[I❤️4runners]

Originally Posted by Bad Luck

The preloaded front struts with coils that autozone/advanced/oreilly’s all sell will ride worse than what you have now so avoid those at all cost.

I've actually heard that before so I think I'm going to go with some loaded strut assemblies that Summit Racing sells. I've purchased a lot of their stuff before and really like them. Thank you for the warning!

[Bad Luck]

Originally Posted by I❤️4runners

I've actually heard that before so I think I'm going to go with some loaded strut assemblies that Summit Racing sells. I've purchased a lot of their stuff before and really like them. Thank you for the warning!

I looked at the loaded struts that summit racing shows and I wouldn't recommend any of them. Gabriel/Monroe/Unity/GSP/Summit loaded shocks are all going to ride like trash.

[slothy49]

Hey all, posting again! Ended up purchasing the 2001 Limited I checked out the other day. For 260k it's in great condition. It's got the slightest cyl 3 misfire on a very cold start. Only lasts a couple seconds before it clears up. In the process of hunting that down, and keeping in mind that I may need to do a HG job. Other than that it runs so smoothly.

Anyways! I'm trying to figure out suspension, which I know has been beaten to death. I want to add a winch and coastal bumper in the front. In the rear I'll have a rooftop tent, fridge, probably an aux battery, and my camping gear loaded up. Trying to decide if I should go with heavier duty springs in the front and/or back. Any suggestions? I'm looking in the Bilstein/OME price range.

[I❤️4runners]

OK guys, I need some help. I really appreciate all your thoughts on front end shocks but I'm still a little lost on what I should get. I'm getting mixed reviews on Monroe and Gabriel loaded struts assys. Some people say they're awesome other people say they're total crap. I've looked at OREDY and RCS loaded struts and they seem to get decent reviews but I wanted to see if any of you all had thoughts on them. Really I don't want to spend more than $300-$350 on the front end. I know that's tight but I thought I'd be able to find something for that price. Unfortunately that kind of rules out the nice stuff like Bilstein and RC but I'm still hoping I can find something decent for that price. KYB seems to make good stuff but I couldn't find a loaded strut assy for a 3rd gen that they made. If you all have any recommendations on what to get for quality cheapish loaded front strut assemblies I would really, really, appreciate it. Thank you!

[JoeT4R]

Originally Posted by I❤️4runners

That you sir! Your advice is much appreciated. I think I'm going to get new loaded strut assemblies and replace the front shocks and springs in one fell swoop. It'll be nice to just give her new stuff all round and not have to worry about any of that down the road. Thanks again and I'll probably be posting a few before and after pics shortly of the truck with new suspension vs old stuff.

This would be a good time to create a build thread on here, just sayin'

[JoeT4R]

Originally Posted by octanejunkie

Nailed it ∆∆∆

My 4WD came with Monroe Quick Struts installed and it rode like ass, and those are supposedly "better /" than parts store struts.

Do more research and read some of the stickys at the top of this forum, specifically this one :
3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

And also:
Absalom's Cookie Cutter 4runner Builds - New and Updated!

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

My rig was bone stock when I bought it and it had Gabriels in the rear. Deeeeefinitely do not recommend! Lol

[I❤️4runners]

Originally Posted by JoeT4R

My rig was bone stock when I bought it and it had Gabriels in the rear. Deeeeefinitely do not recommend! Lol

OK, good to know. I will steer clear of them! Any thoughts on GSP shock assys? They seem to be good and to be quite honest I'm just about done searching for replacement shocks. Also, just found out that Rock auto sells Moog strut assemblies for 4runners so I may just go with them. We use Moog parts a lot at the shop I work at and they seem to be good quality. They're decently priced too.

One more thing, anybody no anything about SenSen strut assys? They get good reviews but they have a China sound about them. Thoughts?

[heat]

Originally Posted by I❤️4runners

OK, good to know. I will steer clear of them! Any thoughts on GSP shock assys? They seem to be good and to be quite honest I'm just about done searching for replacement shocks. Also, just found out that Rock auto sells Moog strut assemblies for 4runners so I may just go with them. We use Moog parts a lot at the shop I work at and they seem to be good quality. They're decently priced too.

One more thing, anybody no anything about SenSen strut assys? They get good reviews but they have a China sound about them. Thoughts?

In 10 years here, what I've seen is- minimum recommended shock is KYB
Gas-a-justs. Any of the cheaper brands- Moog, Sensen, Gabriel, Monroe, etc-
have generated generally less than happy responses. Sensens had a lifetime
warranty on introduction a few years back, so I gave them a shot ($100 for a
set). Sure enough, a front one started leaking in a year. No big deal - except
for the labor! - they just sent me a new one... And the KYBs ride better.

It will cost you more to cheap out.

[JoeT4R]

Originally Posted by I❤️4runners

OK, good to know. I will steer clear of them! Any thoughts on GSP shock assys? They seem to be good and to be quite honest I'm just about done searching for replacement shocks. Also, just found out that Rock auto sells Moog strut assemblies for 4runners so I may just go with them. We use Moog parts a lot at the shop I work at and they seem to be good quality. They're decently priced too.

One more thing, anybody no anything about SenSen strut assys? They get good reviews but they have a China sound about them. Thoughts?

Never heard of GSP. When in doubt, you could always go with OEM Tocikos. Toyota Parts Deal dot com or plenty of other websites out there have OEM parts at a fraction of dealership costs. It just depends on what you want to achieve. I've had Gabriels, Bilsteins and Tocikos. The Bilstein 5100's are great for off road performance, but the Tocikos are great for comfort, in my opinion. You can do as much research as you want, but I personally don't think you'll really know what you like vs what you don't like until you've had first hand experience with it.

