FJ80 Rear Shock Input Please

This isn’t an intentional diss on Toytec but I don’t know that I’ve ever gotten a definitive answer from them anytime I called with a question.

Yeah, there must be a new team/new members because the person I've spoken with/emailed with haven't heard of the 33-187174 used on the 3rd Gen.

I'm pretty sure the lower bushing is suitable, just a lingering concern re: upper washers/bushings.
 
Yeah, there must be a new team/new members because the person I've spoken with/emailed with haven't heard of the 33-187174 used on the 3rd Gen.

I'm pretty sure the lower bushing is suitable, just a lingering concern re: upper washers/bushings.

My concern would be about the lower, the bilstiens come with the upper mounting hardware that is appropriate for our upper shock housing AFAIK

The other rear shock to consider here is the Toyota Tokico 48531-69417 ($65 each Amazon, $40-45 online toyota dealers - buyer must supply mounting hardware)

I called Toytec the other day and spoke with Nick, he said he was the "3rd Gen guy" there, not sure if Chris or Bijan are still there or not
 
Hey dudes,

There are currently four 3rd gen guys here at Toytec Lifts. 2 are in support, 1 is in sales, 1 is the asst warehouse manager.

You'll only talk to Mike, Nick, or Bijan though, as Devin does not take calls for any reason. I (Bijan) have been here a year, Nick has been here a couple months.

Toytec USED to carry a Bilstein shock part # 33-187174 but we do not anymore. It's too short for the Toytec Superflex rear coil springs.

We strive to have all the right answers - but, at the end of the day - we are not ALL KNOWING beings. We try though!
 
Hey dudes,

There are currently four 3rd gen guys here at Toytec Lifts. 2 are in support, 1 is in sales, 1 is the asst warehouse manager.

You'll only talk to Mike, Nick, or Bijan though, as Devin does not take calls for any reason. I (Bijan) have been here a year, Nick has been here a couple months.

Toytec USED to carry a Bilstein shock part # 33-187174 but we do not anymore. It's too short for the Toytec Superflex rear coil springs.

We strive to have all the right answers - but, at the end of the day - we are not ALL KNOWING beings. We try though!

This is the first I've read that the 33-187174 being too short - I thought the prevailing concern was that the compressed length was rather too long.

Can you please provide the compressed and extended lengths for the BOSS shocks?

(2) TT-9602R - Toytec Rear BOSS Shocks - 96-02 4Runner

I don't have the Bilstein product number for the 5150s (yes 50s) that ToyTec offered when I purchased my lift from them, otherwise I'd look up the lengths for them as well and post.
 
You may need a set of these - 3/4" shock bushings

Hey bud, thanks for the feedback. However, I found the KYBs that came with my truck when I purchased it and compared the inside diameter of the lower bushings. They are the same, so it appears that the 3/4" shock bushings are not required for the Bilstein 33-187174.

I believe they may be required for the Bilstein yellows.


Edit: Also see [MENTION=116470]Tyler James Inc[/MENTION] post here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...james-incs-oem-97-limited-12.html#post2608001
 
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Lots of crazy input and opinions here.
The shocks are not short. They are a great length for a 3" lift.
The lowers are a direct fit.
The hourglass bushings are for fitting Tundra rears on our rigs. That's what Wheelers swaps out if you order a certain 5100 from them.
The ONLY issue with the 33-187174 on our rigs is the fact they have no centering washers on the top mount- just like the LC80 shocks that Sonoran has you drill out your upper mounts to run.
I have personal experience with these exact shocks, and know them very well.
 
I have personal experience with these exact shocks, and know them very well.

How would you compare them to the tokico rear shock in a 3-inch lifted application using either superflex or LC coils?

FWIW
Dimensions on the 33-187174 FJ shock are
Collapsed Length (IN): 14.91
Extended Length (IN): 23.5
Travel Length (IN): 8.59
 
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How would you compare them to the tokico rear shock in a 3-inch lifted application using either superflex or LC coils?
FWIW
Dimensions on the 33-187174 FJ shock are
Collapsed Length (IN): 14.91
Extended Length (IN): 23.5
Travel Length (IN): 8.59

Compare them how? To how they perform? I've never ran the LC80 Tokico's, so I can't compare performance. The 5th gen Tokico's I'm currently running are not at all how I like a shock to perform. They're very progressive, and get very harsh over speed bumps. With the 5100's, I felt like I was in a trophy truck with how it soaked up speed bumps. I can't say if the LC Tokico's are similar in performance at all though.
If you are talking dimensions, the specs are virtually identical. Referencing my notes-
16fe02b6121037653e92158d99874584.jpg
 
Lots of crazy input and opinions here.
The shocks are not short. They are a great length for a 3" lift.
The lowers are a direct fit.
The hourglass bushings are for fitting Tundra rears on our rigs. That's what Wheelers swaps out if you order a certain 5100 from them.
The ONLY issue with the 33-187174 on our rigs is the fact they have no centering washers on the top mount- just like the LC80 shocks that Sonoran has you drill out your upper mounts to run.
I have personal experience with these exact shocks, and know them very well.

3" vs 3.75" rear coils paired with 33-187174 is what I'm referring to specifically.
 
How would you compare them to the tokico rear shock in a 3-inch lifted application using either superflex or LC coils?

