Mix matching front and rear shocks

Anybody mix match their front and rear shocks? I replaced my stock fronts a couple weeks ago with 880s and 5100 bilstein (my original front shocks were leaking). Planning to order rears this weekend. Just asking people’s experiences with rear foxes or rear icons. I also intend to order the general HD leaf springs in December.

 

Myself I think it depends what your looking for>

Me any shock that is the correct length and the same or close in response works for me.

In my younger broke days I could have 4 different manufactures shocks on the vehicle

These were 4x4 vehicles I was not looking for sports car performance .

It would be quite different to have a 90 /10 on one front side and a regular shock on the other side.

For those that don`t know 90/10 are a shock you put on your drag car to have the front end rise faster and stay higher longer to keep weight towards the rear axle

 

Here is my personal opinion; just get Bilstein 5100 rears.

Reason being, spending any more money on quality shocks in the rear is somewhat pointless without a rear shock relocation done. You're limited to an 8" traveling shock (9" - 10" if you go Bilstein short-body) so spending a lot of money for limited travel is a bit of a waste.

Being a hypocrite I know, as I ran Fox 2.0 9" traveling shocks in the rear of my Tacoma, since I had Fox 2.5 up front.

 

Thanks @Kwikvette cool this was the response I was looking for since I’m new to the suspension scene. I went on the fox website earlier and the shock they recommended had 7” travel so that seemed like a waste. Bilstein and icons have 8”. The job sites I work on are ungraded so I’m tired of bouncing around like a rag doll plus I want to hit some trails around Big Bear.

 

Bilsteins are so cheap, I bought a set for the Tacoma I had, as well as the 4Runner I have.

I intended to use them as "back ups" for when my suspension needs servicing (my 4Runner has King front and rears).





Get this though, I damaged one of my King rears so I uninstalled both rears and used my Bilsteins much sooner than expected.



In the Tacoma's case, I only used the Bilsteins when I ran unloaded as the Fox were valved to be way too stiff and really only worked well with weight.



If you want that "smoother ride", airing down will help significantly.

 

@Kwikvette it looks like my year Tacoma needs spacer blocks for the 5100s. But the 5160s (with reservoirs are a direct fit.)

 

Just don't go doing any "real" off roading, as in, don't go tucking in those wheels.

Extended bump stops will prevent any fatal collapsing, as seen in the rear of my vehicles above.

 

Kings in the front Fox in the rear

 

OME882 N91SC in fronts Fox 2.0 rears

 

Wait what? Really?

I run ADS in front and 5100s in the rear on my 99, and they're actually too short (top out not bottom)