best shocks for street and highway ride

[98CDN4RUNNER]

I have the Bilstein 4600(yellow/blue) on both my 4runners and I don't have any complaints, I tow with both, run lots of forest service roads etc......no issues and both 4runners are daily driven.

Had KYB's on before and I have found the Bilsteins to better suit my needs.

 

[T4R2014]

Don't fear the KYB's. I ran two generations of them in my my runner before my Toytec lift. KYB's are stiff for the first 500-1000 miles, so don't have buyers remorse driving away from the shop. But, they are great for cornering and not diving when you brake. Personally I didn't like the ride of my soft Bilstein's after the great handling of the KYB's.

I also ran Gabriel's (don't bother), and Tokico (great ride).

Which KYB's are you talking about? Monomax or Gas-a-just? I always hear that the Monomax is one of the stiffest and worst riding shocks around. The upside about KYB's are that they are made in Japan.

 

[KimIsAGuy]

I have a question, what set up would be best for mainly on road driving? I use mine for recreational stuff, some off roading nothing like rock crawling. I really don't like body roll and what not. Not expecting it to drive like a sport car or anything.

 

[geohil]

I have a question, what set up would be best for mainly on road driving? I use mine for recreational stuff, some off roading nothing like rock crawling. I really don't like body roll and what not. Not expecting it to drive like a sport car or anything.

Pretty much what geekless is doing. Bigger Addco sway-bars and poly bushings are the main things. Shocks/Struts are up to your preference. I enjoyed my KYB gas-a-just on-road, but the Bilstein 4600's and Tokico's are great choices too. If you want more stiffness you can Air-Lift the rear with some simple kits.

 

[geekless]

Pretty much what geekless is doing. Bigger Addco sway-bars and poly bushings are the main things. Shocks/Struts are up to your preference. I enjoyed my KYB gas-a-just on-road, but the Bilstein 4600's and Tokico's are great choices too. If you want more stiffness you can Air-Lift the rear with some simple kits.

Found the Bilstein 4600's at summit. Back-ordered until June. Found this excellent write up on the Addco bars:

Toyota 4Runner Handling Modifications Addco Sway Roll Bars

A little concerned that it doesn't seem like a true direct fit (given the amount of parts needed beyond what's in the box) but I'll get the shocks for now and once I read over that article a bit more I'm sure I'll get comfortable with the idea of doing the work myself

 

[geohil]

Found the Bilstein 4600's at summit. Back-ordered until June. Found this excellent write up on the Addco bars:

Toyota 4Runner Handling Modifications Addco Sway Roll Bars

A little concerned that it doesn't seem like a true direct fit (given the amount of parts needed beyond what's in the box) but I'll get the shocks for now and once I read over that article a bit more I'm sure I'll get comfortable with the idea of doing the work myself

Here was the write-up I used. Speedy is a wealth of knowledge. He has many write-ups on YotaTech.
Project SportRunner - ADDCO Sway Bars

 

[geekless]

Here was the write-up I used. Speedy is a wealth of knowledge. He has many write-ups on YotaTech.
Project SportRunner - ADDCO Sway Bars

Nice and simple. I like it! I'm starting to feel much more comfortable with the idea of installing the parts myself. Maybe even the shocks too. We shall see! I should be getting either the front or rear shocks next week but one of them is still on back order until mid-June.

I'll report back when I get everything done!! Thanks again for all of your advice and wisdom. Really made my decision-making process a heck of a lot better!

 

[KimIsAGuy]

Thanks! I've been trying to find the info. I didn't know they make sway bars for trucks.

 

[Tibikehauler4]

Want your ride quality as well

Let me know how the ride feels after the 4600's. I am going to call Bilstein and look into their other models....5100?? 5125??? Although this may be an off road model.

Also, let me know how tough the work is if you do them yourself.

I am deciding on OE from Tokico vs Bilstein. Dealer quoted $40 per rear and $147 per front OE Tokico. Bilstein cost about the same.

I was about to buy KYB's but understand they just are to stiff for road driving. I have used them and enjoyed them on sports cars in the past and would agree they probably don't feel great on an SUV.

I also have in the past really enjoyed new bushings, control arms, and tie rod replacements. I wish I could afford but this is a college car for son and dads spent.

