Bilstein 4600 Monotube OEM Shocks Set for 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD RWD 6 Lug
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Choosing Shocks for your Toyota Tacoma
With over 400,000 miles on our Tacomas here at Shock Surplus, our goal is to bring you experience and feedback from the trails and highways of America. We've ran many different brands at all levels through our own builds, which stretch from being the daily driver to the adventure tourer, seeing every kind of terrain possible. Here we will explore the different options available, what they mean for ride characteristics on your Tacoma, and hopefully guide you into something that makes sense for your truck.
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Introducing
Tacoma Buyer's Guide Video
We break down the pros and cons of the most popular Toyota Tacoma suspension upgrades.
Daily Driver Shock Recommendations
The following shocks give comfort and control on road for your every day driving needs
Overview
One of the aftermarket ride control standards in shock absorbers, Bilstein has designed these shocks to improve handling and ride control, while maintaining relative comfort compared to a softer factory-like shock. Exceptionally long life and dependability, the Bilstein 4600 is not only great for the daily driver, but also capable of towing, hauling loads, and easy offroad trails.
Price
2 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Excellent factory upgrade for improved handling
- Long lasting, very durable
- Reduces nose dive and body roll
- Capable for heavy duty use, easy 4x4 trails
Cons
- Firmer than stock-like shocks
- Higher tier shock, higher price
- Yellow isn't everyone's favorite color
Rancho RS5000X Gas Strut & Shocks Set for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD RWD w/0" lift
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Overview
Serving as an upgrade option on factory trucks, the Rancho RS5000X is a thick bored twin tube gas shock, meant to increase performance in a budget package. The thick body of this shock ensures that it can handle tough situations and loads without much problem, and the budget price means its accessible to a large application base.
Price
2 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Thick body, large oil volume, contributes to performance longevity
- Reliable twin tube technology
- Great price for a 2" gas shock
- 90 Day Ride Guarantee by Rancho
Cons
- Ride quality leaves something to be desired
- Mass produced, shows in the details
Hauling / Towing Shock Recommendations
The following shocks give you the on-road stability and control necessary for hauling and towing loads
Bilstein 5100 Monotube Adjustable Strut & Shocks Set for 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD RWD
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Overview
One of the best selling shocks for the Truck, SUV, and Jeep market, the Bilstein 5100 excels at daily drivability mixed with off-road capability. Slightly firmer than the 4600 series, and firmer than a stock-like shock, these high-pressure gas shocks offer improved handling on lifted vehicles and improved response with larger wheels & tires.
Price
2 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Leveling-Kit ability for certain apps
- Great off-road capable shock upgrade
- Durable, long lasting
- Improved handling on & off-road
- Heavy Duty, Tow, Haul capable
Cons
- Firmer than stock-like shocks
- Performance Shock, higher price
Rancho RS9000XL Adjustable Strut & Shocks Set for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD RWD w/0" lift
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Overview
The adjustable RS9000XL shock has been around for decades at this point, proving just how versatile and useful these shocks are to the truck and Jeep market. Being able to adjust the ride quality from soft to firm at will provides big benefits to drivers of heavy duty rigs, offroaders, and workhorse vehicles.
Price
2 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Control for soft or firm compression damping
- Thick bodied, large oil volume
- Excellent adjustable shock for the price
- 90-day Ride Guarantee by Rancho
Cons
- Knobs prone to breakage, we replace them for free
- Adjustment settings are imperceptible for some drivers
Eibach Pro-Truck Lift System Stage 1 Kit for 2016-2022 Toyota Tacoma 4WD RWD w/2" lift 6 Lug
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Overview
Eibach has unmatched capabilities in the light truck and Jeep market, providing exact matches of dampers and springs for many applications. Designing and manufacturing both the shocks and coil springs for these kits in house, gives Eibach the edge by perfectly matching spring rates and damping requirements for a given application.
Price
3 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Height adjustable shocks allow for leveling your truck
- Monotube design provides consistent fade free performance
- Perfectly matched springs and shocks in a single package
Cons
- Still requires coil spring compressor
Recap of the Hauling / Towing Shocks
Off-Road Shock Recommendations
The following shocks have the durability and longevity you need for tough terrain
Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport Gas Strut & Shocks Set for 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD RWD w/0-2.5" lift
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Overview
Old Man Emu's Nitrocharger and nitrocharger sport shocks are developed in some of the toughest off-road conditions around the outback of Australia. Old Man Emu and ARB have developed a comfortable daily-driver ride, with the ability to eat up washboard roads, rutted trails, and unpredictable terrain.
