Blistein 5100 series vs. Rancho 5000's

GiGi's 1996

GiGi's 1996

New member
Hello everyone. I am new to the forum and in need of experienced opinions/advice.
I have a 96 V6 Automatic 4WD 4Runner in stock condition that has 99800 miles on it.
I am looking for a Cadillac ride. I drive primarily in the city as my daily driver, freeway, city streets, hauling groceries, supplies from Home Depot, just your average hauler......
Which shock would you recommend? Any other stellar choices out there?
I searched a few pages regarding "shocks" and have a new wealth of information to investigate. Just thought I would throw this thread out there and get some additional feedback--as these 2 shocks appeal to me. I am going to call "Sonoransteel" on Monday. Read a lot of references to them here on forum and come to find out they are in my city of Tempe, AZ!!
Thanks for the feedback and I look forward to surfing this forum.

:thanks:
 
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get the 5000's. I have them on my 4runner in the rear and I hate them because they are so soft. I have 5100's up front and love them.
 
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I am also a German car aficionado (BMW owner) and I lived in Germany for 2.5 years, Blistein's are German and although I love how the Germans "over build" everything like a brick sh-t house, the German shocks are going to be stiffer in my humble opinion. If I were looking for a "Cadillac" like ride I would buy Monroe "Sensatracs", they are made in Michigan and are OEM on Cadillac's, or at least they were - I am from Michigan. I have them on my T4R and they are smooth. My buddy has Rancho's on his Suburban and they are soft as well.
 
not sure if you have seen the stickies and many threads on this but if you havent already then do a search on 'bilstien' and you will find much better* threads with a lot of detail.

I have Bilstien 5100s (adjustable) and love them. I wouldn't recommend anything else.

I am running the SS 1.2 kit. If you can afford it (~$1200) that is the way to go. A lot of the most badass DIY guys on this site (BFAD, Dirtco, many others) still went with Sonoran Steel's kit because it just really well put together and a for sure fit.

Most of the build your own (scrape together parts) guys swap out their suspension 2-3 times within 2 years, just read some build threads. If you have the cash to do it right, get a SS 1.2 kit (this one), the ride is great as well. I saved up for a whole summer and then got my kit.

Good luck.
 
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@brianemc2_42--As much as I like to spend money, the SS 1.2 kit for $1200 is a boat load of cash!! OK, this is a truck that we will have forever, hopefully, and I do not mind investing in something good....but are you saying my problems are more that just some worn out shocks? Maybe a silly question, but do you have adjustable Blisteins 5100s on the front and the back? thanks
 
Brian's review of the SS kit is dead on, it's a great kit. Gigi, I think it maybe over kill in your case though. From what I gather, you're not looking for a lift, just replacement shocks. Is that correct? If so, the Sensatracs will fit the bill just fine for you. I'm a big Bilstein fan, I ran them on both of my 4Runners. I too am also a German car guy and I run Billies in my BMW's too. But they are stiff, probably too stiff for your taste it sounds.
 
OP please read this thread. It should help to shed a lot of light on the subject.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs-80/rickashays-ome-vs-trd-tundra-lc-review-101758/


With a 100k miles, assuming you "want to do it right" I recommend replacing the whole suspension or just wait until you are able to do the whole thing at once. I did mine at 150k miles.

Most suspensions are nearing the 'end of life' by 100k miles. Sure they may be functional but the ride quality has gone down significantly to the point where it is no longer tip-top.

When you read the link I posted you can see that the 4Runner has:

Front - Coils over a strut
Rear - Coils with separate shocks.

If you go for a stock replacement great. If you want a lift, great also. For the cheapest stock replacement I would look into NAPA and replace all these at once (2) front coils + (2) front struts [will need to be assembled] && (2) rear coils and (2) rear struts.

Don't use AUTOZONE or anything cheap like that. I usually recommend OEM Toyota parts but NAPA is supposed to be really good as well and you are looking to save $$.

Please read up on this subject though because I am no expert.

:surfer:
 
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You should also note that you can get nearly the same lift kit as a SS 1.2 for ~ $700 in parts. That is what Rickashay did see the link I posted above. :)


Good luck with whatever you decide.


TRD Tundra/LC LIFT

Price of Parts:
Front coils: (2x) $123.90 (ToyotaPartSales.com)
Tundra Bilstein shock "kit" (includes all 4 shocks): $370 w/optional dust boots (link: http://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-13...djustable.html)
Tundra coil isolators: $22 (Wheelers Offroad)
LC 8 wraps: Found them used, $30
4Runner Top plates: use your stock ones! FREE
Total: ~$672

*NOTES TO CONSIDER*: You should get an adj. panhard bar or Toytec Panhard drop bracket also. I already had the Toytec drop bracket installed from the OME lift. (~$50) Also get a diff. drop for $50. You also may need to adjust your rear bumpstops to accommodate the LC coils/shocks. Don't forget to get extended rear brake lines with this lift, I already had extended stainless steel lines installed so I'm not sure if the factory lines are long enough.
Click to expand...
 
PLEASE don't get monroes, I run Ranchos in the Rear they are fine, KYB struts in the front, the Monroes are crap, the Ranchos can be had for less than $100 for the rear, and the KYB's are fairly similar for the fronts.
 
SS 1.2 WILL NOT RUN LIKE STOCK. it rides like a caddi. everyone that gets in my vehicle loves it. if you are a jerky driver, people will probably hate riding with you. my girlfriend says she is gonna get sick all the time....i just think she's trying to b**ch. haha

off road wise, you don't even know you are articulating in the rear. its freakin awesome. and like someone else said, you wont be replacing or switching parts out. i havent. ill ive done is bumped up my snap rings on the front to give me a little more lift due to the winch and bumper, and just wanting a bit more lift.

I cant be happier with the setup i have. and its all in one package. no guessing.
 
cordrayj1 said:
SS 1.2 WILL NOT RUN LIKE STOCK. it rides like a caddi. everyone that gets in my vehicle loves it. if you are a jerky driver, people will probably hate riding with you. my girlfriend says she is gonna get sick all the time....i just think she's trying to b**ch. haha

off road wise, you don't even know you are articulating in the rear. its freakin awesome. and like someone else said, you wont be replacing or switching parts out. i havent. ill ive done is bumped up my snap rings on the front to give me a little more lift due to the winch and bumper, and just wanting a bit more lift.

I cant be happier with the setup i have. and its all in one package. no guessing.
Click to expand...

Thank you for feedback!
 
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