The best suspension upgrade you can make are shocks that are tuned specifically for your vehicle. You can add all the wheel travel, articulation, or lift that you want. But if your shocks aren't valved properly, your suspension will be a hot mess. Slapping some off-the-shelf shocks onto your ride will result in suspension that is way too firm and rattles your teeth out in the dirt. Or it will be too soft and just blow through its stroke hopelessly bottoming out. Actually, how your suspension performs will be a bit of a mystery because you are using valving that was never designed for your vehicle.

We don't like mysteries in general, and definitely not with our suspension. That is why we like Bilstein's 6112 front shocks and 5160 rear shocks. They are valved specifically for their applications. We have spent a lot of time behind the wheel of our Project Taco Toyota Tacoma equipped with Bilstein's top-of-the-line ZoneControl coilovers (check out the story here). We learned from that experience that Bilstein spends a lot of time getting the valving dialed in just right. And, that's a very good thing.

While the ZoneControl coilovers and B8 8112 rear bypass shocks are Bilstein's most expensive offerings, the 6112 and 5160 shocks come in at a more affordable price point. And, they still come with lots of features and performance. The 60mm (2.36 inches) body on the 6112 holds plenty of fluid for proper cooling. Inside of it rests a digressive piston with application-specific valving. Pair it with the rear 5160s and you get a 46mm diameter monotube shock complete with a reservoir. Let's take a closer look a Bilstein's killer and affordable combo.

The Bilstein shocks can be had just as a front kit (6112 shocks only) or rear only (5160). The shocks will perform best when paired together, so we recommend getting the whole system. They will be a serious upgrade over the factory Tacoma shocks, which tend to be on the mushy side.

Our focus is on the Bilstein 6112/5160 combo for the Toyota Tacoma. However, the shocks are available for a wide variety of applications. Currently, the shocks are available for the Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado, and GMC Sierra. More applications are on the way.

but it is not. One of the most significant differences is its size with the 6112's 60mm (2.36-inch) diameter. This larger diameter, along with its monotube design, lets the shock to carry a lot more fluid. It also allows for a larger 60mm digressive piston. The result is a shock that offers more control in rougher terrain without fading. Bilstein's 6112s are also valved specifically for the Toyota Tacoma with the proper spring rate.

The Bilstein 5160 rear shocks complement the front 6112s nicely. Like the front 6112s, the 5160s feature a larger body (46mm in this case) and a monotube design. Also easy to spot is the remote reservoir that allows for better cooling and less fade over rough terrain. The self-adjusting deflective disc valving is said to react immediately to surface chances for maximum control. Bilstein's 5160s simply bolt into place in place of the stock rear shocks.

The 6112s use the factory top mount and isolator to bolt into place. Installation is straightforward with the 6112 a direct replacement for the factory front shocks. They also feature an adjustable spring seat allowing for lift to be dialed in from 0-2.75 inches.

Our biggest complaint with the stock Toyota Tacoma suspension is that it is way too soft. In stock form, the Tacoma rides excellent on the highway and mild dirt roads. But get into anything rougher, and the Tacoma quickly blows through its suspension travel. Bilstein's 6112/5160 combo eliminates this and offers a lot more control and damping in rough terrain. It doesn't magically transform your Taco into a Trophy Truck, but it is a definite improvement over stock.

Check out Bilstein's video explaining the benefits of the 6112 shock.

Check out the video for more information on the Bilstein 5160 rear shocks.

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