Shock Fitment Question

[Cruecible]

I know I know, "just buy new shocks made for your truck." But if I can save $80, then I will.

A local guy is selling Bilstein 5125 rear shocks, brand new. They are specifically sold for a Tacoma. I read a post from TJTJ about compressed and extended length requirements, and these shocks fit the bill, but in referencing that post about the valving numbers, the numbers for these are different than what were suggested.

The post for reference: "To clarify: If you have a 2000 - 2004 X, and, you are ONLY discussing the REAR SHOCKS:

As long as they compress to 16" OR SHORTER....and extend to 26" OR LONGER, the compressed/extended lengths will work.

You also want them valved at 255/70."


Basically, would these work? The deal is really good and if they could work, I'd like to move quick on them. In my very limited shock knowledge, with the first valving number being smaller, they would be more soft with the compression, but would be stiffer on the extension (than what TJ suggested), if I understand it right.

Part Number: BIL 24-214667
Collapsed Length (IN): 16.14
Extended Length (IN): 25.98
Compression @0.52m/s: 940
Rebound @0.52m/s: 1780
Valving: 178/94

 

[TJTJ]

While you're at it, just paste my PM reply.

 

[Cruecible]

Haha, will do. You can tell I was anxious for a reply, sorry for stalking you

 

[TJTJ]

If you posted on other sites too, just go ahead while the pastes are loaded.

 

[Cruecible]

Excellent help and advice from TJTJ:


The rebound valving is too soft...and the compression valving is a bit hard, so, its not going to be a good choice.

255/70 would work better for your rear axle than 178/94.

If you did 35's instead of 33's, the 94 would be less off at least, but for 33's, 70-80-ish is about right. (OEM is ~ 55)

255 is to control the weight of the rig, especially after adding armor, lift, bumpers, etc....and 178 is a bit soft, even our OEM's are ~ 205.

So control of sprung weight (Rebound) is too light, even softer than OEM shocks.

Control of unsprung weight (compression) is a bit hard at 94 vs 55 stock, or ~ 70 for 33's, etc.

Less control than a stock shock...so you'd have less control of the frame, etc...because of the softness

And the tires/axles, etc, would be jarring due to the added stiffness

So, travel -wise, an improvement over OEM, but, that's about it.

 

[Cruecible]

(To Rok and NMTerras, I was dumb and assumed there was a bushing left behind from the old shocks on the mounting bolt. I didn't even bother to check the other eyelet of the new shock to see that it had a different diameter. Sorry for the confusion!)

Sooooooooo... I found a smoking deal on very gently used Bilstein 5100's for the rear, but they were gently used on a 2nd gen Xterra. I swear I read somewhere that the shocks made for a 2nd gen are compatible with a 1st gen, which in regards to length and valving, are true. However, one eyelet of the shock will fit the mounting bolt just fine, but the other eyelet's diameter is too small to fit.

Has anyone done any sort of work-around to correct this? The easiest thing I can think of is to grind down one of the mounting bolts (probably the one attached to the seat assembly for the leaf pack), or purchase the bolt from the 2nd gen and weld it to the frame after cutting off the original one. Ideally, I'd love to do the TJTJ/Nd4SpdSe mod and mount the shocks in a pyramid configuration to the axle but I don't know how much labor would go into that, or the parts for that matter.

 

[Cruecible]

I'm going to head down to a local off road shop and go with the TJTJ shock mounting option. I'm pretty sure it won't be that much, and I'll be happier with it in the long run

Edit: I now believe that I am missing the inner sleeve that is supposed to go in each eyelet. Out of 4 total eyelets, 2 do not have the sleeves. I called Bilstein and they are going to send me new hardware for the eyelets that should resolve this problem. However, I'm still going to down to the off road shop to see what it would cost for new mounting locations.

 

[TJTJ]

What are the compressed and extended shock lengths?

 

[Cruecible]

14" collapsed and 22.5" extended, 255/70 valving and they're technically 5125's. I pressed out the sleeve in the one eyelet and it fit on the bolts fine after that. Kinda tricky to compress and fit on quickly but I made it work without jacking the truck up. The ride is a night and day difference!

When I upgrade the leaf pack in a year or two, I'll look at the 5160's and do a shock relocation.

 

[Cruecible]

I was also quoted $200 out the door for the material and labor for the shock relocation. I can probably get it done for half that through an acquainted welder buddy

 

[TJTJ]

14" collapsed and 22.5" extended, 255/70 valving and they're technically 5125's. I pressed out the sleeve in the one eyelet and it fit on the bolts fine after that. Kinda tricky to compress and fit on quickly but I made it work without jacking the truck up. The ride is a night and day difference!

When I upgrade the leaf pack in a year or two, I'll look at the 5160's and do a shock relocation.

Damn....you really wanted more like 26" or more extended to allow droop....and more travel.

These have only ~ 8.5" of total travel....and less total length that the OEM shocks' 23"

On the plus side, they should work just great ON road as OEM replacements....but be no better for travel off road than OEM, even if they still work better other than that.


I guess that relocation project and new shocks to replace these will fix all that.

 

[Cruecible]

Well, realistically, my old ones were completely shot and not any better in regards to length than these ones. The price I paid wasn't too bad considering my apparent screwing-over with these. I'm calling NissTec now to see what is the Bilstein part number that they sell as the 3-4" lift.

 

[Cruecible]

NissTec said these are sold as their 2" compatible ones. I'm trying to get in touch with the seller to see what resolution can be achieved since I bought these from him with the understanding they were the 3-4" compatible ones. If I get hosed, well, I'll chalk it up as a learning experience and use these for what I can. They're still better than my old ones, and that's what I'll keep telling myself lol

 

[Cruecible]

I will only buy specific application products... I will only buy specific application products... I will only buy specific application products...

The seller was super cool and will refund me the money. In looking at the correct product number for 5125's: 33-185552, 10.17" travel, collapsed is 15.91" and extended is 25.93"; I can get them on Amazon for $74 a piece. I might also give Danny a call and buy them through him, but I'd be saving around $45 by going through Amazon... At least I now know what exactly I need, and will order accordingly from now on lol.

The 5165's are $200 out the door from Summit... is the extra $60 worth it for a weekend trail rig?

Edit: the 5165's are $200 a piece, not for a pair lol. Decision made

 

[TJTJ]

Your seat of pants impression would be similar enough to save the $60.

 

[Cruecible]

Roger that, the correct 5125's will be ordered. Thank you for the help TJTJ