New shocks needed

jlmilligan

jlmilligan

Member
My 2003 4runner is starting to sway a little to much on the dirt roads. The washboards want to bring the back end to the front end. Any tips on the shocks would be great. This is a DD so I do not want to make it too stiff for the road.
 
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jlmilligan said:
My 2003 4runner is starting to sway a little to much on the dirt roads. The washboards want to bring the back end to the front end. Any tips on the shocks would be great. This is a DD so I do not want to make it too stiff for the road.
Click to expand...

Icon Vehicle Dynamics! Talk about smooth...

For the front:
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/prod_detail.php?productID=21&make=Toyota&model=Tacoma

And check out the home page for the FJ rear piggy back resi shocks.

This is the setup I have on my 08 4R, can't tell you how smooth it rides. It'll soak everything up on the washboards.

Here's the rear shock:
http://gallery.me.com/jbryan/100144/a 074/web.jpg

and the fronts:
http://gallery.me.com/jbryan/100144/a 068/web.jpg

I also have the IVD front upper control arms, rear lower control arms, and the rear spings.
 
JL, if you can fix it I can fly and break it:D

Tokico makes the OEM shocks. Do you want OEM style replacement? Upgrade? Do you have or want to lift?


SP Jon, those are some sweet tires:lmao: Nuthin' like some Dunglop AT20's

Seriously though, you've got a sweet setup!

:cheers:
 
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CJ3Flyr said:
SP Jon, those are some sweet tires:lmao:

Seriously though, you've got a sweet setup!



:cheers:
Click to expand...

Yeah... yeah... I know.. I'm still waiting for my wheels. I have BFG 33s sitting in my garage, but no wheels to install them on. American Racing has some serious back order issues.. I've been waiting on my wheels for about 13 or 14 weeks now.

And thanks.. it's a work in progress.. Like I said above.. I'm waiting on my wheels and I'm also waiting on my shrockworks bumper. I'll post pics once it's more complete.

EDIT: I guess complete is the wrong word for it.. when I'm done with the current "phase".. ha ha.. It's never complete is it??
 
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I would like something better than stock but am not able to shell out a grand on shocks right now. (daughter number 2 is 1 month old) which also brings up the ride. I loved the bilsteins on my taco, but that rode pretty stiff on the road. If I did any lift, it would be a 3/2 spacer kit, but that won't be for a while. I do just enough dirt road riding to want a good quality shock but I also drive from Maine to CT enough to want a good ride on the road too. My gut says just order the bilstiens, but I am worried that the road ride would be to stiff. Thanks for the info.
 
jlmilligan said:
I would like something better than stock but am not able to shell out a grand on shocks right now. (daughter number 2 is 1 month old) which also brings up the ride. I loved the bilsteins on my taco, but that rode pretty stiff on the road. If I did any lift, it would be a 3/2 spacer kit, but that won't be for a while. I do just enough dirt road riding to want a good quality shock but I also drive from Maine to CT enough to want a good ride on the road too. My gut says just order the bilstiens, but I am worried that the road ride would be to stiff. Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...

One of my fav, cheap, "slight upgrade" shock is the KYB. Scroll down a bit and the 4 shock deal seems pretty good. The other suggestion might be the Bilstien 5100 height adjustables for the front and some of the KYB's for the back... Just a thought. Look up a 2007 FJC or 4Runner to see the 5100's. They should go on your '05 just fine... http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=4468&selected_year=2005

:cheers:
 
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Not sure if available on 4th gen, but i would look into Monroe Sensatrac. All the shocks above are expensive...Sensatrac is a bit more sensible. It gives a ride very similar to stock (as i have read and been told). Or you can just get Toyota shocks again.

Any "upgraded" shocks (Bilsteins, KYB, aftermarket Tokico, etc) will likely stiffen up the ride (for good or bad depending on your needs).
 
That is another option...remember, the Bilsteins on the FJ Cruiser now (those with All-Terrain pkg and Special Edition) are the same Bilsteins that will come on the '09 4runner Trail Edition. So, you can buy those Bilsteins now...just ask for Bilsteins for the FJ.

In the past (Tacoma TRD package), Bilsteins from Toyota is different than Bilsteins aftermarket. The Taco TRD Bilsteins were thinner than the aftermarket Bils.
 
I noticed "monotube and twin tube" Is there suppose to be a significant difference in ride comfort?

Its what I read fr that link above:

Monroe Sensatrac -

"This is a twin-tube low pressure gas unit (similiar to most units that would be OE your vehicle)."


F4-BE5-C513-H0 Bilstein Toyota 4-Runner, Tacoma and FJ Cruiser -

"This is a Bilstein high pressure gas monotube performance unit."
 
Thai said:
Not sure if available on 4th gen, but i would look into Monroe Sensatrac. All the shocks above are expensive...Sensatrac is a bit more sensible. It gives a ride very similar to stock (as i have read and been told). Or you can just get Toyota shocks again.

