Softer Rear Shock than 5100 for 1st Gen Taco / 3rd Gen Runner

I'm running 5100s (and OME 906s) on the rear of my 4Runner.
My good friend is running 5100s on the rear of his 02 Tacoma.

Both of us find them to be far too harsh and are looking for a better riding alternative (to match 6112 front shocks). Front end floats, rear end jars, jolts and jumps too often (especially on washboard, obviously).

5160s seem to have pretty similar valving to the 5100s. While not identical, we have no need for resis and there's not a lot of information about ride difference that leads to a large difference.

4600s are softer but OEM length.

KYB shocks off another model vehicle don't seem like they'd hold up as well?

I've run Land Cruiser rear shocks before, but they're too long for a small less than 2 inch rear lift (and OEM rear height) vehicles.

We have no interest in Kings/Icons/etc. Economy and longevity are more our speed.

Stuck with OEM from another Toyota with longer rear shocks? only thing I can think of..

Any insight on something that is as reliable and rugged as 5100s or moreso on thousands of miles of rough terrain and washboards . . . but not so tooth shattering?

My wife and I do pretty long trips (last one was 6,500 miles over 30 days straight) and a good chunk of it is washboard backroads and BLM camping spots. We have a big Summer trip planned and I'd like to swap the rear shocks in the Spring.

Thanks for any insight!

 

Different leafs.
Shocks are fine.

 

Looking for shocks options less stiff than 5100s haha.

For my buddies first gen (leafs) AND my Runner (coils).

No intention of changing leaf springs or coils.

Fully intend to change out shocks.

Didn’t like them on any of the four vehicles I’ve owned them on. Thanks, though!

 

Weight in the rear of the truck; which would then suggest your leaf pack is supporting/lifting the rear end enough to keep your shocks from damping as much.

I get that jarring from the rear end when I hit some trails/roads/washboards and carry nothing more than a fuel jug (plus armor/tiregate).

When I've got the RTT and bed rack on, all that shit disappears and it rides smooth.

 

I appreciate the suggestion for more weight, but when we’re packed to the hilt on a month long trip I’m not going to also being some extra sand bags or something ha.

Specifically only looking for a softer dampened shock. Not coil/leaf/weight.

Just shocks.

We have hundreds of pounds in the back when on long trips between living, camping, food, water, recovery gear, etc. No room nor desire to add any more. Thank you for the tip though!

 

Land cruiser shocks ride really well (just too long) so I’m thinking some other application like FJ/Tundra/5th Gen Runner rear shocks, something smooth riding but a hair longer travel may be the only option.

Again, only looking for creative shock options less stiff than 5100s.

If no ideas, no worries, I’ll keep researching. Just posing the question here. Thank you!

 

5100s (and other shocks) come in multiple valve options and there are softer ones that fit our trucks. Shout out to @ThunderOne for suggesting an alternative PN for them.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stiff-rear-end-after-lift-you-got-the-wrong-shocks.471164/


I would flex out the truck and measure for shocks, then look at the manufacturer catalogs to find one that will fit and has softer valving than the "off the shelf" recommended shocks from 4wd houses.

 

I'm interested in this as well.

My 04 TRD xab is harsh in the rear. My previous 1998 SR5 xcab had a much better ride. I don't know if the difference is 15" vs. 16" wheels is causing it or leafs or shocks.?

subbed

 

No one said throw sand bags in or anything. I assumed you carried little weight because like you, the rear feels stiff with little added weight. Once I'm set up for camping however, it feels way better. Sucks you don't have that same experience.

To piggyback on this suggestion, there are a few 8" and 10" shock options if you go with Bilstein 7100.

I forget the site, shock warehouse or something, but there are a variety that'll fit the stock location and have different valve settings published for them. This would probably be the best route but they're not cheap.

 

All of those factors will play a role. Narrowing it down may take a bit.

For me I’ve narrowed it down piece by piece and while I know 5100s are quite popular here and most are happy with them, I’m simply looking for a different rear shock.

You may have to spend more money on new leaf packs ha.

 

I appreciate the heads up on the 7100s. I’ll begin researching them as well. Thank you!

 

Ohh, so far I’ll say I’ll see if I can find an equivalent without a resi. No need for that for me.

You weren’t joking about the price but if I can find something to match the ride of the front 6112s better I’d be willing to pay a bit more.


5100s all around is one thing. Stiff is less noticeable all around than when your front end floats over something followed by the contrast of the slam of the rear end haha

 

https://www.independent4x.com/Bilstein-7100-Shock-Standard-Body-Remote-Reservoir_p_242.html

No Reservoir is an option with 7100s!

 

Let's back up for just a little bit though.

Why go back and forth trying to figure out rear shocks when really, the best solution is for a rear shock relocation.

You gain additional travel (10" or 12") without cutting into the bed, and you'll have a ton more off the shelf options.

I've gone through Fox 2.0 and Bilstein 5100's in just a few months of ownership last year just for the rears.

Don't even ask about the fronts.