Rancho RS55226 RS5000X Rear Shock for 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma 6-Lug / Land Rover

Vehicle Fitment

• 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma (Rear; 2WD/4WD; Regular Cab and Extended Cab; 6-Lug; Stock Height)
• 1998-2004 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner (Rear; 2WD; Regular Cab and Extended Cab; 6-Lug; Stock Height)
• 1958-1974 Land Rover (Rear; All Models)

Fitment Notes

• 6-lug Toyota Tacoma only. The 1995-1997 Toyota Tacoma 2WD in some configurations used a 5-lug wheel pattern with different rear suspension geometry; the RS55226 fits the 6-lug variant. The 4WD and PreRunner configurations are 6-lug. Verify your Tacoma's wheel lug pattern and suspension configuration before ordering.
• This is the rear shock absorber for the Tacoma's rear leaf spring suspension. The front suspension on the 1995-2004 Tacoma uses struts (not shocks) - the front struts are separate part numbers.
• Stock height (0" rear lift) application. The RS55226 is sized for the factory rear suspension geometry of the 1995-2004 Tacoma at OEM ride height. For lifted applications, a longer shock calibrated to the additional travel would be required.
• Factory shock mounting hardware is reused. All necessary washers, bushings, and nuts are included. Sold individually - the quantity needed per vehicle depends on body style and suspension configuration; most applications require two rear shocks.

Features

• Cross Tuned technology with Progressive Engagement Valving (PEV) - Rancho's patented eccentric disc valve shim stacks engage at lower piston velocities before the main valving opens, providing a graduated damping response that absorbs initial compression inputs progressively; on the 1995-2004 Tacoma's rear leaf spring suspension - which transmits road and trail surface irregularities fairly directly to the chassis due to the relative stiffness of the leaf pack - the progressive engagement characteristic provides meaningful improvement in ride quality by softening the initial shock from pavement breaks, gravel, and light trail inputs before transitioning to the full damping force needed at higher-velocity impacts
• Tuned Compression Control Valve - a dedicated precision-shim-stacked compression valve regulates fluid transfer during the compression stroke, calibrated specifically for the Tacoma's rear leaf spring suspension rates and the vehicle's overall weight; the valve manages fluid flow without disc flutter, providing consistent damping behavior across the varying payload configurations the first-generation Tacoma is commonly used in - from empty to near-maximum bed capacity
• Nitrogen gas pressurization at 150 PSI - the shock is gas pressurized to suppress aeration and foaming of the hydraulic fluid during sustained cycling; on a truck like the first-generation Tacoma that is frequently used for light off-road use, trail driving, and loaded bed work, the gas charge maintains consistent damping performance under conditions that cycle the rear shocks hard and repeatedly
• Enlarged 2.25-inch twin-tube body - the larger reserve tube diameter provides greater fluid capacity than standard-bore designs, allowing the shock to operate at lower temperatures during sustained trail use; the increased fluid volume dissipates thermal energy more effectively, reducing the fade that occurs when hydraulic fluid overheats and loses viscosity
• 16mm nitro-carburized chrome piston rod - the surface hardening treatment before chrome plating creates a harder layer that resists scoring from trail debris that enters around the upper seal; extended rod surface hardness is important on the Tacoma's exposed rear shock mounting geometry, where the shock rod is subject to debris impact from wheel spray and trail obstacles
• 35mm sintered iron piston with fluon band - the larger piston diameter improves damping precision; the fluon-banded outer diameter provides low-friction guidance within the shock body, reducing stick-slip behavior at piston initiation that causes harshness over small pavement irregularities
• Low-friction, self-lubricating seal - the rod seal's self-lubricating formulation maintains consistent low-friction operation over the seal's service life, contributing to small-bump response and preventing premature oil weeping
• Double-welded loops at stress areas - the eyelet mounting loops are double-welded at the highest-stress concentration points, providing additional structural reinforcement at the fatigue locations that experience the most cyclical loading
• Polyvinyl protective boot (red) - the boot protects the piston rod and upper seal from direct debris, mud, and rock chip contact, which is especially relevant for a platform like the first-generation Tacoma frequently used in off-road and trail environments
• All-weather fluid - maintains consistent viscosity from -40°F to 248°F, ensuring the damping characteristic remains stable from cold-weather starts to sustained high-temperature trail use

Specifications

• Part Number: RS55226
• Series: RS5000X
• Position: Rear
• Fitment: 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma (6-lug; 2WD/4WD/PreRunner; stock height); 1958-1974 Land Rover
• Internal Design: Twin-tube, gas pressurized
• Gas Charge: Nitrogen, 150 PSI
• Body Diameter: 2.25 in. (enlarged twin-tube)
• Piston Rod: 16mm nitro-carburized chrome
• Piston: 35mm sintered iron, fluon-banded
• Upper Mount: Eyelet / Loop Bushing
• Lower Mount: Eyelet / Loop Bushing
• Ride Height Application: Stock (0")
• Operating Temperature: -40°F to 248°F
• Adjustable: No
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime

Included Components

• 1x Rancho RS5000X rear shock absorber (RS55226)
• Polyvinyl protective boot (red)
• Mounting hardware (bushings, washers, nuts)

Product Description

The Rancho RS55226 is an RS5000X series rear shock absorber for the 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma (6-lug) at stock ride height, covering 2WD, 4WD, and PreRunner variants in Regular Cab and Extended Cab body styles. It is also a fitment for 1958-1974 Land Rover models. For the Tacoma, the RS55226 services the rear leaf spring suspension position, replacing the factory rear shocks with the RS5000X's Cross Tuned Progressive Engagement Valving and enlarged 2.25-inch twin-tube body.

The first-generation Tacoma's rear leaf spring suspension delivers a characteristically direct and firm ride quality - a trait that is well-suited to trail and light off-road use but benefits from a well-matched shock absorber to control the leaf pack's behavior under varying loads and terrain inputs. The RS5000X's progressive valving smooths the initial impact response over rough surfaces while retaining the full damping force needed to control wheel hop and body bounce under heavy trail cycling or loaded-bed conditions. The 150 PSI nitrogen gas charge and enlarged fluid volume manage heat buildup during sustained use, maintaining consistent performance through extended driving sessions.

This is the rear shock only - the 1995-2004 Tacoma front suspension uses struts, which are separate part numbers. Verify your Tacoma's 6-lug configuration before ordering; 5-lug variants require different part numbers. Stock height application only. Sold individually; two units required for a complete rear pair. Backed by Rancho's Limited Lifetime Warranty.