Tundra Bilstein Shocks 101 + Q&A

nhparrot · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2002, 12:11 PM

Just to clarify things I am reposting some info:

Tundra Bilstein Shocks 101

1. OEM Toyota/Bilsteins - color yellow/blue , labeled with both the Toyota and Bilstein brand names - comes as part of the "TRD" or OF option package. Toyota part # 4851009350 (front) & 4853109141 (rear). Toyota price about $150 new (set of 4), often about $125 on ebay (set of 4)

2. TRD Bilsteins for 4x4's - color red/blue, labeled with both the Toyota and Bilstein brand names. TRD part number 00602-48500-100. Available from Toyota Dealers as a TRD Sport Part. These shocks are 40% stiffer on bump and about 25% stiffer on rebound than #1. about $285 (set of 4)

3. TRD Bilsteins for 4x2's - color red/blue, labeled with both the Toyota and Bilstein brand names. TRD part number 00602-48500-101. Available from Toyota Dealers as a TRD Sport Part. These shocks are slightly softer at low velocities, but stiffer at high velocities than #1. about $285 (set of 4)

4. HD Bilsteins - color yellow/blue, labeled with Bilstein brand name. BE5-6024 front & BE5-6025 rear. About $250 (set of 4).
NOTE - These shocks are NOT the same as theyellow/blue shocks that come equipped on trucks from the factory with the Off Road Pkg. These shocks are functionally the same as the TRD Bilsteins for 4x4's - color red/blue (#2 above)

ace57 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 11:48 AM

what are the original shocks that come with the 4x2 tundra??
are they just "toyotas" or are they the #1 OEM toyoata/bilsteins you describe??

would you go with the OEM toyota/bilsteins or spend extra money to get the way-more-expensive TRD 4x2 Bilsteins???

i must admit, i like the "cushy" ride of the stock shocks, but they are almost a little too loose....
(ya think??? LOL)

i will be towing a very small bass boat, so i might want just a skosh of additional firmness in the rear...

can you help me with advice

thanks

ace from MA.

KLS · #3 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 11:52 AM

If you don't have the TRD-Offroad package you have the standard black Tokico brand shocks.

I went from the Tokico shocks to the yellow/blue heavy duty Bilsteins, #4 on the list below. Sometimes I think that they're too stiff for me...other times I appreciate the high damping rate. I probably would have been happier overall with the #1 shocks below which can be gotten pretty cheaply as take-offs from somebody doing a suspension mod.

Ken

ace57 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 12:47 PM

kls

thanks for the response

do you think #1 or #3 would be softest?

do you think #1 is still a step in the right direction in quality/ride over the stock "tociko" shocks ??

thanks very much

Ace57

KLS · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 02:31 PM

#1 will be an improvement over the stock black Tokico shocks.

As Glen said, #2 and #4 are identical. #3 is almost the same thing. #1 is softer than #3.

Ken

ace57 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 08:11 PM

thanks ken for your responses,
it helped me

ace57

tvag · #7 (**permalink**) 12-12-2002, 11:30 PM

I just bought some Bilstein shocks from Truck Performance Center under the impression that I was buying the "after-market" Bilsteins. What I got were the yellow/blue with "Toyota" & "Bilstein" on the label. There is a paper sticker with the part number BE5--6024 BUT the engraved p/n is 48510-AF060.

Did I get ripped off (and received the OEM/Toyota version)?

Thanks in advance,
tvag

KLS · #8 (**permalink**) 12-13-2002, 12:33 PM

No problems. Look at #4 on Glenn's posting below. You got the correct HD shocks, not the stock OE TRD Offroad package shocks.

Ken

ace57 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-14-2002, 09:14 PM

well, i thought i'd price out the OEM bilsteins for my 2000 tund.
price is as Glenn said, right at $150....

thought i'd also ask how much to install at this toyota dealer,

CHOKE CHOKE $420 to install !!!!

I think i'll seek out another install source

youch

ace57

Breathing Borla · #10 (**permalink**) 12-18-2002, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ace57
well, i thought i'd price out the OEM bilsteins for my 2000 tund.
price is as Glenn said, right at $150....

thought i'd also ask how much to install at this toyota dealer,

CHOKE CHOKE $420 to install !!!!

I think i'll seek out another install source

youch

ace57

my toyota dealer did my red/blue ones for 150.

arkie6 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-20-2002, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tvag
I just bought some Bilstein shocks from Truck Performance Center under the impression that I was buying the "after-market" Bilsteins. What I got were the yellow/blue with "Toyota" & "Bilstein" on the label. There is a paper sticker with the part number BE5--6024 BUT the engraved p/n is 48510-AF060.

Did I get ripped off (and received the OEM/Toyota version)?

The Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks that I purchased from Performance Products (part number BE5-6024 and 6025) several years ago also had "Toyota" printed on them. I assume that is because those model number shocks only fit Toyota products (likely only the Tundra and the Sequoia).

I do think you got OEM shocks (Bilstein being the Original Equipment Manufacturer for the TRD Tundra shocks); however, I don't believe that you got OE shocks (OE being Original Equipment on the TRD Tundra). There is a subtle difference between OE and OEM.

nj1266 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-01-2003, 07:33 PM

As was explained to me by Ganz at Crason Toyota, the Red/Blue HD Bilestins for the 4X4 are only 5% stiffer up front to handle the heavier load. There is not difference in the rear between the 4X2 and the 4X4 Red/Blue HD Bilestins.

I got the 4X4 even though I have a 4X2 truck. It helped make my truck very level front to rear. Most of the Tundras I see are tipping to the front.

I highly recommend the Red/Blue for anyone who likes a firm good handling truck. With the crapicko the truck felt like a boat. I hated it. The Red/Blue Bilestine also hlep reduce rear sag when towing.

ricqik · #13 (**permalink**) 01-10-2003, 03:33 PM

So the Heavy-duty Bilstein sold in Performance Product and the #4 below are the same? PP list the fronts as $89.95 each and rears as $69.95 each. If I bought all four it would cost me $319.80 and that's without S&H.

So the OEM are #1 and OE are #2 and #4?

flyin6 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 04:48 PM

Just posted a set of red Bilstiens in the classified section!

openspaces · #15 (**permalink**) 01-14-2003, 10:20 PM

I have a question regarding the different shocks. I have 2002 access cab V8 4x4 TRD. I just bought the red/blue shocks. First question...

What are the differences in the spring rates between the TRD package and the Ivan Stewart?

Secondly I'm assuming the red/blue will slightly lift the truck both front and rear. Assuming I only replace the front with the red/blue and leave the back yellow/blue will the truck be level. More importantly will the handling be adversly affected?

Third if I replace all the shocks with red/blue how big a spacer would I need to level the truck? I would prefer to avoid cornfed and just use a spacer outside the coil pack as I'm not sure I want to put additional preload on the spring.

Sorry about the length.. Thanks in advance