Shocks and struts for a city slicker like me?

Hi Guys,

I drive a 2003 double cab prerunner. 130,000 miles. I'm still on the original shocks/struts. No leaks or compromises that I can tell but man the ride is BUMPY! I'm the original owner, driven this truck for 20 years so I know that it's no Cadillac but I also know the ride is way different fro years past. I think I'm going to go ahead and replace the shocks and struts. This is a city truck. I drive it to work and back, I put small loads in the bed frequently but nothing too heavy and I don't tow ever. Should I go with another set of Bilstein 4600's (what came with the truck) or do you have any other suggestions. If something other than 4600's would give a nicer city ride I'd be game. Money not really a concern - haven't had a car payment since 2006!!

Thanks!

 

man the oil in those shocks must be beyond fried! make the upgrade to bilstiens 5100's. you can keep stock ride height plus its made to use with the stock springs. a lot of value for the money.

 

Yup.

 

The 5100s are only "nicer" if you need them for offroading. Stick with the 4600s.

FYI, the life span of a shock is at most 50k. Leaks or not, it's what's inside the shock tube that you can't see which is toast.

 

This. 4600's unless you need the extra stiffness.

 

I couldn’t stand the 4600. To much dive and sway. I liked the ride of the 5100 on and off the road much better.

 

Just my opinion, but I'm happy with my Eibach Pro-Truck shocks. Very controlled and comfortable ride on the road. Price point about the same as the Bilstein 4600's.

 

If you want to save the time compressing springs, the price on this assembled coilover set can't be beat. Mines also an '03 and wanted to stay stock. Moog 81104 springs, as close as you can get to stock, Bilstein's all around.

https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...with-rear-shocks-for-1995-2004-toyota-tacoma/

Unfortunately, they are currently showing out of stock, email them to see how long it will be, they are stellar in responding to inquiries.

Here's how they come when you receive them.

 

Just shipped a set of 4600s to a friend in Honduras with a truck like yours and lousy roads. He loves them.

But comfort is personal.

 

I too have Eibachs and couldn’t be happier with them. However, if I was looking for new shocks for a stock height ‘03 prerunner that only sees pavement I’d get a set of 4600’s without a second thought. They’re a perfect match for that application.

 

Eibach is another great brand.

Can't go wrong with many of the top tier brands. Just stay away from Monroe.

 

CHANGE your LBJs while you are changing shocks/springs with OEM LBJs.

 

why is that?

 

Monroe and Gabriel are just not really great shocks. Cheap and functional, but spending just a little more gets you something better quality. I tried Gabriels on my old '92. Rode like crap and wore out quickly. Replaced with white KYB's that didn't cost much more and it was a HUGE difference.

 

Monroe is just a garbage brand producing low quality piss poor products.

Their "quick strut" product actually lowers these trucks. Not mention being a large contributing factor in owner confusion between struts and coilovers.

 

I haven't looked into the Tacoma specific 4600, but on some other models Bilstein cs has stated that the 4600 and 5100 are essentially the same shock internally, with different finish and in some cases, different lengths. If that is true, ride characteristics would be the same and it comes down to a color preference.

Both 4600 and 5100 are sold as being an on and offroad, high pressure gas shock. The biggest difference is that Bilstein markets the 5100 for lifted applications because of the extended lengths. For the front of the 1st gen Tacoma the lengths of a 4600 and a 5100 should be identical. Both versions should be noticeably firmer, yet more controlled than an OEM shock.

Just about any shock should be an improvement over those high mileage pieces. The OEM TRD Bilstein's might look like 4600's but they are not.

 

This is correct. The 4600 and 5100 are valved identical.

 

I am fairly certain that is not correct - at least not for 1st gen tacomas.

I can't easily find spec sheets for them to confirm, but I did find specs listed on several articles listed as such:

Source: https://toolingfun.com/bilstein-4600-vs-5100-shocks-differences/

I wish I could find the data sheets.. There was a member here who recently took it upon himself to summarize the shock offers for 1st gen tacomas. Hopefully he will chime in.

 

That source looks extremely unreliable. If nothing else, generic. What vehicle application were those shocks for? No specific vehicle, no specific shock numbers, yet very specific valving numbers.

 

While I agree that it would be better to have something from Bilstein, It's always been my understanding (since the early 2000s) that the 4600 and 5100s are valved differently. This is thread would be the first time in those 20+ years that I have heard otherwise.