SHOCK UPGRADE

what’s up fellas, so this weekend was my first time taking my Tundra off-roading, and i blew out my front shocks

i’m looking to replace them but if there’s a slight upgrade option around the same price i’d get the stock yellow/blue shocks for, why not right?

any suggestions? please let me know
thanks

 

This is exactly why everbody recommends you do not run off road with spacers.
Bilstein 5100 will be a pretty equivalent upgrade with height adjustability to get rid of the spacers.

You can run your budget up from there.

If you're going to make a habit out of wheeling (and you should as your in a good area for it check out the suspension thread). But make sure your wallet is ready.

 

How many miles were on your bilstiens when they blew? Were you jumping the truck or something? How you use the truck will play into which upgrades you should get.

 

I may have missed it but I didn’t see him saying anything about spacers.

tbh if you’re looking for a budget option then there are plenty of folks selling used shocks here. Other than that I would buy once cry once and go with something that would last you a long time and you can feel comfortable off roading

 

1.75” Rough Country Leveling Kit 275/70/18

in his profile thing on the left?
Spacer lift, No?

 

i have 120k miles on my stock shocks.
i wasn’t jumping it, the sand was very soft and ended up having more bumps and rocks than what was visible.

i don’t plan on going off roadinng in my truck anymore lol

since i blew them out, might as well do a slight upgrade.

 

yes, i have a leveling kit lift only.
does that make it worst when going off road?

 

Its not that surprising with that amount of miles and the spacer that they blew out. i wouldnt be overly concerned. if you upgrade to 5100's you can ditch the spacer and put the 5100s on the 3rd setting which is about 1.9". Those would make a world of difference offroad.

 

Yes, but I'd imagine your issue was more due to the suspensions age more than the spacers. Unless you were bottoming out while off roading

 

what are the 5100’s ?
enlighten me, i’m a noob haha

 

it did get really bouncy, and most likely bottomed out a couple times

 

This is the wrong answer. You absolutely should be able to take your truck off trail/on the beach etc and do truck stuff.

Just need to update your equipment to do it. (shocks typically only last 100k anyway or less).

5100 would be your budget upgrade, remove the spacers (they stress the stocks when you push them off road and sand is probably a bit more aggressive for your suspension then hard pack as your shocks probably do more work at weirder angles (i'm guessing).

Bilstein makes shocks for toyota (sorta, toyota specs bilstien shocks) oem bilstien shocks are mass produced at pennies for the trucks. Bilstein makes OEM replacements with no adjustablity for truck height (no shock internal adjustments).
Then they go from there.

5100's would be great replacements for OEM with a slightly better ride at similar price point. about $250 for all four shocks (you need to reuse your springs)
6112/5160's would be better (about $1k) parts
then the 8k series shocks have adjustments. (but they start at $2K+)

These reads like i'm a Bilstein fan, but there are many equally good shocks and you should shop around to find them.

In your area calling Dirty Deeds outta San Diego, would be a good place to start.

 

i need to rephrase that, i don’t plan on riding up sand slopes in my truck anymore lol. i do go snowboarding and drive in dirt trails but this time i took it up a hill that only Can am’s were hitting. i did watch a couple trucks attempt it after i got up there and watched them fail and sink in the sand.

only $250 for all 4 shocks! i thought i was going to spend about $500-$700
with that being said, any other recommendations for my suspension within that budget? front/ rear sway bar?

i daily drive my truck, i do mostly city driving, about once or twice a year i go out to the mountains to snowboard but don’t much snow trails or dirt trails to be honest.

 

this makes me happy to hear. You absolutely did the right thing and you should push your truck& yourself to see where the limit is. Sand is a good place to this as your risk is low if you make a mistake (i've never been in actually dune sand so please take my keyboard warrioring for what its worth)

you live in overland central.
I think you need to meet up with the guys that wheel in that area and get after it. Just let them know your just learning and to join appropriate routes and such.

(and my prices may be way off, i paid $1k for the 6112/5160 upgrade 4 years ago from ebay)

A sway bar is not going to make your truck any more off-road (or improve it) it will make it corner better in the canyons and on-ramps. So it would be a consideration for an upgrade.

