I have a 2000 4x4 Toyota Tacoma, the only thing that is not stock on it is the custom front bumper I built for it.

I have really cheap struts on it right now, and I am looking to put some quality ones on, but they need to be in my price range, around $200 for the pair (broke college student). I have found the Bilstein Adjustable 5100 series, but according to Bilstein they only make them for the 2005 on. Will these work? Any other suggestions?

I have also looked at the daystar spacer kits to get the lift, but then I still have to buy new struts for the front, and I have heard terrible stories about the spacers.

I am tired of banging up my undercarriage on beginners trails.

Any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks for the help.

 

Well got no help from this site. I ended up going with the bilstein 5100 series that is made for RCD suspension, and has an adjustable ride height.

Hope they work out.

 

If you look on toytec they have an adjustable height version of the 5100 for your truck. I put some under my 4runner and they work great. I ran them at stock height for a while until I decided what to do for a rear lift. They work nice at factory height and at the lifted height. Also sorry you didn't get a response right away sometimes the people with the info just aren't on right when things are posted and the get missed. This is a great site with a ton of resources. I have learned a lot just searching and spending a lot of time reading through threads. Oh the link for the toytec shocks
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php...mart&Itemid=72

 

Thanks for the help. Those are the same struts that I ordered for my Tacoma. The only difference between those and the ones I ordered was the price, I got mine quite a bit cheaper, even after shipping.

 

Right on man. I ordered mine through a place in up here in Canada for more than that. But when you enjoy the great nation in the North you get to pay more for just about everything. I think you will like them. Either way let us know what you think.

 

the reason many people do not help too quickly is that it seems by your question that you have not searched enough and using a bump may put this thread where some more likely to help may see it.
remember to search and read past threads.
simple searches such as "adjustable 5100s " often give good results.

 

Bilstein does make shocks/struts for 95-04 Tacoma's. I'm surprised you couldn't find any. Wheeler's Off-Road carries them, as well as shox.com and other suspension sites. I hope they work out for you. I will also be replacing my shocks with Bilstein 5100 series. I know a few people that have blown their OME shocks on their Tacoma's and have had no problems after switching to Bil's.

 

There's no denying that spacers aren't the best choice for suspension lifts, but if you plan on doing a GOOD rear lift in the future anyways (meaning buying new springs), a couple of spacers in the rear right now might be your best bet. Then you can adjust your new front struts up an inch or 2 and get the rear to match for cheap.

The "horror" of spacers is they will wear out your existing springs faster because they will compress more than they are used to. If you are going to buy new springs in the future anyways, who cares what happens to your springs now right? At least you won't bang up your undercarriage. I ran spacers in front and back for like 2 years before they wore my old springs out.

 

Glad you figured out what you needed on your own.
Next time a bump every day or so helps make your thread more accessible - fact is, not many people search on here which is the only way to find a thread that is sitting at the bottom somewhere.
Especially with the amount of traffic that this place gets.

Fink

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I am still waitin on my struts to come in and I won't wait very long before I get them installed once they get here.

 

Got the Bilstein 5100 struts put on at the 2.5" lift, and I gained 2.75" out of it. And with my custom bumper on the front the ride is much smoother than before.

Now my only problem is that my rear leafs are sagging a bit, and I was wondering if I should go with an add a leaf or just a greaseable shackle?

Also which one will give the best ride? Who makes a good one?

I am planning on going to the Bilstein 5100 shocks in the rear also.

 

AAL do wear out over time and greasable shackle are a great cheap lift. I would go with a greasable shackle and save up for some OME new leaf springs in the future...

 

in all reality what you should do is replace the leafs all together snobdds is right as far as I am concerned about the shackles if you want to go through that for the sake of money. However I would suggest calling Alcan if you plan on doing any hauling, they will make you a better set to what ever added lift & weight capability. I have 400lbs added suspension capacity and the ride is great. of course I haul a trailer with mine so there it is.