Yes, I know. Another question about shocks...

...but I haven't found the definitive answer in my searches. I have a 2004 V6 Extra Cab TRD manual 5sp and the shocks are original and kaput at 106k miles. The truck is 100% factory original (no lift or modifications at all) and I do not off road much at all. It's primarily a road vehicle that tows my little boat (under 1500 lbs total with trailer) and does light hauling.
I want to replace the rear shocks myself first.
I'm wondering if the KYB Gas-A-Just or Monomax shocks that my online seller says are recommended OE replacement parts will do the job or should I spend the extra $40 a piece and get Billsteins?

 

Who is your online seller? Just curious.

Look at RockAuto. The delta to use Bilsteins is closer to $30.

Assuming the truck is a keeper, I'd go with the Bilsteins. They are actually about the same as OE shocks in terms of valving according to some knowledgeable folks around here. While anything will be better than worn out units, you should expect similar life from these.

I've had good luck with KYBs in a few applications as well. Should easily function fine for your use in the 50-75k range I'd expect.

 

I was looking at AutoZone website. I'm not a huge fan but they're offering 20% off online-ship to home purchases plus a $10 gift card and free shipping so it's kinda hard to pass up. KYB gas-a-just is $64.99 each. Billstein's are $109.99 each.

With the discount they'd be $52 and $88 apiece.

I just got a new family vehicle for the wife and kid so I'm planning on keeping the truck pretty much forever. The miles are low but I'm at the 144 month maintenance interval so besides shocks I need to do differential oil, propeller shaft lube etc. What I know I can do already will get done, the rest I'll look up here. What I can't do I have a good mechanic.

I carfaxed the truck and there is an open recall on the spare tire carrier plate (which I'm going to get fixed) but nothing about the frame. I wasn't a part of the recall when I checked years ago and still am ok, I guess. Looking under there it seems like there isn't anything that looks like excessive rust.

Thanks for the reply.

 

i had gas adjust kybs on my truck. rode great on road. horrible offroad. valving is on the soft side and it can get a little bouncy.

 

I was going just get some Monroe Quickstruts, but I'm debating on getting the Bilstein 5100's. I hear you need a 2 inch lift in the rear in order to install them?

I was going to get the Monroes since I don't have to remove the front coils. Should I spring for the 5100's or the Monroe's?

 

Look at Rock Auto. Bilstenes are $10 less than that to start with. You will add shipping, but still, compared to the 'list' of 110 at AutoZone, you start off over 30 ahead.

 

Huh?

You mean the monroes come as an assembly, springs included?

 

Yes, the Monroes come as a full strut assembly. It's just bolt on bolt off.

I've been reading in a lot of different places that in order to install the 5100's on a stock Tacoma, the rear shocks require a 2 inch lift.

 

get Bilstein 4600 HD had them on my 2004(2 sets) were great

 

Link? I think you have it backwards.

5100s and OE only work UP TO a 2" lift. But that's backward from what you are saying.

More lift? A longer model is needed. Like a 5125 or something.

 

Just ordered from RockAuto. With the promo code from here the shipping was free plus an additional dollar something off and it still beat the discounted AutoZone price. Thanks, man.

 

Something about a rake? I can't remember.

I'm changing them myself so I don't want to mess with the whole spring compression. If the Bilsteins are more worth it, I'll just have a mechanic do it for me.

Are Monroe QuickStruts decent enough? Any recommendations for full shock/spring/strut assemblies?

 

I have no clue. But on a keeper truck I wouldn't use them. Just borrow the spring compressors from a parts house thru their tool loaner program and change them yourself. The OE springs are not overly large or stiff.

 

Where do I find the promo code? Thanks

 

You can order the fronts Pre assembled and nit have to mess with a compressor at all. Lucky for me, when I had my Bilstein lift, I installed it at the college auto shop and they have a really nice spring compressor where you turn the top of it and there are 4 arms that go onto the spring and as you turn, it compresses the spring and holds it as you put the 5100 on the clip setting you want. Works great. Way better than those darn hand held ones.

 

On the fronts, it seems to me that at some point the original coil spring would need to be replaced. Yeah? How do you know when you reached that point? I ask because I was considering buying the monroe shock/spring combo as well.

 

Do you know a place where I can get them pre-installed? I can't seem to find them online.

 

I'm pretty sure @Wheeler's Off-Road & @HeadStrong Off-Road both offer that service. It's not cheap though. $100 I think, just to pre assemble. But worth it if you don't or can't do it yourself.

 

Is it really that difficult to do? I keep hearing it's super dangerous. I can pick up some spring compressors on Amazon for around 30 dollars.

 

I tried the hand held ones that I rented from the parts store on my very first lift I put on. (Spacer lift) and the spring compressor arms kept slipping off the coils of the spring. So I took it to Les Schwab and they assembled the springs on my stock Bilstein shocks for me. Then I installed the coil overs myself. But like I said in a previous post. I got lucky and was able to use the the other type of compressor at the college auto shop when I installed my 2nd lift, 5100's w/ Eibach coils. Now I have my Icons and with those you don't have to mess with any of that stuff!