Best value mid budget shocks

[Chris_2025OR]

I'm looking to upgrade the stock TRD offroad bilstein shocks (I have them on Alldogs offroad springs.) They're great for low speed off roading but they just can't hang at higher speeds and don't dampen extra weight very well.

I'm looking for a best bang/buck suspension setup - 2.5 or 3.0 front and rear shocks with resis, adjusters, upper control arms, bump stops, sway bar links, diff drop, etc. start at $5k, but I have a feeling that there's a sweet spot right around $2-3k that will get you most of the performance at a better value.

Compared to stock, I'm looking for a shock with better bottom and top out control, firm and controlled damping through the travel of the shock, something that will dampen 400+ pounds of gear in the bed but still be somewhat comfy for the lady when I'm chattering her teeth away on a rocky road for hours. I live in the southwest and I like to drive fast when I'm on dirt, so I'm really looking for better high-speed performance compared to the stock Bilsteins, but I'm not sure I need the whole big expensive 2.5 resi adjuster setup. (maybe I'm wrong?)

I've narrowed it down to these 3 options, but I'd love to hear about any other shocks you think would be a good fit. If anyone has any of these installed on their vehicle, I would also love to hear your feedback. Would love to hear anyone's $.02 on the subject in general.

Icon 2.5 Stage 3 - $2,838
Falcon 3.2 - $2,200
Fox 2.5 Performance Series - $2,273

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[BAQ717]

Ive been doing a lot of research and it seems the best bang for your buck setup is the Bilstein 6112/5160. However they’re not released yet. The Eibach stage 2R shocks get solid reviews as well. The Fox 2.5s seem nice but I don’t want a shock that needs rebuilt every 30-50k miles.

 

[MT-Taco]

I’ve been pretty happy with JRI.. I was in the same boat trying to stay under 3K and rebuilds every couple years, hoping these don’t need rebuilt? They say lifetime’s warranty for what that’s worth? Having adjustable reservoirs is really nice and won’t by a set again without. Keep an eye out they’ve had a couple of pretty good sales on them, picked mine up for $1500

https://www.tacoma4g.com/forum/threads/jri-6-stage-adjustable-shocks.8196/page-2#post-173971

 

[alpineovernappa]

Ive been doing a lot of research and it seems the best bang for your buck setup is the Bilstein 6112/5160. However they’re not released yet. The Eibach stage 2R shocks get solid reviews as well. The Fox 2.5s seem nice but I don’t want a shock that needs rebuilt every 30-50k miles.

FWIW I had a fox 2.5/eibach combo on my f150 with the same rebuild interval from Fox. They lasted me 75k (mostly pavement, washboard and beach) without any issues, no need to rebuild for me, despite having the same 50k max rebuild life. Sold the truck at that point so can’t comment on them beyond 75k but would run that setup again.

 

[gofastdan]

I know nothing about these but five minutes of Googling reviews on them, seems like everyone who has them likes them...
https://www.ironman4x4.com/products...a-tacoma-2024-toy093kp?variant=46331567702251

 

[MERAKIAUTOWORKS]

We do a lot of Fox as bang for buck, Icon is up there as well. Then King for the $$..

-Josh

 

[tkrum015]

I am in the same boat here. On my 2010 TRD OR I had the Icon 2.5 stage 5 kit. Loved it I did have the shocks rebuilt once and the ran out to 120k till I got rear ended.

I also have been running the Falcon 3.3 Sp2 on my 20 jeep JLU with a 3 inch lift and they are amazing.

The problem I see with the falcons for the Tacoma, it seems you need to get new springs! But I am very interested in them.

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