What are some of your goals? Are you staying stock or trying to lift? Plan to wheel it any? Or is this a daily driver/grocery getter? Do you carry passengers? Little ones, older folks? Just yourself? So many different things to consider. I'm ranting now so I'll stop.

Originally Posted by heat

In 10 years here, what I've seen is- minimum recommended shock is KYB
Gas-a-justs. Any of the cheaper brands- Moog, Sensen, Gabriel, Monroe, etc-
have generated generally less than happy responses. Sensens had a lifetime
warranty on introduction a few years back, so I gave them a shot ($100 for a
set). Sure enough, a front one started leaking in a year. No big deal - except
for the labor! - they just sent me a new one... And the KYBs ride better.

It will cost you more to cheap out.

Scotty Kilmer is a big proponent of KYB, I believe, and I think he's a reputable source. So you could give those a shot if you're interested, @I❤️4runners

[JoeT4R]

Originally Posted by slothy49

Hey all, posting again! Ended up purchasing the 2001 Limited I checked out the other day. For 260k it's in great condition. It's got the slightest cyl 3 misfire on a very cold start. Only lasts a couple seconds before it clears up. In the process of hunting that down, and keeping in mind that I may need to do a HG job. Other than that it runs so smoothly.

Anyways! I'm trying to figure out suspension, which I know has been beaten to death. I want to add a winch and coastal bumper in the front. In the rear I'll have a rooftop tent, fridge, probably an aux battery, and my camping gear loaded up. Trying to decide if I should go with heavier duty springs in the front and/or back. Any suggestions? I'm looking in the Bilstein/OME price range.

I'd start with basic maintenance to create your baseline. At least knock out plugs and wires if you're having some misfire issues. Get a hold of a code reader if your CEL is on to read whatever codes are showing.

If you're planning to add all those goodies, you're gonna want a heavy duty spring, perhaps for both the front and rear. 5100's are a great shock to use for off-road use, which it sounds like this is going to be what your build is geared towards. You've got some options when it comes to springs though. I don't have bumpers or anything extra so I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences.

[Shlop]

What are some good seat cover options? The rip on my drivers side seat finally went full ass and now the foam is showing and it looks like garbage

[JoeT4R]

Originally Posted by Shlop

What are some good seat cover options? The rip on my drivers side seat finally went full ass and now the foam is showing and it looks like garbage

WetOkole or CoverKing are probably good options, $$$ though.

[I❤️4runners]

Originally Posted by JoeT4R

Never heard of GSP. When in doubt, you could always go with OEM Tocikos. Toyota Parts Deal dot com or plenty of other websites out there have OEM parts at a fraction of dealership costs. It just depends on what you want to achieve. I've had Gabriels, Bilsteins and Tocikos. The Bilstein 5100's are great for off road performance, but the Tocikos are great for comfort, in my opinion. You can do as much research as you want, but I personally don't think you'll really know what you like vs what you don't like until you've had first hand experience with it.

What are some of your goals? Are you staying stock or trying to lift? Plan to wheel it any? Or is this a daily driver/grocery getter? Do you carry passengers? Little ones, older folks? Just yourself? So many different things to consider. I'm ranting now so I'll stop.



Scotty Kilmer is a big proponent of KYB, I believe, and I think he's a reputable source. So you could give those a shot if you're interested, @I❤️4runners

You're right. I really just need to try something and get a feel for what I like. I'm one of those guys who wants to get everything right the first time but I think I just need quit researching and researching and just buy the dang things. I'm trying to stick as close to stock as possible but nobody sells OEM loaded strut assemblies for '96 4Runners. I can get OEM struts and springs separately but to be honest I don't really want to mess with a spring compressor. I think I'm gonna go with Moog strut assemblies for now. I'm pretty familiar with their stuff.

I don't do much wheeling simply because there aren't any good places around where I live. I don't really do much more than the occasional mud slingin'. I do carry passengers pretty frequently but honestly a couple of guys in a 4Runner don't really care that much about the way it rides. I do really appreciate your advice. This forum is so helpful. I'll keep you posted!

[slothy49]

Originally Posted by JoeT4R

I'd start with basic maintenance to create your baseline. At least knock out plugs and wires if you're having some misfire issues. Get a hold of a code reader if your CEL is on to read whatever codes are showing.

If you're planning to add all those goodies, you're gonna want a heavy duty spring, perhaps for both the front and rear. 5100's are a great shock to use for off-road use, which it sounds like this is going to be what your build is geared towards. You've got some options when it comes to springs though. I don't have bumpers or anything extra so I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences.

Yeah ran the codes on it. Just random misfire and cyl 3 misfire code on those cold starts. Gonna be baselining it too.


Curious to hear what heavy duty springs folks are rocking!

[fatherohenry]

Can I get some thoughts on this squeak?

This started a month or so ago, after a ton of rain. It only seems to be coming from front right. It also only seems to occur when it's maybe 45° or colder.

I've read other posts that seem to indicate this could simply be bushing noise but I could use someone else's opinion.

I replaced rack, sway bar, and end link bushings with Energy Suspension about a year and a half ago. 9 months ago I replaced upper and lower control arm bushings with OEM rubber and replaced the front end links after dropping a control arm off the press and bending the attached end link. These were cheap Moog end links with their own bushings. All ball joints and tie rods have been replaced within the last 3,500 miles.

OME 881s & Bilstein 5100s fwiw.

Thanks!

This video is me pushing up on the bumper.