New shocks for the Runner

M

mike1305

New member
So I just hit 130,000 miles a few weeks ago, and it's starting to feel like it. I've read somewhere that on 3rd gens, the shocks are to be replaced every 50,000 miles. Well regardless if the last owner did it, I've had her for over 50k and haven't changed them out. I know it's expensive and needs to be done, so I want to make sure I choose something that I won't regret whenever I get on the roads.

Besides just getting the OEM replacement, what aftermarket parts are popular for 4Runners? Also, has anyone replaced their shocks recently and want to provide insight? I'm not sure where to start on this one.

Thanks guys! :bigok:
 
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sorry no insight but i am in the same boat! thankyou for making a post in this. i just hit 100k on mine and she bounces! i dont want to hijack your thread either but just to throw it out there...i see a lift in the furture but want to play it safe for now and i anyway, am pinching pennies and trying not to go over $400 is there such a shock?
 
shocks

I installed a lift kit (Sonoran Steel 1.2), but the shocks are Bilstein 5125, and they are amazing. After the tires my truck rides ~6" higher and I can tell NO difference on the highway. The shocks and springs have great articulation, and offroad there is no better shock. If you are looking for original ride height, I would look at Sonoran's website because he has a kit for beefing up original parts.
Link to his factory suspension upgrade:

http://sonoransteel.com/store_complete_liftkits.html#System_3.0

My $0.02 is to get the most out of your vehicle and go with a high performance set of shocks and coils, but you can get the kit that will restore your ride to original height and perform well. My kit took me ~7 hours to install, but I am new to working on vehicles.
Link to his high performance kit that I installed:
http://sonoransteel.com/store_complete_liftkits.html#System_1.2

Hope that helps you at all.

Steve is the best reference I have had for 4Runner upgrades, he is a great resource.



Adam
 
Stick Figure said:
cheapest ones i've found are the tokicos, but i haven't seen any real reviews of them.
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I have had my tokicos for about 9 months now and they are very comfortable shocks at a great price!
 
bgmac said:
I have had my tokicos for about 9 months now and they are very comfortable shocks at a great price!
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Are you a 4wd or 2wd? Do you drive mainly in the city or highway? I do all on-road driving and have no real plans to make it off-road worthy besides the occasional camping trip. I want to make sure my replacement shocks are as smooth as possible on an otherwise bumpy vehicle.
 
mike1305 said:
Are you a 4wd or 2wd? Do you drive mainly in the city or highway? I do all on-road driving and have no real plans to make it off-road worthy besides the occasional camping trip. I want to make sure my replacement shocks are as smooth as possible on an otherwise bumpy vehicle.
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I have 4wd and I only drive in the city and highway. Another thing that improved my ride quality was going up a tire size.It provides more cushion. Keep in mind that its not going to ride like a caddilac just because you put some new shocks on,but it will be better than what your riding on now.
 
OEM shocks are very similar to the Tokicos and might even simply be rebadged for Toyota.

I've noticed OEM shocks and coils tire a bit closer to 100k miles and not 50k which is a bit soon.
 
If you simply want the ride back to stock then certainly go for the Tokico as they were OEM anyway. Personally I have swapped Bilsteins on my last 2 3rd gens and my Tacoma before that, and I would never even consider any other brand. The Bilsteins will stiffen the ride a bit but IMO that is a good thing, while you may feel bumps a bit more the trade off in eliminating body roll and quicker rebounding on bumpy stretches is well worth it. Bilstein will also stand behind their product and once you buy a set you will never have to pay full price for another set. If they fail you will get new ones for free, if they feel worn out they will credit you some portion of the price for a new set. I run the HD line as I only have the PP 1" springs and didn't need the longer variety. Changing the shocks alone will only do so much, the brunt of the suspension is riding on your coils.
 
