replacing rear shocks

It is time to replace the rear shocks on my 07 Tacoma. I still have the factory rear shocks on the truck (about 105k miles) and they look pretty worn, possibly leaking. I was considering upgrading to a set of bilstien 5100s to match my new front shocks but I just found someone selling a set of factory shocks of a 14 Tacoma with about 15k on them and he only wants $40. I don't see any reason why the new shocks wouldn't fit and it seems to be a good price. My question is will I regret not going with the 5100s? I use the truck almost exclusively as a daily driver and although I plan to do some wheeling it would be in limited doses and mostly just on the beach.

 

If you were happy with the old ones, get the $40takeoffs. I like a matching set but is it worth the extra? I don't know...

 

Are these factory yellow Bilsteins (4600 series) or black Tokico shocks for sale?

 

Yellow Bilsteins

I like the matching also but I just don't see how it will be worth it to pay an extra $150+ to switch to 5100s over buying these...
Is the quality really that much better??

 

^You probably won't notice a difference between Bilstein 4600 and 5100 rear shocks. And if you wheel hard enough, 5100 shocks won't be enough and you'll be looking at 2.0" or 2.5" rear shocks from Icon, King, etc.

 

^^^ what he said... save the money

 

I think you guys are right, feel like I should mention I do have the rear lifted 1.5" with an AAL kit. Not sure if that makes a difference but at $20 a shock I just don't see how its worth it to upgrade.

 

Hmmmmm....If you do any rough road riding I'd go with the Bilsteins. I just picked up my 2013 and one of the first things that I decided is that the stock shocks on it are not as smooth riding as the Bilsteins I had on my 2001 Ranger. The Bilsteins will last forever and a half and from my experience well are worth the cost.
That said, $40 is a pretty danged good deal...as long as they are pretty new.

 

I'm going to go slightly against the $40 4600s and say; if the extra spendage isn't a struggle, my vote is the 5100s.

This is for two reasons; first being your AAL. Second being personal experience with 5100s and loving them (but minor experience with 4600s and thinking they'd be just fine too).

I think you're missing out on some potential from the 5100s, heck buy both if you can swing it...try the 5100s and if you don't like them, sell them here for a $40 loss and then the $40 one's are still only $80 which is fair!

 

My understanding from what I've read is that the 5100's for the front are a pretty much OE grade shock with the optional spring perches for those who like to preload their springs for lift.

Not that they are bad shocks, just that the dampening function isn't light years ahead of OE.

If that's true, the rears should follow the same engineering principal.

That said, the cheap shocks, if they are long enough for how you use the truck, would be the better value. But if they aren't long enough, the 5100's may not be either.

I'd call Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road and talk over options, especially if you know your goals. I understand you may make a choice that doesn't put money in their pocket today. But good customer care will have you calling them for future purchases.

 

I just did this same thing last week. I bought a set of 2014 stock Bilstein shocks front and rear with 13k on them but the front has 3" spacer lift for $100 to put on my 06. also just ordered 2" block for rear so I was hoping for a better ride since my 06 has 115,000 on stock set.

 

Be careful removing those 10 year old shocks. I just did mine last week and stripped one out so bad I had to cut it out with an angle grinder. I had one slip with the grinder and cut through my interior bed liner. You need an Allen wrench to hold the top of the shaft while you loosen the nut with a box end.