1996, 127k miles... isn't that about the life of suspension? Ride is really rough over small bumps... what should it be replaced with? OEM? Or something aftermarket? Suggestions?

I'm considering doing the same thing, although my '97 only has 72k miles on it. All I ever hear anyone mentioning are Bilsteins or Old Man Emu suspension. I believe both are really good.
If you have jackstands and rent a spring compressor you could do the install yourself in an afternoon.

MSU HAVE YOU REPLACED YOUR SHOCKS YET? i HAVE GOT 54k MILES ON MY 4R AND AM THINKING ABOUT SHOCKS BUT NOT SURE IF I NEED NEW ONES YET. I WILL BE REPLACING MY TIRES BY MID SUMMER. jASON PRICED ME OUT AT $310. FOR 4 NEW BALSTEIN SHOCKS. (I THINK THAT IS THE CORRECT AMOUNT, DOUBLE CHECK WITH HIM FOR THE CORRECT PRICE)

I have not replaced my shocks yet, although that will probably come along soon. I did add Cornfed spacers, which helped the appearance a good bit. No more sag at all, in fact it added the slightest bit of forward tilt. After installing the spacers myself, I wish I had ordered new shocks at the same time to replace while I had everything disassembled. Oh well, I guess it will be easier next time, knowing how it all goes together. I have read many posts where people praise the improvement that new shocks gives them. I would like to install some nice yellow bilstein's because my ride is a tad too bumpy.

I have the same problem with my 96'.I did a search and found this post. I have around 81k on mine and the thing rides like a brick. I'm 30 now and have a 4 year old and every time I hit the road with them we all *****. I wasn't sure if I was getting old or if the suspension is just going down hill.

Has anyone replaced their suspension and notice a impressive change? I'm considering selling my truck because I'm over the ride. If a new suspension will really help I would invest the money and get a new suspension plus raise the truck a few inches at the same time. Otherwise I'm looking at going to a luxury sedan like a TL or something. I have also considered getting a new car and keeping the truck for fun and the occasional trip to Lowe's.

Well we seem to be talking about only shocks here, which are only one part of the suspension. I would say replacing just the shocks will make a big difference, I upgraded my tacoma at 77k and the stock shocks were toast, but it rides on the leafs and coils mostly so I only noticed over bigger bumps when it would bounce 3 or 4 times before settling down. With Billsteins it bounced once then evened out, which is really the role of our shocks anyway. On my 4runner I did billsteins at 20k and gave the stock tokico's to a friend for his 98, the new shocks make a huge difference in handling and body roll, I would recomend billsteins.

i am the one who received the used shocks from pat161. he gave them to me to replace my originals at about 85k on them. they were toast! the replacements he gave are just about done as well, now at 115k. bilsteins are in the mail. after riding in his truck a few once or twice, they are well worth the money. if i recall pat, didn't it raise the truck like 1/2 an inch (or atleast that is what we said! haha)

How much did you pay for the bilsteins and where did you order them from?

sorry, jason...if you see this post. i got them on ebay. there is a special for all 4 bilstein (95-2000) 4x4 for $255'ish plus $19 for delivery. so figure about $275 for the set of 4. just do a search for bilstein shocks. now....i know there are different types. for example, the ones that come stock on the trd's are not as heavy as the direct from bilstein. so..if you hold off a few days until i get them, i wil be able to let you know if they are worth the money. i am guessing they are because bottom line, they still have lifetime warranty. but do as you wish with that. i have seen jasonb a few forums, and he def. has quality parts. unfortunately, i do not have the $$ to spend top dollar. but if you do, then i would probably go through him. he is reputable, and you know where to find him if you have any problems/questions. but once again...each to their own.

Thanks, yeah it will be at least a few weeks before I order, let me know if they are the correct shocks once you get them. I already talked to jason he told me (if i remember correctly) that it was like $315. for the set. Thanks

Performance products has them for 3rd gens at $90 each front and $70 each rear for around $320 total, not sure about shipping costs. That's where both of my sets came from and other stuff as well and I have had good luck w/ PP as a vendor, just have to find the decent deals there.

I also have a 3rd gen (2000, Limited) that rids rougher than I expected. It has 103k and was recently purchased used. I have no idea when the dampers were replaced last.

I have noticed that there is very little suspension travel. In the front, I see about a 1.5inches and in the rear 2 to 2.5inches between the suspension and bump stop. This is causing a lot of roughness over speed bumps and such. Is this short travel normal for this truck?

The distances you mention are about right, but your not looking at it quite correctly. The coil spring will compress before the truck moves towards to bump stop, meaning you have more travel than you see. Look under the truck and have someone bounce it to see how the suspension works with the coil spring. If you are whacking off the bump stop you will know it, in essence you will be maxing out your suspension and hitting the bump stop really hard. I did it once cruising through some construction at 30 or so, I hit a large dip in the road and the rear bottomed out good, not like suspension working but a solid whack and very disconcerting noise as the bump stop was slammed. Keep in mind that these are real trucks and ride more like pickups than cars, they need to be stiff so that they don't bottom out off road, and they take bumps fairly harshly if you are not used to it. But at 103k you could definitely use new shocks if they have never been done, your coils should be fine.

i agree with pat161 on this topic. you are crazy if you think that every time you hit a speed bump, that you are hitting the bump stops. i have done it once myself(used the runner to pile 28 16x16 concrete bricks for a patio. they were about 20lbs each.), and let me tell you...i actually had to get out and make sure everything was alright! the noise, and the intensity of the hit was almost painful (if not for me, then for my ears). contribute the harsh ride to owning a truck. if you are looking for something more subtle, then perhaps a highlander would be a better choice. once again, all in what you are looking for. i got in to the runner knowing that it is a truck, and that in order to have something that well built, there would be sacrifices. the "truck like ride" is def. one of them. however, you have the limited, correct? you must have the nice seats. they must help a bit, no? pat161, you can answer that. do they help?

It's the Limited.

You're right about the front suspension. Even though I see 1 inch or so of clearance above the lower control arm to the bump stop, the leverage probably gives it 6+ inches before it hits the bumpstop.

The rear however doesn't have this lever effect as the bump stop is directly above the axle.