Best value mid budget shocks

[TacoTime]

Related: solid overview of shock tuning from TacomaBeast and Dirt King. Not affiliated with either, just an interesting look at how much goes into suspension design and tuning.

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[dvrgz]

Related: solid overview of shock tuning from TacomaBeast and Dirt King. Not affiliated with either, just an interesting look at how much goes into suspension design and tuning.

It was a good watch. Super in depth.

 

[dvrgz]

It was a good watch. Super in depth.

 

[coldtaco]

it seems funny to me how everyone that's commented on the TRD Bilstein shocks say they are too soft. I find them too hard, interested in finding something that rides softer, but still can handle some towing duties. Don't know.

 

[tkrum015]

These lifts seem very interesting I did like the video. Has anyone installed the Pre runner lift on their stock Tacoma and have before and after measurements and any other feedback?

 

[TacoTime]

Hey, Saw an announcement of these fox live valve shocks at SEMA. Interesting if they work well. I'm sure they are pricey.

 

[TacoTime]

 

[MT-Taco]

$8500… bad ass! But definitely not mid budget
https://ridefox.com/products/toyota...e-c8d099a3?year=2024&make=Toyota&model=Tacoma

 

[Rmarin4272]

Falcon shocks are in. Off to the alignment shop then a weekend of wheeling. I'll do a full review in a about a month or so once I've used them in different conditions.

Install would have been pretty straightforward but one of the front shocks was misaligned by a couple degrees. After some back and forth with Falcon (customer service was great), they suggested I bend the lower mount on the truck and twist the lower mount on the shock to force it into place. They said it's very rare, but they have seen it before and requires some elbow grease to get the shock facing the right direction.

The Falcons are about an inch longer front and rear than the stock Bilsteins. I didn't yet realize where the front strut was going to sit on the upper mount when I took the picture, so it appears shorter in the photo. That's just because the top hat actually sits lower than where I put it in the picture. Falcon says they are 1.2 inches longer front and rear, and that seems to be accurate.

Side note: One of my rear OEM Bilsteins is already leaking oil at 5k miles.

How was doing the install aside from the twisted issue?
Did you change out the rear springs?

I'm hoping to do my own suspension swap in a few months and although I'm very capable, never took on anything this involved before. I'm leaning towards the MT64 with the 819 Dobinsons as they'll handle my constant weight better than the OME springs.

 

[gofastdan]

How was doing the install aside from the twisted issue?
Did you change out the rear springs?

I'm hoping to do my own suspension swap in a few months and although I'm very capable, never took on anything this involved before. I'm leaning towards the MT64 with the 819 Dobinsons as they'll handle my constant weight better than the OME springs.

I can't answer wrt the Falcon's (other than I'm curious the long term review as well) but I can tell you that I have the 819's and now wish I'd went with the 821's. The 819's were perfect when I first put my Lone Peak wedge camper on but I've expanded since then and I am probably going to swap to the firmer spring soon.

That said, I'm well over GVWR at this point and when things were reasonable the 819's were great (and technically still are) so take it for what it is, just a data point... What you see in the picture put me over the edge. There is a fair amount of weight levering off the back end. The springs still don't bottom out but the shocks can't dampen the weight any longer.

 

[Chris_2025OR]

How was doing the install aside from the twisted issue?
Did you change out the rear springs?

I'm hoping to do my own suspension swap in a few months and although I'm very capable, never took on anything this involved before. I'm leaning towards the MT64 with the 819 Dobinsons as they'll handle my constant weight better than the OME springs.

Install was easy with the right tools. It's really nice working on a new-ish vehicle

Paired with Alldogs rear springs.

MT64 is going to be a step above the Falcons. Price is similar on the shocks but you have to run new UCAs with the MT64s so it ends up being a pricier setup overall.

 

[Chris_2025OR]

I can't answer wrt the Falcon's (other than I'm curious the long term review as well) but I can tell you that I have the 819's and now wish I'd went with the 821's. The 819's were perfect when I first put my Lone Peak wedge camper on but I've expanded since then and I am probably going to swap to the firmer spring soon.

That said, I'm well over GVWR at this point and when things were reasonable the 819's were great (and technically still are) so take it for what it is, just a data point... What you see in the picture put me over the edge. There is a fair amount of weight levering off the back end. The springs still don't bottom out but the shocks can't dampen the weight any longer.

Falcon 3.2 long-term review here:

(25) Falcon 3.2 Fast Adjust Shocks Review | 2024 Tacoma Forum (4th Gen) News, Specs, Models - 2.4L, Hybrid, TRD Pro, Trailhunter, Off-Road, Sport, SR5 -- Tacoma4G.com

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