Tundra Bilstein Shocks 101 + Q&A

[CYCLONE 123]

I know some of you have gone from the original TRD yellow/blues to the red/blues to stiffin up your trucks. Has anyone kept the old TRD yellow/blues? If so, would you be interested in selling the rear shocks? I'm not so sure if they are the direction I need to go but would like to experiment. Send me a PM if you want to unload the old yellow/blues. Thanks

[big-o]

The "stock" Bilstein's (Yellow/Blue) on any truck are not the same as what you would order out of a catalog or shop. The stock units do not have the same internal dimentions, or feel either. You can order the HD's, or even the reservior style Bilstein's to improve your performance. If that's not enough, you can order the stiffer 1" lift replacement springs, or even do the leveling spacers to provide a more aggresive spring rate.

[kelltl]

Not to take this discussion another direction, but are the springs in a SR5 4x4 different than the springs in the exact same truck with TRD package? If so, will the front end be higher in the TRD equiped truck straight from the factory? The reason I am asking is that I am going to be putting a spacer lift on at some point, as well as replacing the shocks and am wondering if replacing the springs will serve to effectively give me some lift also.

[ricqik]

Originally posted by kelltl
Not to take this discussion another direction, but are the springs in a SR5 4x4 different than the springs in the exact same truck with TRD package? If so, will the front end be higher in the TRD equiped truck straight from the factory? The reason I am asking is that I am going to be putting a spacer lift on at some point, as well as replacing the shocks and am wondering if replacing the springs will serve to effectively give me some lift also.

Try here.Here

[kelltl]

Thanks for the link ricqik, it was good reading but did not answer my question. I must have missed something. That post was about using TRD springs in a 4x2. I have a stock 4x4 non-TRD and am wondering if using TRD springs would give any lift and if so how much? I assume that the shocks and springs are different in a TRD 4x4 versus a stock 4x4. Maybe the answer was there and I missed it, but I sure didn't see it.

[ricqik]

I've asked the same question too. Apparently no one has tried it yet.
But I found out myself. I parked side by side with my cousin's TRD tundra and they both sit the same. He's got the TRD package and I don't.

[punisher]

trd is a little higher than non trd models.

[noonch]

I just finished my Add-A-Leaf in the back and replaced the rear shocks with Yellow/Blue Blistens. Do I just have HUGE hands, or is the top nut on the rear shock a total b!t(h to get to? I was half tempted to yank the bed off. Does anyone have a better way to get in there ???

Thanks !!!!

[SATundra]

Your experience sounds the same as mine. I take it you removed the spare tire as well. My install back there was just SLOW and PAINFULL, but eventually got it done.

[CYCLONE 123]

I recently took off my rear shocks from a 2WD. I too had a hell of a time. I don't know which way would be better but I decided to remove the top nut from the side of the truck (over the tire and in between the frame and bed). I now have smudge marks all over the side of the bed (above the wheel well) caused by my face being planted against it!

I think the main problem is Toyota must have used some kind of Loctite because you could only move that nut about 1/8 turn at a time and even that took some effort! Also on the 2003 shocks there is an outer plastic cover that spins around the outer metal shock tube, which means the only way to hold the shock while turning the nut is to get hold of the shaft while turning the nut.

My hands, wrists, and forearms were sore for two days.

BTW, the shocks that I put on went real easy.

[fyu]

I guess the SR5 4x4's stock rear spings were set uped differently compared to the 4x4 with TRD. A few things supporting this are:

(1) the ground clearance of a SR4 is slightly smaller than the Limited 4x4 with TRD.

(2) To add TRD on a SR5 cost more than adding TRD on a limited 4x4. I remember that adding TRD to a Limited 4x4 cost only $80 but adding TRD to a SR5 cost over $300.

I noticed these when I bought my 2000 tundra.

[noonch]

YES !!!

This morning my arms are screaming !!!!!
Once I got the stock shocks off, the problem I am having now is the shaft on the Blistens is spinning after I put the nut on. I can't get another hand in there to try and clamp onto the top of the shaft to hold it from spinning. I drove into work this morning praying that the nut would not come off because I know it needs to be cranked down a few more turns.......

[ricqik]

Originally posted by fyu
I guess the SR5 4x4's stock rear spings were set uped differently compared to the 4x4 with TRD. A few things supporting this are:

(1) the ground clearance of a SR4 is slightly smaller than the Limited 4x4 with TRD.

Not true. The reason the spec say the limited are a bit higher is because it sits on 265's and the SR5 sits 245's. Those clearance # were off of standard tire for the trim.

[paulphilly]

Will the IS HD red/blue shocks work on my 05' Tundra limited TRD 4X4? Or, has the suspension set up changed since the newer 03' model came about? I am dying to put a set of the IS red/blue on because I like a stiffer ride, but dont want to waste my money either. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[PagalDesi4Life]

How much did you get them for? What are your comments about them? I found a good deal for a pair for around $550? Are they worth it if you're thinking about lifting your truck or would you go with just a lift kit from companies like Revtek, Daystar, etc?