pat161 said:
If you simply want the ride back to stock then certainly go for the Tokico as they were OEM anyway. Personally I have swapped Bilsteins on my last 2 3rd gens and my Tacoma before that, and I would never even consider any other brand. The Bilsteins will stiffen the ride a bit but IMO that is a good thing, while you may feel bumps a bit more the trade off in eliminating body roll and quicker rebounding on bumpy stretches is well worth it. Bilstein will also stand behind their product and once you buy a set you will never have to pay full price for another set. If they fail you will get new ones for free, if they feel worn out they will credit you some portion of the price for a new set. I run the HD line as I only have the PP 1" springs and didn't need the longer variety. Changing the shocks alone will only do so much, the brunt of the suspension is riding on your coils.
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Hey Pat, If you ever decide to sell your PP springs let me know! Thanks
 
My 4Runner has 113K and I am pretty sure the shocks are original. On smooth roads its not that bad but on freeway expansion joints and rough roads it can be a handful. I am sure being truck based its never going to be perfect but hopefully new shocks smooth things out. I am not sure if the original owner changed them out but I doubt it unless they got changed during the rear sag recall back in 2002. Not sure if shocks were a part of this recall. I doubt it!!

Since I am not looking to change springs or install a lift I am thinking of going with something as close to OEM as possible. So as mentioned here I will go with Tokico shocks.

Any online vendors?

The tire and suspension shops here will install any shock you bring in but if you don't they will sell you one of there in house brands. They tend to be junk even though they have a lifetime warranty. Great so you don't ever need to buy another shock but the problem is you will be getting them replaced every 5K miles because they suck. Went through this with my 95 GMC Safari van I used to have. I got the in house brand from Les Schwab and they were going every 5K miles. They replaced them for free no questions asked but after the 3rd time they admitted they used the cheapest shock possible. I can't remember the brand exactly "Rocky Mountain Shock Co rings a bell" and were white in color. Not worth the waste of time!!
 
give toyteclifts a call, they will have just what you want.. tell them Ric sent ya :bigok:
 
Is it that hard to replace the shocks on a T4R? Is it a do-it-yourself job, or should it be done by a proffessional? As long as you are not replacing springs or installing a lift kit.
 
Tokico's are stock from the factory. The Green trekmasters are a slight upgrade but pretty much stock. If your stock height or slightly lifted the green tokico's are excellent. I have a 2.5inch lift and have the tokicos and there good. I'd definitely recommend the tokico's. Plus they have a lifetime warranty so your set. A set can be had for 2-300bucks.
 
jspagna1 said:
Is it that hard to replace the shocks on a T4R? Is it a do-it-yourself job, or should it be done by a proffessional? As long as you are not replacing springs or installing a lift kit.
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It's not overly hard, but both the front and back have their little issues. The back is the easiest as the coil spring and shock are separate back there, so you can remove and replace the shock without touching the spring. Only issue is the top bolt on the shock is tough to get at, you really can't see it, many people just cut the old shaft of the shock and then get the bolt out.

The front is also not hard, but it is a coilover set up, meaning the shock runs inside the coil. So you need to remove the shock and coil, then compress the coil and then remove the old shock, insert the new one and reassemble. You could just remove both front assemblies and bring them to a shop with a wall mounted compressor and have them rebuild it for you. Cost should be negligible and you won't have to worry about getting hurt as the coil can pack a good kick if it somehow managed to get out of the spring compressor.
 
HERE YA GO



GU3535.jpg
 
Toytec, I need to do this for my sisters 2wd, do you have matching rears as well? Or which ones would you recommend with them?
 
pat161 said:
The front is also not hard, but it is a coilover set up, meaning the shock runs inside the coil. So you need to remove the shock and coil, then compress the coil and then remove the old shock, insert the new one and reassemble. You could just remove both front assemblies and bring them to a shop with a wall mounted compressor and have them rebuild it for you. Cost should be negligible and you won't have to worry about getting hurt as the coil can pack a good kick if it somehow managed to get out of the spring compressor. [/B]
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Completely agree with Pat. I have replaced my own in my garage. When replacing the fronts, it was like working on a ticking time bomb. I would take them to a shop to avoid the risk when I do it again. I just put on Monroe Sensatracks. The seem to do OK. My ashtray stopped rattling out on bumpy roads if thats any sort of indication.
 
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