Looking for shock recommendations for '04 Tacoma

[Clawhammer]

Hey folks, I recently took my Tacoma on a 4k mile roadtrip that involved some wheeling and camping, but mostly highway driving. I was less than impressed with the suspension's ability to soak up bumps off road and annoyed with body roll on the freeway, so I'm thinking it's a good time to look for new shocks.

Honestly, if I had my way, I'd do a mild lift while I'm at it (1-2" only) but the only components I can find to lift are 2.5" minimum and that makes swapping out control arms, extending brake lines and a differential drop a good idea. Also, that would be pretty hard on the CV boots/joints. I'm not really interested in doing all that right now, so I'm thinking of just going with stiffer shocks at the moment.

I'm thinking of going with Bilstein 5100's in the front and either 5100's in the rear, or possibly 5125's. I figure that way, if I want to lift it in the future, I could change the setting on the front shocks/add coils while the back shocks would already have the extra travel needed (if I go with the 5125's) for an add-a-leaf or whatever. Thoughts?

If it matters, the truck's an '04 Tacoma, V6/auto, with 106k on the clock, and I'm running 265/75/16's. The trip I just went on is pretty typical of my adventures (miles of highway to get to a camping spot, running relatively mild trails).

Does anyone with experience on the subject have some insight? Are there other shocks I should consider? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[ol' scott]

I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for but I have an '02 double cab and plan on running OME 881 up front with OME shocks all around and an AAL in the rear. Everything is sitting in the garage just waiting for a gap in my teaching/coaching life. From what I can figure the 881's should net around 1.5-2 inches once they settle which is what I'm looking for and it sounds like you're looking for too.

 

[jlcanterbury]

I run Icon Coil overs in the front and am very happy. They gave me about 2.5" of lift in the front before winch and bumper, which brought the front lift below 2" which is just where I wanted it. The Icons are adjustable, so you can decide how much lift you want and not worry about brake lines, angles, UCA's etc.

In the rear I just tossed a cheap AAL onto my worn out springs and it has worked fine. Replaced the shocks with OME 60062's. I plan on getting a custom pack made for the rear to give me the proper lift and support my Flippac and water tanks. The $40 AAL works just fine for the time being.

 

[2scars]

I had an 04 extra cab before the Double and found that the adjustable billies in the front with stock springs to not be all that bad. They weren't going to survive mobbing through the desert, but for occasional trips camping and just a little added tire clearance they were great. Slide a long add a leaf in the rear to better support your gear and add rear billies too. And then save for either new OME or better, or for the next trip. Cool overs and custom leaves have their place, but the trucks can be plenty capable with very little work done. I have too much lift for my taste, I prefer lower center of gravity while adding load capacity. If you aren't going bigger than 265/75 you don't need much.

 

[Clawhammer]

What AAL are you all running? If I ran the 5100's, I'd like to set them at 1.25" and I'd like to throw a 1" AAL in the rear, but the thinnest one I can find is 1.5"

I'm wondering if I ran a 1.5" AAL in the rear and used the Billies (with the stock springs) set at 2.5" if I wouldn't actually get the full 2.5... if I wound up gaining 2" or a little less, I'd be happy. Of course with my luck, I'd end up with more than I want and blown CV boots.

Anyone having any trouble with alignment (I hear sometimes even when it's in spec, the tires will wear funny after a lift) or brake lines or CV angles (boots pinching) or anything like that?

@2cars, What did you set your shocks at?

 

[2scars]

The stock springs will fatigue relatively quickly at 2.5". Thats what some people will say is the problem. How about this, try a junk yard and grab some s-10 or ranger or even tacoma rear leaves and add them to yours. that way you will be adding multiple leaves and the load will be up while maintaining flex. I ran mine all over the place. I think at first they were on the middle. Actually first I added a set of TRD V6 coils in the front, then the billies. The TRD springs gave me an inch in the 4 cyl. Later I added 881s to the billies and that is how I sold the truck. Keep in mind I had a spring compressor available to me when I wanted to mess with them. Now I don't and wish I did. I didn't start tearing boots until I got the Dcab and it had 240K on it already. I just did the boot slide mod and it totally works.

If you have the $1K to spend I would say do the OME kit with 881s and factory shackles and have a great working SYSTEM, it really will only add about 2" to an unladen truck. OME also spec pulling a leaf from their pack to lighten the lift in the rear. I keep coming back to them for suspension. I can't stand the All Pro expo leaves for my use, even with a few leaves removed, too much arch and a rough ride.

Brandon

 

[SIZZLE]

I did icons up front and deavers with bilstein 5100s in the the back on my first gen. I got about 2.5" and didn't have to mess with UCAs, brake lines, diff drops or anything else. So I wouldn't worry about it. I was able to run 33" tires with that set up. It was nice, but pricey. I have had an OME set up on my 80 series and now my second gen tacoma. I really like the ride and would recommend looking into them.

 

[Clawhammer]

After doing a bunch of research, I'm leaning towards this kit with the 881's and no spacers: http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Old-Man-Emu-Tacoma-suspension_p_225.html

Would I need new bumpstops in the rear?

 

[2scars]

Nah, I wouldn't bother, reuse the factory ones. Also, unless you have spring compressors, go ahead and have them assemble the front struts, that way you also get new isolators and all that.

 

[Arktikos]

New stock height coil over shocks for the front would fix your problem and not cost much. Removing old coils and shocks as a unit can be done without spring compressors. Just leave the rears alone.

 

[JLee]

New stock height coil over shocks for the front would fix your problem and not cost much. Removing old coils and shocks as a unit can be done without spring compressors. Just leave the rears alone.

Or swap matching rear shocks and leave the rear springs. I would upgrade both axles simultaneously.

 

[Arktikos]

Or swap matching rear shocks and leave the rear springs. I would upgrade both axles simultaneously.

Yes, good point. Absolutely.

 

[austintaco]

Tundra coils and bilstein adjustables. Contact Steve at Sonoran Steel or just read through his site and order up. I did Tundra coils and shocks first, back in 07, and then switched to the bilsteins 2 years ago. With these trucks, and tundra coils, you HAVE to align the ends of the coil wraps correctly or you will get a clicking noise. I believe that Steve sells his with them ready to mount as a strut.