FWIW
Dimensions on the 33-187174 FJ shock are
Collapsed Length (IN): 14.91
Extended Length (IN): 23.5
Travel Length (IN): 8.59

I'll give some input since I've run both setups.

We'll start with the bad. I couldn't remove my Superflex springs fast enough! I was NOT happy in the slightest with them, and they do NOT carry the weight they claim. Others have complained about the same about the same issues. If you plan on running Superflex spring with a rear bumper, and full size carrier. You better think about running airbags with them as well.

Now I'm running 861's with Tokico's, and couldn't be happier. The Tokico's will be stiffer than the Bilstein's, but if you're carrying weight that's not a bad thing. I'm now running 861's with a rear bumper, 285/75/16 spare, fold down table, jerry can, and a custom sleeping/storage platform with no issues.

If you don't plan on running weight the Superflex will be just fine. If you plan on getting a rear bumper, and all that than get the 861's.
 
I'll give some input since I've run both setups.

We'll start with the bad. I couldn't remove my Superflex springs fast enough! I was NOT happy in the slightest with them, and they do NOT carry the weight they claim. Others have complained about the same about the same issues. If you plan on running Superflex spring with a rear bumper, and full size carrier. You better think about running airbags with them as well.

Now I'm running 861's with Tokico's, and couldn't be happier. The Tokico's will be stiffer than the Bilstein's, but if you're carrying weight that's not a bad thing. I'm now running 861's with a rear bumper, 285/75/16 spare, fold down table, jerry can, and a custom sleeping/storage platform with no issues.

If you don't plan on running weight the Superflex will be just fine. If you plan on getting a rear bumper, and all that than get the 861's.

Thanks Mike, I'm running LC 8-wraps with a stock bumper (for now) and ProComp rear shocks sold by Toytec. For now, I'm not going to change anything, but [MENTION=175921]TonyB66[/MENTION] is looking at suspension and this input for him will be valuable

I am piecemealing my way along and may revisit my rear suspension, upgrading shocks if and when necessary, and possibly coils too when my needs/rear weight dictate a change.

Appreciate your post
 
The same ones Sonoran Steel lists in their "piece it together yourself" kit - those shocks are $45 each at camelback toyota online

I think I paid around $74 for both from the dealer, didn't have to pay shipping, and had them the next day.

Would the shocks be a direct fit or does anything need to be changed, i.e. bushings, etc?

The shocks include the rubber bushings, and the nuts. You'll need to get the washers for them still, and that's part 90948-02144. I ordered two of them for the bottoms, and then used fender washers on the top since they're pricey.
 
I'll give some input since I've run both setups.

We'll start with the bad. I couldn't remove my Superflex springs fast enough! I was NOT happy in the slightest with them, and they do NOT carry the weight they claim. Others have complained about the same about the same issues. If you plan on running Superflex spring with a rear bumper, and full size carrier. You better think about running airbags with them as well.

Now I'm running 861's with Tokico's, and couldn't be happier. The Tokico's will be stiffer than the Bilstein's, but if you're carrying weight that's not a bad thing. I'm now running 861's with a rear bumper, 285/75/16 spare, fold down table, jerry can, and a custom sleeping/storage platform with no issues.

If you don't plan on running weight the Superflex will be just fine. If you plan on getting a rear bumper, and all that than get the 861's.

I've NEVER recommended the bold statements highlighted. Not sure how much your set up weighs....seems to be a LOT.

Interesting claim. Did you happen to record your before and after center hub to fender measurements?

I'm on year 3 of my superflex rear coils. Rear bumper, full spare, subwoofer, + tool box. I still have 3.5" of lift.
 

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I've NEVER recommended the bold statements highlighted. Not sure how much your set up weighs....seems to be a LOT.

Interesting claim. Did you happen to record your before and after center hub to fender measurements?

I'm on year 3 of my superflex rear coils. Rear bumper, full spare, subwoofer, + tool box. I still have 3.5" of lift.

No one said you did recommend them. I was only giving my first hand experience with both setups, and wasn't speaking on anyone's behalf.

I did, but finding think I posted them on my thread. I know the measurements are in my folder of receipts that's still back in Missouri so it'll do no good now. My rear bumper setup is right at 300lbs, and those springs were already sagging with that weight. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I'm picky as well. After loading up for trips the rear would drop drastically, and to the point where I'd hit the bumpstops if i wasn't careful.

Now that I'm carrying around 450-500lbs I had to switch to 861's, and I wish I had started with those the first time around. The 861's carry weight extremely well, and give a good ride with Bilsteins. If you pair them with the Tokico shocks it'll be a much stiffer ride.
 
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Alright, tackled this after a full work day on Saturday. What a bear.

Let me put some myths to rest: The Bilstein 5100 Series (33-187174) does fit into the VZN185 chassis. In my experience, the following adjustments are necessary:

  • If you don't already have them available, order a set of 3rd Gen 4Runner-specific centering washers. 90948-02119 Retainer, Cushion, No. 1
  • The rubber bushings that come with the 5100s are too thick, once stacked, to be able to thread on the locknut. I cut approximately 2/3rds *off* of the bushing, retaining the tapered end and faced that downwards in the mounting cup. YMMV.
  • My stack is as follows (from top-to-bottom):
    Locknut, Bilstein cupped washer, trimmed Bilstein bushing, body mount, OEM centering washer, intact Bilstein bushing, Bilstein cupped washer.

Big thanks to all that helped!
 

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