 

[Dan M.]

lf you decide to go tokico, I happen to know a guy (me) that has a pair of green tokico trekmaster struts for sale. Still in the box. Nothing wrong with them, just spent more than 30 days deciding I didn't want to sit at stock height anymore and now I can't return them. Here's my classified add if you're interested.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...o-trekmaster-struts-3rd-gen-4wd-oklahoma.html

 

[Kakarotto]

Help!

I've been reading through quite a few threads but havnt come to a conclusion on what I need. I keep hearing KYB are stiff , and some people saying they are great. Maybe one of them are talking about the monomax and the other is talking about gas-a-struts? I'm trying to save as much money as I can by researching but I still need more info. I currently have a 2000 T4R sr5 2wd 3.4L at 160,000 miles with original shocks/struts/coils with 2.5" spacers in the front along with the dreadful sagging of the rear. My goal I am aiming for is for highway ride comfort that can handle speed bumps, potholes, and ocasional off road washboard without braking the bank.
I've come across two coil springs researching, moogs and old man emu coils (2880 and 2881 for the front and 2906 for the rear). People keep saying moogs are garbage and some others saying they are basically stock coils which is basically what I am looking for anyways.
I've also come across quite a few shocks/struts replacements. Trekmasters, kybs gas-a-struts, monroes, Ranchos , 4600 bilsteins and now possible 5100 bilsteins because the employee at Off road wear house says the 5100's will fit with the emu coils but wherever I look online about the 5100's , it keeps saying they are not compatable with my truck.
I'm leaning more towards the emu coils and kyb struts/shocks but i don't want to be stuck with a rough ride. Going with either of the bilsteins options will cost me about $200 more then the kybs. If it makes since I'm married with two kids, so I'm trying to save money but make my vehicle ride comfortably and safely. Anyone have any input that will help me? Thanks in advance! And if it matters I want to replace the lower ball joints at the same time if I have enough money since I've heard bad things about them in the 3rd gens....

 

[reelamin]

Anyone have any input that will help me? Thanks in advance! And if it matters I want to replace the lower ball joints at the same time if I have enough money since I've heard bad things about them in the 3rd gens....[/QUOTE]

So many things are subjective...what one likes and advocates the next hates. I want to qualify the following...I HATE BILSTEIN FOR THEIR INADEQUATE PARTS, CRAPPY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WARRANTY SUPPORT!

If you want a OEM ride do not put Bilstein 5100's on! People say they love them because "this is a truck and now it rides like a truck". We have a fleet of actual trucks and not one of rides like this SUV with Bilstein's. If you want a sharper/stiffer bounce/more tire bounce...get the Bilstein 5100. If you are hung up on having Bilstein like a lot of people here are get the 4600's. Oh even though you are paying premium dollar for Bilstein...make sure all the needed parts like bushings, washers, etc are included in your Bilsteins because they leave things out on some shocks.

I would go with KYB, Rancho, or hell even Monroe (not base model Monroe) for what you want. Work perfect, affordable, great customer service....and the Bilstein Kool Aid wont give you acid reflux.

 

[phattyduck]

All of the OME springs are stiffer than stock, especially the 906's. If you want safe and comfortable ride, stick with stock height (remove that spacer lift!). New factory springs would be best to re-level the ride.

I have had Bilstein 4600's on my 4Runner for many years and they are very comfortable on-road.

-Charlie

 

[Tyler James Inc]

[MENTION=119226]reelamin[/MENTION]
It's crazy how different people's experiences are from one another.
The 4600's on the rear of my rig are INSANELY under dampened. It bounces a time or two almost every time I come to a stop, it unloads SUPER bad around cornering windy roads, as well as on e-stops.I can't wait to get 5100's back on my rig. They were a perfect match to the Superflex. In fact, I wouldn't mind if they were a little MORE dampened. And, trust me- I like a comfortable ride. I don't want my rig to "ride like a truck" at all. The 5100's rode SO GOOD with the Superflex rear coils- nothing like any of my buddies "trucks". Which has to be one of the worst ways to describe the ride of any vehicle- a '97 F250 rides NOTHING like a '17 Ram 1500- but they're both "trucks", right?!
My father in law is VERY particular about his vehicles and suspension, and he swapped the OEM TRD 4600's out for 5100's at 20k miles on his '04 TRD Tundra, because he couldn't stand how under dampened they were. That's on otherwise completely stock suspension- FWIW.