Price
2 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Exceptional durability
- Excellent for adventure vehicles
- Improved handling and performance
Cons
- Not a smooth riding shock
- Firmer than factory replacements
Fox 2.0 Performance Series Coilovers & Shocks Set for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD RWD 6 Lug
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Overview
The Fox 2.0 IFP high performance shocks are for a go-fast attitude offroad, providing significant handling improvement on & off-road over typical street-shocks. These shocks excel in aggressive terrain and the dirt, and are a great performance upgrade over factory or Bilstein.
Price
3 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Coilovers provide Leveling-kit ability
- Excellent High Performance entry level shock
- Handles hard hits well
- Improves handling and traction in all terrains
- Rebuildable / Serviceable
Cons
- Higher price point compared to similar offerings
- Requires servicing for optimal performance
- Firmer than factory and other factory-like upgrades
Icon 0-2.75" Suspension System Stage 1 Kit for 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD
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Overview
Step into improved handling and comfort for your daily drive and dirt activities. Through ICON’s digressive valving, this leads to improved handling without sacrificing too much ride comfort in the pursuit of spirited driving and high performance.
Price
4 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Improved handling on and off-road
- Built for moderate to high speed
- Rebuildable and serviceable
- Can upgrade through higher stages
Cons
- Requires servicing for optimum performance
- Off-road focused, may be too firm for daily-driver only
Old Man Emu BP-51 Bypass Coilovers + Rear Internal Bypass Shocks Set for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma w/0-3" lift
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Overview
The rebound and compression adjustment is already class-leading features for OE fitted shocks. Add in the internal bypass ports of these shocks and coilovers, and you can see why these are some of our new favorite shocks. The BP51 achieves the ultimate in both comfort and offroad control through the massive amount of ride control tuning.
Price
4 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Compression adjustment to handle varying vehicle loads or tough terrain
- Rebound adjustment to pair against compression for comfort control
- Internal Bypass addresses comfort in every-day driving conditions
Cons
- Compression/Rebound Adjustment is slightly tougher to change than competitors
Fox 2.5 Factory Series Coilovers & Shocks w/ DSC Reservoirs Set for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD RWD
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Overview
Stepping up to the Fox 2.5 Factory Race series shocks brings significant improvements in both comfort and ride control. The increased size of the 2.5" shock offers increased shock oil, lower operating pressures, and allows high speed driving on aggressive terrain while maintaining great control of the vehicle through race-level tuning.
Price
4 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Huge improvement to road comfort and off-road handling in one package
- Adjustable & Reservoir options
- Serviceable, Rebuildable, Custom Tuning Available
- Excellent handling in high speed environments
Cons
- Requires servicing between 30-50k miles for optimum performance
King Shocks 2.5 Performance Coilovers w/ Remote Reservoir + Rear Reservoir Shocks Set for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma 6 Lug 4WD
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Overview
King's tried and true offroad shocks for your application are unmatched in ride comfort and performance, offering legendary tuning out of the box. These shocks really excel in high speed environments and aggressive terrain, for serious off-road enthusiasts.
Price
4 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- One of the highest performing shocks available for OE apps
- Serviceable, Rebuildable, Custom Tuning Available
- Compression adjustment and reservoir options
- Badass Blue color
Cons
- Lacking on features from competitors
- Requires servicing between 30-50k miles for optimum performance
Bilstein B8 8112 ZoneControl CR Coilovers & Rear 8100 Shocks w/ Reservoir Set for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD RWD w/0.4-2.2" lift
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Overview
The newest damper from Bilstein has arrived to challenge the top race companies in the offroad space. These coilovers feature high tech internals such as jounce cutoff and rebound stops within the primary coilovers, giving a huge improvement to all forms of ride control needs on the trail or in the desert.
Price
4 dollar signs out of 4
$$$$
Pros
- Premium german engineering, USA manufacturing
- 60mm piston with high tech internals
- Height adjustment up to 3.5"
- Top of the line offroad ride control for the Tacoma
Cons
- Does not come pre-assembled from Bilstein
- Requires coil-spring compressor for installation
Recap of the Off-Road Socks
