I know the stock Bilsteins in the rear must be replaced after a lift. But a while ago, while still in stock trim, I purchased the heavy-duty Bilstein replacements from a NAPA or AutoZone or something. The shock casing is notably thicker and more robust than the stock units, but I can't remember which model number they were.
Question is:
Would these work with a 2-inch Add-A-Leaf in the rear? I don't want to spend the big bucks on new shocks if my HD ones will be long enough to work.

You're going to have to measure them. They're probably the same length as stock, but the only real way to check would be to jack up the frame and take the rear shocks off, lift the frame to where the wheels are just off the ground, and see if the shocks will go 2" longer than that.

stock travel on rear is about 6.5" so you would probably have issues putting stock replacement shocks with a rear lift on...

you would want to look into the 8" and 8.5" travels or do 8.5" travels on both sides...

Yea, I kind of figured they wouldn't be long enough. But it was worth a shot! If anyone knows of a decent place in SoCal to get some 5125 Series Bilsteins, let me know! Would AutoZone have those, or would I need to go to a specialty shop....

Socal, just noticed you're from down here too!

Is there a 4Wheel Parts anywhere near you? I'd go there before a NAPA <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I work down in Anahiem area quite often, I'd like to check out 'yer supercharged Taco one of these times! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-Dano-
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Yea there's actually one about 25 minutes away from me, in Riverside (the ol' 909). Never been to one before, so it's probably worth a shot!

I just put my 3-inch front cheat lift on yesterday (Toytec coil lift, no OME coils yet, just couldn't afford it), but ran out of time to do the rear. Those front stock coils are TOUGH to compress!!!!! I had to run 2 sets of compressors! But, I kind of like the gnarly prerunner look it gave it, I might just save those rear AALs for another day, haha <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'll PM you my phone number, so next time you're in A-Town, give me a ring and we can talk taco. I work in Costa Mesa, so I'm not too far away. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Ended up finishing the rear the next day. Talk about another pain in the arse! Trying to line up those spring leaf holes for the new center pin was a biatch!
Put some new BFG All-Terrain 32x11.5 tires on it 2 days later. Looks AWESOME! I LOVE the ride now, it feels so much more confident and it handles much better, in my opinion.

BUT, they're right about the shocks in the back; you need longer ones with any lift. Nothing major, but if I go over speed bumps fast or anything like that, I hear a big clunk in the back from the shocks hitting their limits.
Just ordered a new set of Bilstein 5125s and the appropriate bushings that should be coming early next week. Then she'll be ready to head back out in the rough stuff. Good times!

Just an FYI in case anyone ever was wondering... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

OH MAN!

lol

I know EXACTLY what you mean!

I ended up having my G/F laying on the ground, and pushing on the axle with her legs so I could get them to line up! LOL

But, it's well worth it IMO <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-Dano-
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

One last update:

I put the rear 5125s on last night, and they just reinforced my theory that nothing ever takes as long as you initially think! You'd think that replacing rear shocks would be about 30 minutes worth of work; unbolt here, reattach there, and you're set.
Wrong.
The bushings supplied with the new Bilsteins were tapered and a bit too narrow in the center of the shock mount. Even after greasing it up, muscling it, and cursing at it, I just couldn't get the shock all the way onto the mount.
I ended up cutting the solid bushing in half -- like the stock ones are -- then reassembling from there, one side of the shock at a time. It worked like a charm.
3 hours later, I had new 5125 series long-travel Bilsteins on the back of my truck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

Once again, just wanted to throw that out there in case anyone ever came across the same problem!

now that you're done... go wheeling with us tomorrow out in Lucerne Valley...

gonna be a big run... about 20 tacomas or so...

email me for info...

michaelanthony@8x10proofs.com

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