[moloss]

I have a 2004 v8 limited with 130k on it that I've owned for about a month or two.....all fluids have been changed to synthetic, and timing belt and water pump were done before I bought it....now to my question....being that it's 10 yrs old should I look into replacing the shocks? I just put 255/75/17 bfg mt's on (got 4 brand new take offs from a rubicon for $500) and no rubbing but I don't like the nose down thing.....cheapest is a front spacer or spacer combo but if I need new shocks anyway should I spend some more money and do new shocks and go a completely different route? this is a daily driver/hunting rig so a couple inches is all I'm looking for but that said I want it to ride good.....thanks in advance Chris.

[nevada]

Originally Posted by moloss

I have a 2004 v8 limited with 130k on it that I've owned for about a month or two.....all fluids have been changed to synthetic, and timing belt and water pump were done before I bought it....now to my question....being that it's 10 yrs old should I look into replacing the shocks? I just put 255/75/17 bfg mt's on (got 4 brand new take offs from a rubicon for $500) and no rubbing but I don't like the nose down thing.....cheapest is a front spacer or spacer combo but if I need new shocks anyway should I spend some more money and do new shocks and go a completely different route? this is a daily driver/hunting rig so a couple inches is all I'm looking for but that said I want it to ride good.....thanks in advance Chris.

if they've never been changed, they are overdue.

generally its 60-80k for shocks/struts.

[Gecko123]

Originally Posted by nevada

if they've never been changed, they are overdue.

generally its 60-80k for shocks/struts.

really at 60-80K they need to be changed. I dont know if i agree with this.
When I bought my 4Runner about 4 years ago, it already had about 60K miles (90,000km). Now it's got 160,000 km, so about 100K miles and the shocks and struts are still fine.

At one point i had some issues with my car drifting, thinking it was the shocks/struts and even the guy at Toyota Dealer told me strut/shocks are pretty solid and its most likely your tires, and sure enough it turned out to be a balancing issue on the tires. This was when the car had about 140,000 km.

[NuclearN8]

Coils tend to sag over time (all springs do, eventually....)... hard to tell until you get a new set since they're under preload (unless you measure your front fender to the ground in the same exact spot on a monthly basis (with the same exact tire air pressure) and track the measurement.... )

If the struts aren't leaking, they're still good. if they're leaking, they need replaced. I think it's this simple.

OR you could just replace everything because you want to, not that anyone on this forum has done that before... If you wanna wait 3-4 months I can give you a perfectly good Xreas system for your 4runner. haha

[BlackWorksInc]

From what I have been told by a couple reps from various shock companies is that usually OEM Struts/shocks last roughly 50k and start to degrade after that. With that being said some vehicles go through them faster (sports cars) and others longer (XREAS for example, seems to last closer to the 80-100k range typically, not including some oddball cases on the forums.)

[blackfc3s]

Originally Posted by BlackWorksInc

From what I have been told by a couple reps from various shock companies is that usually OEM Struts/shocks last roughly 50k and start to degrade after that. With that being said some vehicles go through them faster (sports cars) and others longer (XREAS for example, seems to last closer to the 80-100k range typically, not including some oddball cases on the forums.)

The cool thing about shocks is that they degrade gradually and you really don't notice them until they completely fail. (fluid loss or sag.) I usually don't replace shocks/struts till 125K miles

[NOVA46]

I've always hear to replace them with the tires. However I'm at 150k on my stock socks and springs... goin to bilstein 5100s and fj coils soon. Check Amazon, they have great deals on the 4600 series, and rock auto has replacement springs for relatively cheap.

"Oddball case"

[BlackWorksInc]

Originally Posted by blackfc3s

The cool thing about shocks is that they degrade gradually and you really don't notice them until they completely fail. (fluid loss or sag.) I usually don't replace shocks/struts till 125K miles

That's actually worse, because you won't notice one of the larger safety concerns attached to failing struts/shocks... Increased Stopping Distance. It can be as bad as twice as long to stop in a panic situation, there's a lot of articles about it. There's also the issue of reduced handling capability and response.

[RCs4Runner]

Originally Posted by NOVA46

I've always hear to replace them with the tires.

"Oddball case"

Yeah sounds like something an oddball would say. Never heard of that and would personally never follow that suggestion.

[DRich43]

So with all things considered and he need shocks/struts what do you all think is the best route to go? I've heard the Bilstein 5100's are good...any other suggestions or should he just go with OEM and get another 100k out of them?

[ebg18t]

5100's is kinda the catch all shock around here.

You know you need to replace shocks when the rebound is bouncy or not controlled.

[RCs4Runner]

Most people with bad shocks / struts don't even know they're bad until they replace them with new ones. I doubt he got over 100K miles out of them.

OEM or Bilstein would be the best bet. If he doesn't care about lift go w/ OEM for that plush ride.

[cloh09]

Originally Posted by RCs4Runner

Most people with bad shocks / struts don't even know they're bad until they replace them with new ones. I doubt he got over 100K miles.

I don't think that's necessarily true. I have the original xreas on and mine started to leak around 160k. No sagging yet just some minor leakage. Only now at 165k does it seem to be losing its "tightness". I'm going to replace with the 5100s soon but it's not out of the question to get over 100k on the originals.
Having said that, and from reading all over here, it's probably cheaper and easier to replace with aftermarket. Maybe I have an oddball case as well but then I guess there are a lot of us that have original suspension last well over 100k.
Good luck with your decisions.

[moloss]

ok.....the more I learn the more confused I am....I do have the original shocks, so they need replacing.....that said that still doesn't give me the leveling I want so I looked at the daystar comfort spacers, seem to like them....however do I need new springs too? I've read anything less than 3 inches and your ok with your alignment (and that's what I want).....do I get new shocks and a spacer? new shocks and springs? new shocks, springs and a spacer (still having the total lift under 3 inches).....I undersand not all is needed to level but considering the 4runner is 10 yrs old I thought maybe replacing the shocks and springs would be a good idea (but what do I know)....any and all suggestions are needed and appreciated....thanks again.

[ebg18t]

KISS

Keep your current springs. Install a set of Bilstein 5100's. (Set of 4~ $320 from down south Motorsports) Set front to middle position (1.75"). This will eliminate the rake.

If you want more you can use the 2.5" position in the front and add a $20 rear spring spacer.

After a few days of driving on the new suspension get the alignment checked.

Throw all the xreas crap in the trash. Enjoy fresh ride quality.