LC Shocks: Tokico vs Bilstein

[Devbot]

Wondering who here has run both the Bilstein LC 5100s (33-187174) and the Tokico Blacks (48531-69417) and how they stack up to one another. Originally I was eyeing the Billies for their beefiness but sounds like the Tokicos are pretty fair competition. Is it fair to say they're pretty similar? Does one handle better than the other? Doesnt seem to be much comparison between the two on this board and would love to hear the pros/cons they have over one another

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

Tokico is a brand that we here have not heard of in the last couple of years.

Used to be a popular choice for cars.

We will see if we can find any information for Trucks and SUV's and share.

_

 

[3bears]

in the search you will find lots of talks on this. I used it for my research on this topic. Cant remember who, but several had run both.

For me...I ordered all I needed just recently, and I am going with the tokico shocks, LC springs, tundras up front with billies

 

[Devbot]

Thanks for the input. I tried looking around but couldnt find much, might just be getting poor results because I'm using my phone from work.

 

[nissanh]

I bought a set of OEM Toyota shocks for my 2000 LC and all are Tokico! These ride so smooth as compared to bilsteins. I am using this set for past 15K miles and I like it.
You can check ih8mud.com 100series section to find more about the differences between the two. From what I heard people who like softer and smoother ride prefer Tokico. OEM Tokoco is like $30 each from the dealer!

 

[ArmArak]

I'm running Tokikos with the LC 8.5 wraps. I can only say positive things! The ride is a little harsh on the road but thats the nature of an off road vehicle. They perform great otherwise!

 

[2TH4IST]

I'm not running either lol, but I have the kyb gas-a-just shocks and they seem really nice, cheap too! Lots of city and off road miles already in the last few months and zero issues.

 

[Devbot]

Well after much thought and even more reading I decided to go with Tokicos. They sound very similar, much cheaper, and to boot they're at McGeorge which has a truck load of other stuff I need. Figured I could either sit here punchin numbers or get my ass moving! Thanks for the advice guys :reddance:

 

[JoeT4R]

[MENTION=549924]Devbot[/MENTION] I too wonder the same thing. I've got Billie 5100's with LC shocks (I have the SS 1.2 system) and they ride well, as far as I know. I've only ever had them, but before that I had some cheapo stuff that the p/o had installed. I'd love to rock the Tokicos since they're the OEM shock, but will consider it when the time comes to replace mine. Right now I have roughly 76K on my 5100's but I think they're still doing fine. Please keep this thread updated once you have them installed and let us know how they ride

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

Tokico has been bought by Hitachi. Although they still have aftermarket shocks for certain vehicles, it seems that they are focusing on providing the OEM shocks for Toyota and some other car manufacturers. They're still OEM shocks for the LC200 and LC150. I also read somewhere in the 5th gen section that the 5th gens are also using Tokico as stock shocks, except for those models with the Fox and Bilstein shocks

Tokico is a brand that we here have not heard of in the last couple of years.

Used to be a popular choice for cars.

We will see if we can find any information for Trucks and SUV's and share.

_

 

[4runnerfiend]

have ran the Bilstein 5100 for FJ cruiser/4th gen in the rear. They started leaking after a year. just changed to the Tokico blacks for LC. They are much firmer than the 5100's for sure and handle weight better. I am pleased so far with the ride quality of the Tokico blacks and they are pretty darn cheep

 

[JoeT4R]

Well after much thought and even more reading I decided to go with Tokicos. They sound very similar, much cheaper, and to boot they're at McGeorge which has a truck load of other stuff I need. Figured I could either sit here punchin numbers or get my ass moving! Thanks for the advice guys :reddance:

Heh, just came across this thread again. Refer to post #9 for my past thoughts from two years ago. Well, the time has come and I just bought the Tokicos yesterday from Toyota Parts Deal. They'll be arriving next week. Super stoked to get them installed, especially since now my 5100's have 106K miles on them. And they're leaking. So yay for upgrades.

How are they holding up so far?

 

[nissanh]

Please do me a favor! Can you please check the max compress length and max stretched length between the center of bottom mounting eyelet and the lowest washer that goes on the upper stem? Thanks!