Rear shocks: easy to change?

Sorry, meant 5125.

 

FWIW, I called Wheeler's a while ago, and they said 5100's were the best choice for a stock height 2004 Prerunner.

LOL, NOW you tell me! But, somehow I got lucky and got them on the correct sides.

 

X2 I had to cut mine off!

 

5125 are the same as 5100 but are order specific (able to customize the length and valving). Im no expert but I would pay attention to the bellow two quotes:

As long as you dont flex your rear suspension too much, you should be ok.

 

Okay, cool. I don't ever leave the pavement voluntarily.

Truth be told, if I had it to do over, I'd just get the damn Monroe Gasmatics and be done with it.

 

by the way, if you order some 5125, depending from where you get them, they probably gonna be delivered with 5/8" bushings that you're gonna have to change for 3/4" to fit your first gen. The energy suspension number is 98108. Quite easy to change with a proper method and bushings are pretty cheap too.

 

Some very questionable information here ^^^.

Rear shocks have no direct effect on ride height. Rear shocks have no bearing on "taco lean".

Stock shocks are different lengths. 5100s are not. When purchasing rear shocks you must consider that the extended and compressed lengths differ from driver side to passenger side. That is why 5125s are preferred, you can get them in lengths that will not over compress nor over extend.

OP, the RCD branded Bilstein 5100s are definitely longer than you need. If you flex out the rear you run a good chance of having a rear shock being the limiting factor.

 

I put a set of KYB GR2's on my 2000 Pre-Runner and it was a piece of cake. $50 a pair off ebay.

 

I've used this method 8 times, safer than a compressor IMO. Especially if you are compressing heavy coils (like 886s, eibachs).

 

I really wish I hadn't done this.

After the three week back order, the wildly conflicting information on the internet, the absence of any instructions with the shocks, and the piss poor website ....

... now my mechanic installed installed the struts with the full lift. My front fender is 1 3/8" higher than the rear fender.

Damn it, I wish I'd never heard of Bilstein.

 

Oh, and I MAY have the wrong shocks. Depending on who you ask.

 

Pretty easy to raise the back an 1' to 1.5'. Extended shackles are available in both lengths. Plus, adding a little lift in back to level the truck out, will be perfect for the shocks you got.

 

I jacked up the back of the truck until the fenders were level. Does it look okay like this, or does it look like too much lift for these tires?

 

Incorrect, 5100's come in different sizes too. You have to check the serial number to make sure you have the right shock on the correct side. IIRC, its

BE5-6252-H5 (left side)
BE5-6253-H5 (right side)

Its not a huge issue for road driving but could become a headache if you are trying to flex the rear suspension.

As long as you dont flex your rear suspension, you are ok. Take it back to the dealer and tell them they installed it wrong. There is a snap ring on the front shocks that is used to raise the front end. Have then put the ring on the lowest setting and you will return to stock height. Your not the first member that had this happen with a dealer install.

As for your rear shocks, only an issue if you are hard core offroading. Im have the same issue as you do but opposite. My lift is too high for the 5100's yet Ive not had any issues.

 

I got 3" on stock tires and it looks acceptable (ish). This doesnt look too bad, but like I said, I would take it back an have the guys install the shocks correctly.

 

Can you tell me more about this?

I'll go read the "lift FAQ's" in the suspension forum in the mean time.

 

I stand corrected about 5100 rear sizes. I did notice the wheelers lists different bilstein part numbers for the ones they sell. D559/D560.

OP, do your shocks say RCD on them? Race Car Dynamics

Both toytec and wheelers sell lift shackles. Here are some links.

IMO, these tire do not look too small for the lift.