I need some opinions. I want to replace my worn out stock Bilsteins (2000 Tacoma TRD) with new shocks for the front and back, but I don't know what to get. I drive 80% road, 20% off-road. Should I just replace with new Bilsteins, or try some Ranchos? Which is better?

 

The blue Tokicos

 

bilsteins are better than ranchos

 

Yeah, I read some other posts and ordered the Tokico Trekmasters. They will definitely be an improvement over these old bilsteins...

 

The Trekmasters are not the Blue Tokicos, these are somewhat blue-green. But these are also good shocks...almost as good as the blue ones..
for more info, check this out (there's some explanation on the shocks in the lower part of the page):
http://www.sonoransteel.com/store_co..._liftkits.html

i would recommend that you buy and install the oem toyota nuts for the top support in lieu of the tokico trekmaster nuts. there have been cases of these nuts failing. you can also install the tokico nut after the oem nut..

but then maybe tokico has made the corrective action for that nut issue.

 

Yeah, nobody wants nut problems, that's for sure...ha!

Thanks for the info about the Trekmasters. But why do I have to buy new nuts, couldn't I just use the old OEM ones with the new shocks?

 

the oem nuts have nyloc so if you use the old ones, so the nyloc portion is already worn

 

Don't get HD Bilsteins for the Taco, they have no rebound damping. The model for the 4runners are identical in length but have a lot more rebound. I have seen the specs, they available from Bilstein. It's almost ridiculous the difference. The vehicles don't weigh all that much different.

I only like HD Bilsteins because I get them replaced for free when they wear out. Which is every 1 to 2 years for me.

 

I like my Old Man Emu's.