Rear shock question.

My 07Taco needs rear shocks. Its my every day driver but will be pulling a 4400# camper. Any suggestions on what to use? Any input will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

Bilstein 5100 but the springs may need help so consider Ride Rite air bags. Firmness and ride height adjustable with a puff of air added or removed.

 

Thank you. This is what I had suspected, just needed confirmation.

 

OK, remember it is the springs, not the shocks that control things like ride firmness, height, etc. The shocks control the speed of the spring action so the truck remains under better control and doesn't bounce so much.

 

Had the frame and rear spring recalls to deal with when I bought the truck. Both were done, so pretty confident with the springs.
Also looking at the Timbren ses setups.I've used this set up before in a work application.
Thanks again David K.

 

I put on SumoSprings on my truck to deal with added weight, topper + gear. They work great, picked the rear up a 1/2 ". ride is a tad stiffer, love them. $180 @ Amazon.

 

Thank you jw, hadn't thought of Amazon,

 

I agree with David.....HI DAVID !!...

 

Eh.. Buy some new Bilstein 4600s from someone on here for $50 and then spend $400 on airbags and cradles.

5100s would be more than you need to spend and no advantage in your situation unless you're lifted.

 

Jeezus this question has been asked & answered like a trillion times...you just a post whore...

 

Sooo maybe I should seek answers elsewhere?

 

Are you lifted?

 

Negative. Stock height.

 

what he said, no lift Bilstein 4600s Heavy Duty FTW

 

Then don't get 5100s. Go 4600s for 1/4 the price and get some airbags to restore your rear height while under load.

 

And why?
Because on a stock height truck they're the same shock internally. The only difference is aesthetics.

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/images/bilstein-5100-vs-bilstein-heavy-duty.cfm

 

Thanks.

 

Both my Bilstein stock "heavy duty" shocks (standard for TRD Off Road Tacomas) were leaking and one was totally shot after 6 years and 80,000 miles. The 5100s are BIGGER, stronger, yet still very cheap shocks. You will be "lifted" once you install the RideRite air bags and put in more than 10 psi... at 30-40 (max for me) your unloaded truck will go up 3 inches in back. The air bags max is 100 psi... but NEVER go that much... 35-40 psi should level you or even raise you with a maximum load in the truck.

 

Don't be silly. There are countless Tacoma's running stock 4600 shocks and airbags, airbags are not for lift - they're for restoring ride height under load. Nobody who isn't cruising Tacoma forums cares nothing about 5100s, 90% of Joe Public buys the same replacement shocks or buys a similar shock from their auto parts house of choice. People who tow and haul get what they need. Hundreds of thousands of farm and ranch trucks run airbags and are otherwise completely stock! To say you can't run them with airbags is total nonsense.


5100s and 4600s are identically internally and identically valved, so they will perform no worse or better than the other on a stock height truck. This is proven, not an opinion. Both shocks are basic, mid grade shocks. 5100s are a magic bean on this forum, for no reason other than everybody thinks they're the best shit ever. They aren't!

You say your shock leaked. Have you ever searched for leaking 5100 threads on this forum or other? Some guys have leaks under 10k miles, it's not even what I would call unheard of.

6 years and 80k miles on a pair of cheap shocks is a pretty good life. Your experience with a single set of shocks doesn't change the design specs or opposite realities of either shock.