97 Shocks and struts replacement question

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fblainen11

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I have a 97 that has KYB Gasajust shocks and struts. I hate them. The ride is exceptionally hard and uncomfortable over Louisiana interstate.

My question is for OEM rear shocks there is only one part number for rear shocks. However, the front struts have base (15"), SR5 (16"), and Limited (16") options. The ones I believe I need (SR5) cost $60 more per strut. Can I use the limited strut? What is the difference? I'd prefer to just go with the limiteds if they offer a softer ride. Any insight?
 
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That's strange you find the ride harsh, they're supposed to be stock replacements. I have them and the ride feels stock, the red monomax are supposed to be harsh.
 
Total speculation, but it seems to me that SR5's tend to sit a little higher/differently than Limiteds. I've only seem limited and base models ever sag, not so much with SR5's.

Then again, it just might be the fender flares that throw me off.

Try calling a Toyota dealership and see what they say.
 
fblainen11 said:
Anyone else have any input on differences between sr5 and Limited front struts?
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Unless your buying the 99 tall coils they are all going to be the same. SR5, Limited they will both fit your 4runner they will both give the same amount of ride height.

If you are replacing why not go aftermarket for a better ride? Just a suggestion but OEM is going to be just as expensive as some Bilsteins.
 
KaliKid said:
Unless your buying the 99 tall coils they are all going to be the same. SR5, Limited they will both fit your 4runner they will both give the same amount of ride height.

If you are replacing why not go aftermarket for a better ride? Just a suggestion but OEM is going to be just as expensive as some Bilsteins.
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He has aftermarket ones on there currently and doesn't like them. The rear OEM shocks are dirt cheap, you can get them for about $35 each. It's the struts that are pricey, more like $120-$150 each.

I have KYB Gas-a-Just shocks as well and I don't mind them at all. They are a little stiffer than OEM but in my opinion are better off-road the OEM since that little bit of stiffness gives more stability. Everyone is different though in what they like.
 
gamefreakgc said:
He has aftermarket ones on there currently and doesn't like them.

I guess I should be more specific, ANYTHING AFTERMARKET EXCEPT FOR KYB. You get what you pay for sure you can get some OEM shocks for $35 but is it really worth pulling everything off to install those when you could spend a little more $, just as much time and have an overall better ride? Thats for the OP to decide.
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KaliKid said:
Unless your buying the 99 tall coils they are all going to be the same. SR5, Limited they will both fit your 4runner they will both give the same amount of ride height.

If you are replacing why not go aftermarket for a better ride? Just a suggestion but OEM is going to be just as expensive as some Bilsteins.
Click to expand...

I'm not really looking for any lift. I am rarely off-road (I use my 87 Honda 3Wheeler for hunting). Good to know. I will call the dealer and ask about ride height difference. My wifes 2000 limited has oem everything and the ride is much better on highway.

I've thought about doing OEM rear and bilstein 5100s up front or 5100s all around, I do worry that the ride will be too stiff over terrible Louisiana roads if I use Bilsteins.

Also, if it is okay to do Bilsteins in front and OEM rears, should I worry about the front sitting higher than the rear?
 
fblainen11 said:
I'm not really looking for any lift. I am rarely off-road (I use my 87 Honda 3Wheeler for hunting). Good to know. I will call the dealer and ask about ride height difference. My wifes 2000 limited has oem everything and the ride is much better on highway.

I've thought about doing OEM rear and bilstein 5100s up front or 5100s all around, I do worry that the ride will be too stiff over terrible Louisiana roads if I use Bilsteins.

Also, if it is okay to do Bilsteins in front and OEM rears, should I worry about the front sitting higher than the rear?
Click to expand...

You are replacing the shocks, the coils are what would give you "lift". The only reason you would have a ride height difference is if you went with an adjustable perch strut assembly up front and adjusted it up to provide lift. After thinking about this more and more I think you should just buy the OEM shocks and be done with it. You will be very happy and dont need to worry about what size travel you need to order for stock height, etc. Bolt n go my friend.
 
I can't believe that we have had our 01 sport and i never found this place before today.

Anyway, i have the kyb shocks also with new springs and i like the firmer ride over the bouncing that we were getting with 170k old ones.
 
dallison said:
I can't believe that we have had our 01 sport and i never found this place before today.

