Replacing shock absorbers

Hello, I am the original owner of a 2005 Tundra SR5 with 235,000 miles. I have never had the shocks replaced. I don't off-road at all. I often drive on rural highways, far from any service station, and I would like to maintain my truck well, so as to avoid problems. Right now the shocks don't show any signs of trouble (tires wear evenly, no fluids on my driveway, truck handles well). But I would like to keep using my truck until the engine goes, so I'm wanting to replace the shocks.

Could anyone suggest a manufacturer and model of shock absorber that would be a good fit? And, what would be a reasonable labor charge to replace all four shocks? Thanks very much.

 

Bilstein4600. Quality trd replacement

 

If you plan on driving until the engine fails, you're only about 1/4th of the way there!
You cant go wrong with Bilstein shocks. I'd be really surprised if you have a failed or failing shock now, even after 235K miles. You're definitely in the right part of the country for vehicle longevity

oh and welcome to the club!

 

If not lifted, go Bilstein 4600. If lifted, leveled or you plan to lift, Bilstein 5100.

 

Bilstein 5100’s. Should be $2-3 hundred for install and alignment

 

I feel a shock war heating up.

 

Yup. I run them on my 1997 T100. Rides great. Bib boobs bounce nicely.

 

No need for war, whurld peas

But seriously, 4600 of 5100, all the same internal/tech. If it's stock height and no possibility of lifting later, OP should save $100 or whatever and just get the 4600. No need to pay for something that won't be used when you could have something from the same vendor that's like OEM+.

 

I did a bunch of searching on that and never really found a straight answer. Are the 4600 and 5100 the same inside? I'm going lifted, but using OME coils so I don't need the adjustable perch of the 5100. Would rather save the money if they are the same internally.

 

The 5100’s are are great value and a nice shock. They are firmer than the 4600’s (OEM), and then the KYB’s, I had on my truck prior. I recco them for mostly street driving/tow/haul. Great all around on the street. You’ll drop$$$ if you want the Pure Off Road Shocks all the Pros have around here.

Research Progressive and Digressive Shocks.

 

According to the FAQ page I quoted above with the teeny-tiny print, both "share many of the same components", "same technology internally", "same internal valving ... will ride exactly the same at stock height", "outer construction is identical", "4600 is designed for stock height ...5100 designed for lifted trucks". Seems like the main difference is, simply, the outer coating and rubber boot, and the adjustability of the 5100, which is catered to lifted trucks.

I'm no expert, but if a company is telling me there's minimal-to-no difference between two of their products and they're laying it out that clearly, I'm not going to listen to anyone trying to tell me I need to go with a more expensive product containing features I don't need and won't use. In this case, if the OP is staying at stock height, I'd buy the 4600, per the FAQ page up there.

EDIT: The FAQ above is from ShockWarehouse @ https://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/bilstein-5100-vs-bilstein-heavy-duty.cfm - I trust they did their research w/the manufacturer on it. There are a number of supporting similar write-ups out there, like this ...