Good shock choices for the rear - 2005 Sequoia

[ShrimpBurrito]

I have an 05 Sequoia with ~63,000 miles. We tow a ~4,000 lb trailer a fair amount, and the vehicle is starting to hit the stops more now than it used to. We've got some unpleasant road "features" on I-405 here in SoCal, and when towing or with 4+ adults, I usually hit the stops when running through a dip or even a big bump going into a gas station or something. Parked and unloaded, the vehicle appears to be at normal height, and the springs are not visually defective, so I don't think they are to blame. I sense the shocks are simply allowing the rear end to compress too rapidly. Also, when looking at the shock, the space in between the shock cylinders is not uniform -- so they at least while the vehicle is at rest, the cynlinders are fitting together crooked. Maybe that's no big deal. There are no visual signs of leakage.

I don't want to lift the vehicle at all -- I want especially stock height and ride (although a little stiffer, i.e. more dampening) wouldn't be bad. I also want something that is going to last longer, as this has probably been going on for 10k miles. I searched the forums quite a bit, and have come up with these options as replacements:

OME 600002 - not officially supported for the Sequoia, but several folks have used them. It's not clear to me whether I would get any lift vs. OEM though. Is the ride comparable?
Bilstein 4600 or 5100 or HD - Is HD and one of these others the same thing?
Monroe SensaTrac - I've had these in the front of my Jeep Cherokee and have been pleased, but they don't do nearly the duty the ones on the Sequoia will be under. Certainly seems like the cheapest, although cost isn't a huge factor if the premium is worth it.
KYB K344406 - an OEM supplier, probably the closest thing to OEM, including build quality.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks.
Dave

[chippewa]

Bilstein 4600's are an HD shock and will definitely improve the ride over an OEM shock. I don't believe they make a 5100 for the rear. If I am wrong, someone speak up because I would like to get 5100's all the way around and not just on the front. I have 4600's on my Ford diesel truck and could probably only be happier if I had 5100's on it. Bilstein is very hard to beat. IMO.

[cruss77]

Toytec offers a set Bilstein 5100s for the rear from the FJ/4Runner but they are for a 2" rear lift and I dont know how that translates to an truck that isnt lifted.

You may want to look at adding air bags to the rear coils. I've read where a few members who haul travel trailers add this for load leveling and all around ride comfort.

[chippewa]

Thanks for the info Cruss. We'll make 'em fit.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Thanks to you both for the replies. I'll definitely take a closer look at the 4600s. Does anyone have experience with the OME's on the Sequoia?

Dave

[ShrimpBurrito]

I bought the Bilstein 4600s. Will report back after they are installed.

Dave

[czechm8]

I had the 5100's and 4600's put on my '05 a couple weeks ago. Good setup! I leveled the front with the 5100's.
I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Got my 4600's installed on the rear (Bilstein part #24-185813), and handling is much improved. Pretty close to the OEM ride if I recall. Once I got the old ones out, it was easy to see where they had leaked, as I had expected.

Dave

[AJUSA.com]

The 4600 is a great stock replacement and will provide that extra support you are looking for without being uncomfortable. They are much better riding and handling shocks than stock. No 5100 for the stock height rear, the FJ shocks are to long for a stock application.

Bilstein 24-185813 Monotube Shock Absorber | AJUSA.com

[Justinpm1994]

What price can i expect to pay to get both rear shocks changed? I want the ride to be as close as possible to stock, and im not lifted or anything. Its a 2002. Thanks

[Padron]

I need rear shocks too.....Anybody running Icon rear shocks on their Sequoia?