You can't go 50 miles outta LA and not hit an off-road shop. Might be worth finding somebody you trust to talk about this.
(dirtydeeds outta San diego,ca just happens to wheel a tundra and is active on this forum.
Hopefully, the west coast crew chimes in.

 

thanks for the info man, i really appreciate it.

i’ll have to hit up dirty deeds, gotta get those shocks asap. my truck looks slammed in the front right now lol
i live in Orange County but i do go to San Diego quite often to be honest at least 2-3x a month

im getting the shocks FOR SURE and maybe the front + rear sway bar. possibly even a TRD skid plate (has been on my wish list for a while now)

 

Bilstein 5100's is the model of shocks. Its the basic set that still have adjustability and is and improvement over stock for offroading and a more solid feel versus the stock suspension.

 

so i did reach out to DirtyDeeds and he says he can’t get the 5100’s at the moment. i searched them up and haven’t found anything cheaper than this set for $422 on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LRJ88EC

if you or anyone else has a link for a cheaper price, LMK

 

Unfortunately, i bought my stuff before the world went side-ways.
a word of caution though if you buy Amazon and have an issue your outta luck, if you buy local for the extra 20 -50 bucks if you haven issue your have somebody to help out.

Are there any local 4WD shops in Orange County you can call?

(note, if you buy 5100 fronts you will need to transfer the front spring from the OEM shock)

If you source 6112's they come with new spring (still need to be mounted or you can pay to have mounted before delivery).

Good luck.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184160789375?epid=1394412401
(you could best off down and see what they take?)

 

For excellent customer svc and a meet or beat pricing platform, contact Darren @BOSS4x4s

I purchased my 5100s from him for our Sequoia (never goes off road) and they're fantastic. I have also purchased nearly every major upgraded part on my Tundra from him. He will guide you if you have questions.

 

so i did find an off-road store near me that has the front shocks in stock. the rear will arrive in a week or so.

the front set is priced at $145 each for the shock absorbers.

any other components on the shocks i should replace or upgrade for this install?

thanks again

 

Bilstein 5100 0.87-2.28" adjustable front 0-1" rear lift shocks for 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra (bilsteinlifts.com)

They use your existing OEM springs

 

I replaced the soft goods (rubber) on my shocks when i upgraded. (OEM parts, you'd have to ask Roman or your local dealership for p/ns).

I realize this may not matter to you (LA is pretty salt free) but I would absolutely spray these shock bodies with clear coat before i installed. Especially if you are heading to the mountains to ski/snowboard. They are aluminized shafts but carbon steel bodies. (Carbon steel rusts pretty quick when it sees salt water).

My shocks 4 years old look like they spent 10 years under water.

(If your throwing out the upgrade word. Some nice upper control arms would be nice.)

Note: you absolutely have to get your front end aligned after the swap. (no choice).

 

I think your are at your budget.

Just so we're on the same page here.
$250 for front shocks parts
2 hours to install with swapping shock springs= $100 to $200 bucks (you need a spring compressor or a shop to do it)
Alignment: $75-125 bucks. you should pick a recommended alignment shop and ensure you research this first as you are modifying from stock and may need somebody who actually adjusts them and understanding they side of the adjustment to loosen and what to look for when doing the adjustment. (tires are expensive so it matters)

Rear's when you can get them are 2 bolts side and driveway work, no alignment needed for this work.

You can replace front shocks about 45 minutes a side if you break the lower control arm joint (two bolts) (don't mess with the ball joints) and unbolt the shocks. loosen the LCA adjustment so the lower will move outta the way for clearance. Granted if you are just paying for shock swaps you need to do both sides at the same time.

Hopefully this is old news and you already talked with your local shop and have a plan.

 

got it all set up already guys,

THANKS FOR THE HELP

 

Take some pictures and make sure to follow up with any improvements the parts provide.

 

just gotta wash her and you bet ya!

 

Just bought Bilstein 5100’s and CM shims from @BOSS4x4s. Look forward to getting them installed in a few days.

How has the ride been for those with 5100s on the top notch? Debating middle setting with CM shims both sides adding .5” or top notch with 1 side for the lean.

 

I didn't want lift so I put my coils on the lowest setting. I believe it still does .5" of lift but it's hardly noticeable on my ride. Maybe someone else can chime in on what it's like on the highest setting.