21 tundra - bad rear shocks with low mileage

My new to me 21 Tundra has slight leaking around both rear shocks. I recently bought with under 12k miles and is almost 19k now. A recent oil change and multi-point inspection at dealer revealed leaks around both rears. A subsequent side-by-side comparison with a friend's 21 ltd Tundra shows mine is comparatively bouncy when just hopping on the rear bumpers...and his has 125k miles! I would describe my tundra's ride as very sloppy. The shocks are black in color, and I don't know the manufacturer, but I assume they are original...Aside from obvious question as to how such a low mile vehicle already needs replacement shocks, what is the best rear shock to stiffen it up? It's a 4wd ltd nightshade edition with the dual trd exhaust bs. Thanks in advance for advice on replacement shocks. I know nothing in this department, and it is greatly appreciated...

 

Seals might have got dry from lack of use. I had some shocks I took off a truck and threw on the shelf and for some reason ended up grabbing them a few months or a year later and first time out they started leaking despite being fine when put away.

There's tons of options for shocks, if you don't want anything special I would just get another set of OEMs. You can really spend as much as you want when it comes to shocks

 

thanks. i had noticed a prior thread mentioning different attributes of various shocks but you're right it would be simple to just ask for oems, whatever they are.

 

The stock black shocks are the weakest of the bunch. Stock upgrade for better damping would be the factory OR shocks. Or get stock replacement Bilstein 4600s.

Id suggest changing out the fronts as well, so everthing matches.

If you ever want to lift it, now would be the time to get the stance you want and matching components.

OR, if on a budget, just look for stock take offs from someone that did a lift.....those black shocks can be had for super cheap or even free.

 

My aftermarket Bilstein 5100 blew up recently, too. There was no lack of lubrication. Replaced with ARB OME shocks.

 

I’m on my first set of 5100 rears, they’ve gone about 110k miles now and still function well, no blowouts, likely not as effective as when new, but have by no means failed. Second set of fronts, 61k on the first set before passenger side started leaking, about 50k on current set no leaks. Billy 4600s are your tried and true rear shock replacement for these. My next set of shocks will be Eibach pro sports I think.

 

Great advice to replace all 4....i wouldnt object to a higher stance, if a different shock would achieve that, but i dont really want a lift per se.

 

If you don't need a lift, do not lift. Any lift comes with its problems.

 

good advice...I wont lift as i dont need it...But do different types of shocks provide any lift or leveling functions or does one need a "kit" to actually lift the truck above its stock level?

 

Replacement front shocks can have a variety of ways to provide lift from longer or higher spring rate coils to adjustable spring perches. Reach out to @memario1214 from Hotshot off-road, he’ll set you up.

 

I got the Bilstein 5100s all around and went with a levelling kit. It absolutely transformed the truck. She rides so nicely on all surfaces and the levelling kit makes the truck look oh so much better. My OEM stuff had about 70k miles on it, wasn't leaking but it had a horrible, bouncy ride and hit the bumpstops on the smallest bumps.

 

I liked more how it rode with 4600 vs 5100. 5100 are too stiff.

 

I replaced only rears so far. But wish a soon death to the fronts now The rears are less comfort-impacting, of course, but I immediately felt the difference. They may be somewhere around fox 2.5 in wife's TRD PRO Sequoia.

 

Am more than happy with the Eibach Pro Sport Truck shocks on my 2018. Stock ride height. Mostly highway driving. Only have OEM to compare with and replaced them with well in excess of 100k miles....but the improvement was substantial.

 

Not sure what played the critical role, I've had way too many flipped variables in my weekend's vent out, but it was riding smooth enough for me to avoid airing down. It was 36 PSI all the way.

What changed:

- took off the rear TRD PRO sway bar
- replaced old worn 33" LT General Grabber A/TX with the same new tires
- replaced rear Bilstein 5100 with ARB OME

Looking forward to seeing a premature death of front 5100 I otherwise can't negotiate their replacement with my retirement savings urge.

My butt feel says it was ARB, because I made 1.5k miles of gravel this summer without sway bar and with old tires, and it felt more stiff, even with much more payload in bed. But can't be objective, of course.

Anyways, 5100 are too stiff for offroad. I always had to air down with them, just to save my spine. They are more like street racing shocks. Offroad shocks need to be much more progressive, like FOX or OME.