Need New Shocks? How would I know?

polvadis

polvadis

New member
Today I got a chance to drive behind my 4Runner and I noticed that the car hops around a lot on just street pavement. I really didn't see the car on the lane over do as much "jumping" around as my 4Runner did.

Are my shocks getting too soft and tired? Is there some set mileage to change them by? Any recommendations for new ones, maybe something a little stiffer?

Thanks for any info.
 
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My car has 77k miles, I bought the car with 58k miles, so I would assume that I've got the stock shocks. Any way to tell?
 
If they feel worn out to you then they probably are at 77k but you might see another 10-15k before they get really bad. I replaced my '99s suspension at 96k when I aquired it and it was tired out.
I replaced both the shocks and coils (1" taller version) with OEM units since I was on a budget and yes,it was nice to have new parts underneath.
 
stock shocks are black in color. does it feel like your truck is rocking like a boat or the suspesion hits hard (bottom out) when you hit a bump. RonMAIDEN is right, but you should change it out before anything gets worse. dead shocks can lead to bent wheels from hitting pot holes to curbs and other parts getting bent.

one way to check is to push the rear or front bumper a few time and see how your truck bounce. it should be a stiff bounce. if its like jello rocking back and fourth then your shocks are dead.
 
So I assume my stock shocks are dead @ 150k. I have a 96, would the 99 springs lift me an inch. Also, how do you know which springs are the taller 99s. But I must add that I did the bumper push and it wasn't that bad.
 
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I thought I was in need of shock as well simply because I have 143k on 'em, but after getting more familiar with off roading, and all around driving in general (this being my first car and all) I've figured I don't need new shocks til they go out. My mom was the first owner, and she drove it from work and back (80 miles round trip) for 7 years. It was also our family car for road trips, and it only saw 2 trails in those 7 years and the shocks are still handling well. Ha, now a year later mom see's her old runner that she kept bone stock evolve.

anyways, I don't necessarily believe just because one has 150k miles, they are in need of new shocks, but to keep on the lookout for when they do go out for sure. And I've heard nothing but good things about Bilsteins and of course ome shocks if you're lifted. Tokico if you wanna keep it stock.
 
hey.. yeah i just wnated to say that my truck (t4r) 1996 has around 197*** and i still ahve stick shocks... never replaced and it dosnt seem like they are bad... or like jello... i work at a mechanic shop but im only 18 so still learning alot... my dad and i do go (offroading) well hunting but the roads are mostly dirt and potholes...


so what i wanted to know is wehn i replace the shocks.... wehn they do go out would it be better to give the truck a lift, i ahve kinda wanted something a little taller like a 2.5 - 3 incher... and what would be the best type of system to buy? price dosnt matter... jsut not anyhting over 2grand really? andy ideas?


and the shop i work at.. i could put them all in my self (we do have a spring compresor)
 
i've got 113k on my stock front shocks, and it rides like crap at higher speeds. i replaced the rear shocks at 105k, and that alone was a tremendous difference.

i ordered some new front shocks that i'll be changing out this weekend and i can't wait. going over speed bumps is the worst... going over them any quicker that 1 or 2 mph is bone jarring...
 
my dead shocks seems ok when it was on the truck. it was during the install of the lift, thats when i found out of my shocks was dead. it made a big different in taking turns & off/on ramp.

yes, i did drive my truck with dead shocks with the lift while waiting for my new shocks to arrive. its my DD what can i say. =)

i went with KYB and its holding up good so far for the price i paid.
 
I just bought my 2000 2wd 4runner with 63k on it. I replaced the stock shocks with KYB shocks right away and it made a huge difference in the daily driving, it corners like a champ now.

(I had a chance to ride with the previous owner and they seemed to think that speed bumps were meant to be launch ramps)
 
I have about 111 k on my 00' limited and still riding stock shocks. They don't seem too bad or I just might be used to them. I'm still willing to wait until they really bother me. Your 4runner should be good on the stock shocks for 150k easy.
 
I picked up my '02 with about 112k on it and it took me about 1k miles to realize my rears were completely toast. It would bottom out in the rear with anyone or anything in the back over big bumps. Also got LOTS of rebound in the back over any bumps. One day I sat down on the rear bumper and when i got up and turned around it bounced at least 3 times before it stopped. Yeah, they were done.
The front still felt good, but I went with Bilsteins all the way around and couldn't be happier with them.
 
That probably means that your truck was used for heavy pulling/towing. I normally don't pull anything and I had it since it was new and they still feel strong both front and rear.
 
Those of you with high miles and stock shocks are in a state of denial,
I just bought my 02 with 84k and just changing the rear shocks made a huge difference in control and ride. Yes the factory shocks may be working a little but just think of what you could have. The hitch on my truck had never been used so it had never pulled a load.
 
About how much would it cost to replace the shocks on my '98 and replace the coil with the taller ones from '99? I am a college student and i go to school in the mountains in NC and i think that new shocks would help me on the twisty roads up here. My 4runner has 154,000 miles i think, and i assume that the shocks are factory.
 
Not positive on the factory ones, but I would go with Performance Products, 300 for coils front and back and another 300 for bilstein shocks all around. Total of 600 some bucks, thats the set up I plan to go with, still going to wait a bit, only 115k on my t4r.
 
No 4Runners had Bils from the factory,they all use Tokico made shocks.

Only the TRD Tacomas had the Bils available.
 
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