truck not a shiny toy and my intent is to stretch it to the limit and fix it if it breaks. I figure that if you can fit 30 Taliban in the back of a Hilux and send them across the mountains in their propaganda videos, than whats a little dirt in the back of the truck on a paved road.

Besides, it is always fun putting new parts on the Taco.