 

[reelamin]

[MENTION=119226]reelamin[/MENTION]
It's crazy how different people's experiences are from one another.
The 4600's on the rear of my rig are INSANELY under dampened. It bounces a time or two almost every time I come to a stop, it unloads SUPER bad around cornering windy roads, as well as on e-stops.I can't wait to get 5100's back on my rig. They were a perfect match to the Superflex. In fact, I wouldn't mind if they were a little MORE dampened. And, trust me- I like a comfortable ride. I don't want my rig to "ride like a truck" at all. The 5100's rode SO GOOD with the Superflex rear coils- nothing like any of my buddies "trucks". Which has to be one of the worst ways to describe the ride of any vehicle- a '97 F250 rides NOTHING like a '17 Ram 1500- but they're both "trucks", right?!
My father in law is VERY particular about his vehicles and suspension, and he swapped the OEM TRD 4600's out for 5100's at 20k miles on his '04 TRD Tundra, because he couldn't stand how under dampened they were. That's on otherwise completely stock suspension- FWIW.

Exactly correct.....Everyone is so different in what they like or want...I'm not hating my 5100's... (still pissed Bilstein didnt give me bushings and could give a frack on helping me...LOL) I'm still driving/evaluation them and they are ok so far....but they are noticeably stiff for such a light SUV. Regardless...I'm stuck with them. Then add in different springs, spring rates, blah blah blah...and everything changes.

Dont forget to remind me and others. "Because I Like it!!!"....needs to be your sig line...hahaha and I love that response!

 

[Tyler James Inc]

[MENTION=119226]reelamin[/MENTION] remind me what rear springs you are running...

 

[reelamin]

[MENTION=119226]reelamin[/MENTION] remind me what rear springs you are running...

906's/4 Runner 5100's...Exactly 2" of lift...I only have less than 2K on them.....waiting to get closer for Alignment date (10th) to put the 880's on the front.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Oh, gotcha. I think it's safe to say the 906's are responsible for much more of the firm/harsh ride than the 5100's. I know guys say those handle towing loads with very minimal sagging.
That said- from what I can find- the 906 has a spring rate of 220lb, while TotalAutomotive says the Superflex have a rate of 240lb. I think that's way off, but that's what they said in a thread regarding Superflex spring rate.

 

[Kakarotto]

Thanks for the reply guys!
I'm definetly not hung up on getting bilsteins, I'm probably going to go with kybs(way cheaper and supposively decent quality).
If I went with the KYB gas-a-just shocks($80 for 2) and struts($124 for 2) ,
What coils would you reccomend?
I have a good friend who installed moogs about 6 months ago with their bilsteins in the rear of their t4r and they love it.
I would go with the OEM but they are extremely pricey. I called the local toyota dealership and they quoted me $324 for the front coils and $251.32 for the rear coils(not including labor).
The OME front coils and rear coils are going for $180 a pair on amazon.com.
The Moogs in the front are going for $60 a pair and the rear Moogs are going for $37 a pair.
Are their any other reliable coil brands out there besides the ones I just listed? And as a reminder I'm after comfort/safety. And I will remove the spacers like you mentioned earlier, thanks for that advice! And now from what I just read, it appears the OME 906 cause stiffness? Starting to loose interest in those meow...lol

 

[reelamin]

Thanks for the reply guys!
I'm definetly not hung up on getting bilsteins, I'm probably going to go with kybs(way cheaper and supposively decent quality).
If I went with the KYB gas-a-just shocks($80 for 2) and struts($124 for 2) ,
What coils would you reccomend?
I have a good friend who installed moogs about 6 months ago with their bilsteins in the rear of their t4r and they love it.
I would go with the OEM but they are extremely pricey. I called the local toyota dealership and they quoted me $324 for the front coils and $251.32 for the rear coils(not including labor).
The OME front coils and rear coils are going for $180 a pair on amazon.com.
The Moogs in the front are going for $60 a pair and the rear Moogs are going for $37 a pair.
Are their any other reliable coil brands out there besides the ones I just listed? And as a reminder I'm after comfort/safety. And I will remove the spacers like you mentioned earlier, thanks for that advice! And now from what I just read, it appears the OME 906 cause stiffness? Starting to loose interest in those meow...lol

Spring information results is not going to be any different than shocks. Try the SEARCH feature it really has a lot of information in much more detail. Lots of places to get OME much cheaper than Amazon....again search it as it has been covered dozens of times.