Suspension options for a 2003 Toyota Tacoma TRD Exc cab.

I’m not looking for a lift kit or anything. I looked at the Billstein 5100 front and rear shocks. If I got those, should I stay with oem coils and leaf springs?

 

If you don't want any lift yeah stick with OEM, best quality you can get

 

Okay. I’ll go look at oem to see the price difference.

 

Rockauto has the best prices

 

depends on how worn out your suspension is. You can start with the bilsteins and go from there.

 

Do the 5100s have good down travel?

 

pretty decent.

 

I think wheelers has it cheaper for the set.

 

I'm in the same boat. Stock 2003 Double Cab with 331,000 miles. Suspension has never been replaced and is in dire need of an upgrade. Not necessarily interested in lifts, etc. Talked to Wheeler's and they said you cannot install the Bilstein 5100's in the front and back without upgrading other components because the 5100's are made for an application with lift (Don't quote me but I think around 1.5"). From the research I've done I think I'm going to go with 1 of the 2 options below:

1st OPTION - Shipped with front strut pre-assembly from Wheelers = $1,400
OME full kit - Replaces coils, all 4 shocks, rear leafs and includes new hardware (adds around 2"-2.25" of lift)

2nd OPTION - $1173.70 (no strut assembly and before shipping)
OME 881 Coils - $167.20
Bilstein 5100's (front and rear) - Front adjustable = $175.50 / Rear = $150 (Total = $325.50)
All Pro Rear Leaf Pack complete kit = $681

I'd like to get others thoughts on the pros and cons of these setups as well...

 

Thats untrue from my understanding, I could be wrong.

But you can use the 5100's, adjust them to lift with stock springs.

Someone else chime in and correct me if I am wrong.

** I am not talking a full 3 inch lift with just the shocks, Just 1.75 or enough to remove the rake of stock.

 

I'm not saying you're wrong because that's what I've read all over this board. HOWEVER, when I called to speak to the specialists at Wheeler's they said they had an option on their site, but took it down because the info from Bilstein was misleading and they now do not recommend that you install the 5100's in the front and rear with a stock setup. I explained to them the whole, "but you just set it to the lowest setting, etc." and they said no, they are designed to be installed with a slight lift or they will bottom out prematurely...

 

If I put new Heavy duty leaf springs on the back that add 1.5” unloaded could I do the 5100 all around?

 

New shocks should be able to drive old coils. IIRC though, bilstein 4600s would get you back to stock, not the 5100s. They came with the truck.

If you're looking for reasonably priced replacements, I've had Monroe quick struts in the front since 2012. They didn't lift the truck much (if at all) and were super easy to install because they're coil overs.

$63 Monroe Quick-Strut 171352R Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly for Toyota Tacoma

They're half off on amazon right now.

I'm likely buying the wheelers OME package next week myself. Interested in lifting the truck now.

Edit: Grammar is hard.

 

Are they adjustable coil overs?

 

You can use the 5100 Bilstein if you go with the HD springs I have for sale - that was the route I was going to go until I went with the OEM replacement leafs and 4600 Bilsteins. The 5100’s are rated for 1.5” of rear lift, and the front struts can be adjusted (w/ OEM springs) to give you lift in the front. You cannot use 5100 in the rear without spring lift, per Bilstein.

 

Not that I can remember.

 

I got 4600's on my 1st gen. Pretty good shocks imo. Much better than the monroe garbage that was on there.

 

I think thats what I'm going to do. Ill pm you now.