Anyway, i have the kyb shocks also with new springs and i like the firmer ride over the bouncing that we were getting with 170k old ones.
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I don't mind the firm ride on smooth roads. However, last year I drove my 4runner from Louisiana to Kentucky hauling a trailer and the worst patch of interstate or highway I drove was a 2 mile stretch between Sulphur and Lake Charles Louisiana....the very drive I make daily on I-10 to get from home to work. The KYBs are nice on smooth road, but the patch of interstate is downright bone jarring on a daily basis. I've got to get something softer.
 
I just recently replaced the front struts on my Limited and SR5 with "quick struts" from Detroit Axle. I don't off road much and the ride is nice. They were about $120 for a pair. We'll see how they hold up.
 
KaliKid said:
You are replacing the shocks, the coils are what would give you "lift". The only reason you would have a ride height difference is if you went with an adjustable perch strut assembly up front and adjusted it up to provide lift. After thinking about this more and more I think you should just buy the OEM shocks and be done with it. You will be very happy and dont need to worry about what size travel you need to order for stock height, etc. Bolt n go my friend.
Click to expand...

Do you see any problem with Bilstein 5100s in front and OEM in back? I know the 5100s are adjustable for lifts between 0-3" or so. I just want to make sure they won't make the front sit higher than the back.
From what I've read the Bilsteins are a little softer on roads than the KYB. Maybe better calibration on damping than KYBs.
 
fblainen11 said:
I have a 97 that has KYB Gasajust shocks and struts. I hate them. The ride is exceptionally hard and uncomfortable over Louisiana interstate.

My question is for OEM rear shocks there is only one part number for rear shocks. However, the front struts have base (15"), SR5 (16"), and Limited (16") options. The ones I believe I need (SR5) cost $60 more per strut. Can I use the limited strut? What is the difference? I'd prefer to just go with the limiteds if they offer a softer ride. Any insight?
Click to expand...

Your tires and the inflation pressure in them, can also make for a harsh ride.

Also, all steel springs will sag over time. If you have the original '97 coil springs, they are likely sagged, and you might be riding along with little to no suspension travel. Bouncing off the bumpstops, can make for a harsh ride.

I just recently decided to refresh my '97's suspension, front-end, and brakes.

I'm running new stock height coilsprings, and KYB Gas-a-just shocks. With ride height and thus suspension travel restored, the ride is much better than it was.

I went with KYB, because I've had numerous Motorcycles with Kayaba suspension, with no complaints. And I never heard any complaints from customers when I installed KYB shocks on their vehicles, back in the day.
 
yeah, it sounds like you need something softer to absorb those bumps.

fblainen11 said:
I don't mind the firm ride on smooth roads. However, last year I drove my 4runner from Louisiana to Kentucky hauling a trailer and the worst patch of interstate or highway I drove was a 2 mile stretch between Sulphur and Lake Charles Louisiana....the very drive I make daily on I-10 to get from home to work. The KYBs are nice on smooth road, but the patch of interstate is downright bone jarring on a daily basis. I've got to get something softer.
Click to expand...
 
02SE said:
Your tires and the inflation pressure in them, can also make for a harsh ride.

Also, all steel springs will sag over time. If you have the original '97 coil springs, they are likely sagged, and you might be riding along with little to no suspension travel. Bouncing off the bumpstops, can make for a harsh ride.

I just recently decided to refresh my '97's suspension, front-end, and brakes.

I'm running new stock height coilsprings, and KYB Gas-a-just shocks. With ride height and thus suspension travel restored, the ride is much better than it was.

I went with KYB, because I've had numerous Motorcycles with Kayaba suspension, with no complaints. And I never heard any complaints from customers when I installed KYB shocks on their vehicles, back in the day.
Click to expand...

I will look into replacement springs. I don't think I have a problem with rear sag. Even with a trailer and a decent load it remains pretty level. But, worth looking into while I'm pulling things apart.
 
02SE said:
Your tires and the inflation pressure in them, can also make for a harsh ride.

Also, all steel springs will sag over time. If you have the original '97 coil springs, they are likely sagged, and you might be riding along with little to no suspension travel. Bouncing off the bumpstops, can make for a harsh ride.

I just recently decided to refresh my '97's suspension, front-end, and brakes.

I'm running new stock height coilsprings, and KYB Gas-a-just shocks. With ride height and thus suspension travel restored, the ride is much better than it was.

I went with KYB, because I've had numerous Motorcycles with Kayaba suspension, with no complaints. And I never heard any complaints from customers when I installed KYB shocks on their vehicles, back in the day.
Click to expand...

That's my exact suspension as well. New stock height springs (not OEM though, too pricey), I'm pretty happy with it.

You forgot to mention that KYB's are way cheaper than other brands and they last (unlike Monroe). That's what sold them for me.
 
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