Update: Do NOT buy Monroe shocks for the 4Runner. They are absolute crap. The truck would bounce around after speed bumps and on the interstate due to the Monroe shocks failing to absorb the bumps correctly.

Instead, buy Bilstein, OEM, or KYB shocks. Nearly everyone here recommends Bilstein, and they are right. The Bilstein's are worth the money. After I got the Bilstein 4600's installed, the truck no longer bounces around. It stabilizes after a speed bump. It rides like it should. KYB's also seem to work well for people, according to what I've read on these forums. OEM will of course restore the ride to how it should be. Just don't go cheap and buy Monroe!


Original post....
Hey everyone, I bought a 2002 4Runner 4x4 and it had some leaking shocks, so I needed to buy some new shocks and struts.

I bought the Monroe OESpectrum shocks and had them installed at Goodyear, but I'm not so sure that the ride quality is like it should be.

On bigger bumps on the interstate, the truck will do one extra bounce after the bump before stabilizing. And I took it for a little off road trip, and when going down bigger drops or going over some bigger dips/bumps, it would bounce that extra time too. Seemed excessive with the bouncing, it didn't just return to normal.

So is that expected? Is that how the 4Runner is supposed to ride?

Or should I try out some different shocks? I was thinking maybe the Rancho RS5000 would be better. I do mild off roading, mostly driving on the street though. I'm not lifting my vehicle or anything, so I'll never be doing extreme off roading. I like that lifetime warranty from Rancho and Monroe, which even covers replacing worn-out shocks.

I know people recommend Bilsten's, but those are supposed to be way stiffer than stock, especially those HD heavy duty shocks. So I wouldn't want those.

How do the KYB's ride? They unfortunately don't have that same lifetime warranty though. And I know Tokico made the original OEM shocks, but I've heard that their aftermarket ones are stiffer than the OEM shocks?

What's everyone's advice? I'm new to trucks and my family only owned cars/a crossover SUV, so I don't know how it's supposed to ride

you will find alot of Billstein fans here, I went with Rancho's in the rear, and KYBs in the front, so far a great combo, you should also change out the springs. I wnet with the 99 talls all around, wishing I went with something a bit stiffer in the rear (insert joke here) Almost like stock ride, if you are not going to wheel it much, it's a decent combo.

I have KYB's front and rear, and most everyone that has ridden in it, has commented on how good it absorbs bumps, potholes, etc, and the overall excellent ride quality. Not harsh, and definitely not too soft.

Your problem is not the shocks but Tucson! The roads suck there. I lived there for 5 years while attending the U of A. They are a much stiffer ride but I love my OME 906 springs with the 60028 shocks. They have really broken in nice the past few months. Anyway, I know a lot of people here go with Bilstein.

For what it's worth, I had the springs, shocks and bushings replaced on my '98 (138K) last month. I have KYB MonoMax shocks and Moog springs on the rear, and cheap (but effective) Monroe QuickStruts on the front.
Like you I do mostly highway driving with some trail riding now and then. With the new shocks and springs my T4R is -very- well behaved, no bouncing, hopping or crabbing; on or off road.
I would change out the springs if you haven't done so.

Bilstein fan here. The 5100's for the front, and 5125s for the rear, they are PERFECT for the 4runner.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Here's the update: I returned the crappy Monroe's for the Bilstein 4600 series shocks. HUGE DIFFERENCE. The truck no longer bounces around after speed bumps or deeper bumps on the interstate. It's insanely better.

Moral of the story: Do NOT buy Monroe shocks on the 4Runner. Now that I got quality shocks (Bilstein's), it rides like it should. KYB's are probably pretty good too according to other people's replies here.