Any "upgraded" shocks (Bilsteins, KYB, aftermarket Tokico, etc) will likely stiffen up the ride (for good or bad depending on your needs).
Click to expand...

so what's the best drop-in replacement for a non-off road 4runner 4x4 v8 limited?

i don't mind a slightly firmer ride. i take it i don't have to change out the springs/leaf springs?
 
borgzman said:
I noticed "monotube and twin tube" Is there suppose to be a significant difference in ride comfort?

Its what I read fr that link above:

Monroe Sensatrac -

"This is a twin-tube low pressure gas unit (similiar to most units that would be OE your vehicle)."


F4-BE5-C513-H0 Bilstein Toyota 4-Runner, Tacoma and FJ Cruiser -

"This is a Bilstein high pressure gas monotube performance unit."
Click to expand...

Generally speaking,

Monotubes:
good = lasts a long time (significantly longer than twin tubes), better heat dissipation (less chance of overheating & failing), less chance of foaming (gas-pressurized), quicker reaction & recovery to bumps, better handling/braking (due to stiffer ride)
bad = stiff ride, can get damage easier from debris/rocks hitting the shock because it is "one tube", costly to replace

Twin-tubes:
good = cheaper, slightly tougher due to "one tube within another tube" design, softer (comfier) ride,

bad = does not lasts as long as monotubes, not as efficient as dissipating heat, can overheat and fail with prolong continuous use, not as quick reacting, softer ride

Remember, these are generalizations. However, from my experience, i found that these generalizations for the most part hold true. Within each class, there are slight differences in the shock characteristics from brand to brand due to valving and other stuff. For example, top of the line KYB and Bilsteins are both monotubes, but KYB is stiffer than Bilsteins (from what i hear). Or take Tokico aftermarket shocks...i think that they are twin-tubes, but are stiffer than stock OEM shocks (twin tubes also).

XREAS shocks are monotubes by the way from the factory.
 
Benjamin Choi said:
so what's the best drop-in replacement for a non-off road 4runner 4x4 v8 limited?

i don't mind a slightly firmer ride. i take it i don't have to change out the springs/leaf springs?
Click to expand...

IMHO, you can't go wrong with Toyota OEM shocks if you want to preserve your current ride comfort. Remember, Toyota spent quite a bit of research dollars to dial in the 4runner's ride.

Take a look at my experience with Bilsteins on my old 3rd gen 4runner: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=343
 
Thai said:
Generally speaking,

Monotubes:
good = lasts a long time (significantly longer than twin tubes), better heat dissipation (less chance of overheating & failing), less chance of foaming (gas-pressurized), quicker reaction & recovery to bumps, better handling/braking (due to stiffer ride)
bad = stiff ride, can get damage easier from debris/rocks hitting the shock because it is "one tube", costly to replace

Twin-tubes:
good = cheaper, slightly tougher due to "one tube within another tube" design, softer (comfier) ride,

bad = does not lasts as long as monotubes, not as efficient as dissipating heat, can overheat and fail with prolong continuous use, not as quick reacting, softer ride

Remember, these are generalizations. However, from my experience, i found that these generalizations for the most part hold true. Within each class, there are slight differences in the shock characteristics from brand to brand due to valving and other stuff. For example, top of the line KYB and Bilsteins are both monotubes, but KYB is stiffer than Bilsteins (from what i hear). Or take Tokico aftermarket shocks...i think that they are twin-tubes, but are stiffer than stock OEM shocks (twin tubes also).

XREAS shocks are monotubes by the way from the factory.
Click to expand...
Thanks Thai...Its better to know those basics than sky-lifting right away. Mine is also a 2003 and I'll have those shocks and springs checked.
 
Thai said:
IMHO, you can't go wrong with Toyota OEM shocks if you want to preserve your current ride comfort. Remember, Toyota spent quite a bit of research dollars to dial in the 4runner's ride.

Take a look at my experience with Bilsteins on my old 3rd gen 4runner: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=343
Click to expand...

i don't mind a stiffer ride. just wondering what my options are instead of going with another set of OEM shocks on my non XREAS ride.

are the XREAS shocks simple drop-in replacements?
 
Benjamin Choi said:
then def don't care for it.

so what's an aftermarket drop-in replacement that's stiffer and of greater overall quality than the oem shocks?
Click to expand...

If that is what you want, then i would go with Bilsteins...proven name and well-known.
 
Thai said:
BTW, since one of Obama's close relative is an illegal immigrant, how will he deal with illegal immigrants in this country?? :confused:
Click to expand...

that's as revealing a question as someone asking you since you only own japanese/german trucks, how will you deal with American car salesman at your local watering hole?

thx for the bilstein recommendation. i have a set of adjustable coilovers made by them for my 911.
 
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