Rear shocks. What should I get?

I have a 2006 2wd DC with 105k mikes and the oil change shop said rear tires were cupping and that I needed new shocks. I do most of my maint. but wanted some advice on what shocks to put on and if it’s a hard job or not.

Thanks

 

Bilstein 4600, front and rear. Rears are easy. Fronts, not so much, but do-able with a good set of spring compressors.

 

Thx. I probably do rears and pay to get fronts done. Thought they said only rears bad now.

 

I would do all 4.

 

^^ Does not compute.

Regardless, take whatever the quickie lube guys say with a grain of salt. Check it out (the tires) for yourself first. Unless the shocks are leaking or visibly damaged, I would be suspicious. Shouldn't be causing cupping unless there is another problem beyond age.

 

So... I agree with ^ this, about there being potentially more than one reason for cupping. However, if those are the original shocks, it’s well past time to replace them.

 

Bilstein 5100. A great value.

 

Just got Bilstein 5100 and not happy with them. The6 ride like crap. I had the same shocks but they were made in Germany. Much better and lasted over 15 years. Maybe I go5. Bad set

 

Your rear molars cracking on rough roads?

 

The 4600 is the same shock Toyota installs with their off road package, but they are painted Red instead of Yellow. I have used the 4600 shocks for more than 20 years, they are a great shock at a great value.

 

I went 5100 for all 4 and love them. I have the front two set to middle and have no complaints. Replaced my factory shocks at 130,000 and could tell a huge difference. Well worth it!

 

Keep in mind if you're rolling on 15-20 year old leaf springs the rear shocks are only gonna do so much. I have had 3 sets of rear shocks on my truck before I touched the front and there was zero difference in ride quality. I had the original 4600's which I replaced with new 4600's. Then I replaced those with ICON 2.0's and again, no difference(in the rear).

You're better off replacing both the leaf packs and the rear shocks if you actually want the truck to ride a little nicer. I know my rear leaf packs are toast at this point.

 

Another option is to go to Rock Auto and get some KYB front shocks already installed in the coil with makes it a strut, and just get matching shocks for the rear. And yes folks, bad shocks can cause tires to cup, and you cant tell just by looking at it.

 

Alignment shop would be a better source of information on why your tires are cupping. Poor road contact caused by a bouncing tire due to a worn out shock could indeed cause cupping of a tire. Could also be tie rod end play, out of alignment toe etc. If your suspension is all original from the factory, then it's due for some inspection and likely repair. Shocks, even if visibly OK are not performing the way they did when new. Usually last 60k miles or so, but your driving conditions will be the major factor. Gravel roads, pot holes, towing etc. will accelerate the wear. Age is the other factor. The rubber bushings and seals don't last forever and will deteriorate due to environmental conditions. I've still got the factory upper and lower A arm bushings but have replaced everything else and the truck steers and rides pretty well. The 5100's are definitely a stiffer ride on my truck than the original shocks. But there's less nose dive and the truck stays very settled in bouncy off road situations. Haven't had the 4600's. Do not buy cheap parts for the front suspension. I had a set of aftermarket tie rod ends last only 3 months.

 

Any recommendations on rear leaf packs to maintain a nice ride? I recently replaced the 4 shocks with Bilstein 5100's and like the way it rides, but it doesn't seem to take much payload to make the rear squat. I'm usually just carrying a couple of dual sport bikes in the back, and occasional towing of a flatbed trailer with a side by side (less than 3000 lbs).

 

I'm really not very knowledgeable on leaf packs but to maintain the factory ride I would assume OEM Toyota packs would be good. Not cheap though. If you're on a budget a few people have opted for new leaf packs by General.

 

I’ll be using General Springs unless someone changes my mind. Reason for going their future route is because I want to keep the truck OEM as possible and General makes an OEM fitted spring to exact specs for about $129 each vs. $$$ for Toy ones.

You will have to buy shackles (going OEM from Toy for these) and bushings/bolts, etc. separately.

$129+$129+$180(shackles)+$100(errata)=$540 plus tax

 

What do you mean by this(I honestly don't know). Same number of leafs on each side? Do we know if they ride about the same?

 

The General Spring specs (size specs) are made to the exact specs as the Toy OEM specs. Thus, ‘OEM fitted spring’ which in all technical matters would be considered OE.

As far as tension and spring deflections of the metals I have no idea on those specs. I do know these General Springs are made in the USA with USA steel by USA people. Can’t vouch for the ride quality as I still have my originals on.

Unless someone changes my mind I am using GS. Now, if I was doing a lift or carrying unnecessary weight all the time I’d go with one of the other companies where I would have to send in my all measurements and weights and tilt bias and etc.

BTW, GS makes a heavy duty version for our trucks for a little more$ (but still reasonably priced).

Go to their website and plug in your info.

 

I just called up a local spring shop and was quoted $450-500 to re-arc my existing springs. He said adding a leaf (if desired) would be about an additional $100. The truck is still very new to me so I think I'm going to drive it some more as is to try and see which way I want to go. Doing it all myself is certainly a possibility at that price point.

 

Ye. Same price tits for tats for new, PLUS the nuanced benefit is you are buying new shackles which need to be done, too.

I’ll Opsho coat and then rattle can paint mine before install.

 

For that price, I’d probably buy new leafs from Deaver or Alcan.

 

Whats the price tag on those?

 

I think $918 for 2” Deaver. A little higher than I remembered. But I don’t see a re-bend being productive. All leaf springs sag. Once metal’s sagged, I’d think it’d be even quicker to sag again.

 

Includes all the extras (shackles, bushings, u-bolts, etc.)?

 

I don’t know. It’s been awhile. Probably not. But it should be easy to find out by contacting Deaver. Or Alcan. What I posted was based on a cursory internet search. Anyway, gotta make the same choices if you remove, re-arc, and reinstall— replace all the extra bits or reuse any.

 

I just replaced mine with these. https://www.autoandtrucksprings.com...vy-duty-rear-leaf-spring-both-sides-90-221hd/

Been very happy with hem so far. I was a little worried they'd ride rough being the HD version, but the ride is great. They come with bushings and I reused my shackles.

 

Reusing the shackles would save mucho clam$. Only reason I want to replace them is because they have a set of bushings that I assume wear out.

Your link looks like a the prices are about the same for regular duty compared to General Springs. Your HD Leaf link price looks like a much better.

 

You usually get one or the other, load support or ride. Hard to have both. If the truck won't squat with a load, it wont absorb bumps well empty. Anyone here running an airbag rear suspension assist? you could keep the factory ride and just pump up the bags when you add load in the bed to reduce squat. Guys that tow big trailers will do this. Doesn't increase the amount of weight you can carry, but keeps the truck more level and helps prevent bottoming out on the bump stops. Another option is air shocks, but I have no personal experience with them. Replaces your shocks with a shock that can be pumped up or down to keep the rear level with a load. I've thought about the airbag assist, adding the compressor for the airbags would push me over the edge and I could order a rear air locker!

 

Any leaf springs will come with bushings and the inner sleeves. Some will come with u bolt kits, if they don't Wheelers has them for about $30 tax free(and they send candy).

The shackles would be separate, when I swapped my leafs I did have a set of TC shackles that I was considering using but my old shackles looked fine so they went back in.