SHOCKS

Ordering some shocks today. Looks like Bilstein are quality and adjustable for some lift.
Actually, maybe I'll wait for some feedback. I definitely would like top shelf so to speak. I can install.
I would like a cap eventually... maybe as $$ allows the camper type. However, even a basic cap and I can "fix" it up to be a sleeper.
What about the weight of a cap in relation to shock "strength" should I go a bit heavy duty.
I have 2010 Base extra cab.
Happy Trails in your Taco

 

Off the shelf shocks don't really dictate load. It's the springs that dictate load. Getting the right spring for your truck is much more important then what shocks you run.

Billsteins are great, I suggest them to everyone. Kings, Icon, Fox, etc are "nicer" but cost a lot more and have much higher maintenance requirements.

There is no one size fits all, your wallet dictates shocks more than anything else.

 

Great, thank-you Billstein it is , quality affordable and the springs yes in regard to load. I have 2010 base ... no intermittant wipers or cruise control.
... kinda funny but saved a few bucks I hope... $13000 over here in Mass.

I was thinking this truck not suited for the full out camper top. I've never learned about spring replacement..

 

They are reasonably capable stock. you can put a camper top in them without issue. If you put a lot of load in them then look into air bags or Timbrens. Icon RXT leaf packs are a decent option and have a leaf you can adjust the height/load capacity with. I doubt you need that unless you carry heavy loads.

 

Tnx Z... cool about the adjust leaf packs... I'll check that out. Prob wait til spring before any cap purchase. Got NE winter coming.
Would like fog lghts and better tires. That should do it with shocks and cap for tooling around the northeast... Lobster Lake in ME... access thru logging roads... pull over when logging trucks want to pass!!

 

Bilstein is not a model of shock it is a brand.

 

Correct. I'm looking at the

$504 B8 5100 Series Set of Front & Rear Shocks fits 1996 2004 Tacoma with 1-1.5" Lift | TrendsAuto Decal | 24-249928 33-247724 33-247717

B8 5100 monotube... the adjustable feature is nice.

 

Curious as to how many miles? If youre going to be looking at suspension refresh next spring, I would wait and buy 6112s and not change shocks now. If the suspension is tired and old, Buy once, Cry once and you'll have a capable suspension for years to come instead of swapping shocks now, and then springs and shocks later...just a thought!

 

It has roughly 104,500 miles. I wasn't considering changing springs only I was intrigued by ZColorado's comments about them.
I've never known about how spring replacement is accomplished. I'll read up on that as something to consider.
It definitely needs shocks; looks like factory. I can wait a bit as I learn about springs. They may not be neccesary but maybe I would want that for a camper cap unless as Z said the stock is prob good.
No snow as of now. Thank you ...

 

This is the Icon 3 leaf aal leaf springs. It holds the weight of the camper, and other random gear inside quite well and rides well. I have Eibach shocks but the lift and ride would be very similar to the bilstiens. It's also cheaper than a full leaf replacement.
https://www.extremeterrain.com/icon...Wii3mtFo8JDXK5Kbw-RoCAzkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

You cant change the front shocks without pulling out the front springs. They are coil over design. So, I would continue to research and look for a new fresh suspension set up if you plan on keeping the truck for a long time. Just my 2 cents...

 

Tnx Bandit... not too pricey. I have great credit with Affirm which is an excellent lending outfit, you can make payments ahead of schedule and not have one for a couple months or more.

 

Yes sir MSGT hope to keep truck for awhile. You mean the slinky looking springs up front, right. Getting confused between leaf and coil.
I thought those came as a unit. Had the truck 2 1/2 months and keeping to local travel now. I'll take those two cents.
Was Air Force in Gulf War jet mech..

 

Yep, the coil springs up front come as a "unit" or you can disassemble them and re-use the shock or spring. Buff fella I see! If you look on facebook marketplace or the for sale forum here, sometimes you come across 3rd generation offroad take offs for cheap, and those will bolt right up to your truck!

 

Your leaf springs carry the weight of the rear. Your coil springs hold the weight up front. If you haven't ordered your bilstiens yet I'd highly recommend ordering from hotshots. @memario1214 is the owner of the shop. He's very helpful and informative. They ship free and don't charge tax. Plus they have great sales. If I were going to get 5100s I'd order them pre assemblied. I've ordered a set unassembled once. I didn't have a spring compressor to load them and paid another shop to do it. They did it incorrectly with the lower seat installed upside down. It made the springs rock hard and not be able to compress at all. So I had to take it back and get it redone.
https://hotshotoffroad.com/collections/all-bilstein-products

 

Cool thanks.. will hold off on ordering anything til I get clear about it all.. jackstand take tires off have looksee. I have done shocks before straight forward.
Easier than changing BUFF engines in monsoon storms slated to drop payload on Iraq in a couple days!!

 

Excellent info... will do. Ya.. bummer on incorrect assembly.. wil order complete. Tnx for the hotshots connection.
Good thing I posted questions... great site.
Thanks to the both of you!

 

Anything better than those J57s....except the TF-33s....ugh....Good luck on the truck! Do your research and if youre adding weight, try to stay away from add a leafs and get a complete spring pack to hold the weight. Our rear springs are notoriously weak and adding a leaf is just a band aid...

 

Yup... the J57.!! seems like yesterday... never got near the 33's. We were over on Diego Garcia with the KC 135.
Roger that on leaf/band aid.

 

Ever sit on a bomb... !!!