Rear shock recommendations

[Bumbo]

It just wasn’t as smooth as I remember it being over bumps. In certain high speed compression examples, specially a bump in the road at speed the compression stroke feels a little chattery in the way it transfers or absorbs some of that energy…

Also, rebound feels a bit slow in some instances. If the rear encounters a bump or some sort of uneven road it feels like the rear wanted to kick out ever so slightly. Like I said it works, but it’s not as confidence inspiring as I would have hoped new shocks to be.

I will admit I have experienced a similar “chatter” from my 5100, but it was primarily over gravel roads, but I am also a bit over-sprung in terms of spring rate so I felt that may have also been a contributing factor. If not lifting, 4600 may be worth considering as well.

I certainly don’t have anything against the KYB, I am using it, I just thought it was going to be better.

 

[firebirdguy]

interesting description... i have none of that whatsoever with my front & rear KYB's, they are very smooth on highway dips that used to feel "floaty" on the worn out xreas & rough roads are as smooth as you would expect. the initial impact of something like a pot hole you can feel a little more than soft or worn factory shocks, but after that the compression or dampening seems fine & as good as one could expect from a ~$40 shock.

im sure the 5100 or 4600 are a "better" shock in many ways, but for the price & very little offroading or wheeling the kybs are a very good shock & would fit the OP's needs.

 

[hinmo24t]

i had KYB all around previously and it leveled the front (+1") and rode fantastic. amazon sells the entire kit im pretty sure for around $300

 

[Bumbo]

interesting description... i have none of that whatsoever with my front & rear KYB's, they are very smooth on highway dips that used to feel "floaty" on the worn out xreas & rough roads are as smooth as you would expect. the initial impact of something like a pot hole you can feel a little more than soft or worn factory shocks, but after that the compression or dampening seems fine & as good as one could expect from a ~$40 shock.

im sure the 5100 or 4600 are a "better" shock in many ways, but for the price & very little offroading or wheeling the kybs are a very good shock & would fit the OP's needs.

Perhaps I have some other underlying suspension problems which are presenting themselves as shock issues or maybe I just got a bad shock. Either way, for the price point, still the best option that I know of otherwise I would not have bought it.

 

[RickF]

i had KYB all around previously and it leveled the front (+1") and rode fantastic. amazon sells the entire kit im pretty sure for around $300

Wondering if you remember the kit number (or could find it in your Amazon history), I'm not sure I'm seeing what you're describing. Many thanks in advance!

 

[hinmo24t]

Wondering if you remember the kit number (or could find it in your Amazon history), I'm not sure I'm seeing what you're describing. Many thanks in advance!

well ill be damned...i dont see the kit on there now. i think it is the strut plus kit, i only see pieces sold now that would come out to $450+

i didnt buy mine off amazon, my truck came with them, but i had noticed them on there in the past.

 

[RickF]

Okay, thanks brother, appreciate your response!

 

[firebirdguy]

Wondering if you remember the kit number (or could find it in your Amazon history), I'm not sure I'm seeing what you're describing. Many thanks in advance!

cant comment on a kit amazon has, but when i bought mine a few months ago i shopped around for the best price & rock auto was the cheapest to buy them individually, plus there are 5% discount codes out there for rockauto. on top of that, KYB was offering a $60 rebate on 4 of these shocks, so all together i paid about $220 for 4. check if kyb still has the rebate.

4 kyb shocks shouldnt be anywhere near $450, at RA they are about $100ea for the fronts & about $40ea for the rear. $300ish with shipping & tax.

 

[titan34]

Order it on Amazon .

https://www.amazon.com/KYB-SR4120-S...desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=ya_aw_od_pi

https://www.amazon.com/KYB-SR4119-S...desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=ya_aw_od_pi

 

[firebirdguy]

Order it on Amazon .

https://www.amazon.com/KYB-SR4120-S...desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=ya_aw_od_pi

https://www.amazon.com/KYB-SR4119-S...desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=ya_aw_od_pi

why would you pay more at amazon for them?

#1 those are the wrong part# for 4th gen 4runners. correct part # is sr4130 & 4131 for fronts.

second, amazon wants like $116/shock for the fronts, rock auto is cheaper at $94 & $96 for fronts & $39ea for rears..... plus a 5% discount code.... & kyb still offers a rebate. RA will charge shipping but its only about $20 for all 4 shocks.

rock auto is the cheapest price out there for these kyb shocks.

 

[AuSeeker]

Order it on Amazon .

https://www.amazon.com/KYB-SR4120-S...desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=ya_aw_od_pi

https://www.amazon.com/KYB-SR4119-S...desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=ya_aw_od_pi

why would you pay more at amazon for them?

#1 those are the wrong part# for 4th gen 4runners. correct part # is sr4130 & 4131 for fronts.

second, amazon wants like $116/shock for the fronts, rock auto is cheaper at $94 & $96 for fronts & $39ea for rears..... plus a 5% discount code.... & kyb still offers a rebate. RA will charge shipping but its only about $20 for all 4 shocks.

rock auto is the cheapest price out there for these kyb shocks.

Just an FYI, these are the correct struts for a 4th gen 4runner...IF... it's for a 2WD, but not the correct struts for a 4WD as mentioned by firebirdguy.

 

[firebirdguy]

Just an FYI, these are the correct struts for a 4th gen 4runner...IF... it's for a 2WD, but not the correct struts for a 4WD as mentioned by firebirdguy.

thanks for the clarification on the 2wd vs 4wd... i lost track of the OP having 2wd this far in the thread, but RA is still the cheapest option for these shocks.

& FYI: these are not struts.

 

[AuSeeker]

thanks for the clarification on the 2wd vs 4wd... i lost track of the OP having 2wd this far in the thread, but RA is still the cheapest option for these shocks.

& FYI: these are not struts.

Hmmm, not struts you say...even Rockauto and other websites call them struts assemblies for the fronts, now the rear on the other hand they do call shocks...Hmmmm, call me confused, after close to 50 years working on motor vehicles I might be learning something new!!

From Rockauto section for the front suspension..

"4RUNNER 4.7L V8 Suspension Strut / Coil Spring / Mount Assembly"

Even KYB calls the front suspension struts and the rear suspension shocks.

They even have the "Strut Plus" for our T4R, which is the entire assembly with the spring, etc.!

KYB Americas | Catalog


I do agree with you on the best price is from Rockauto.

 

[chaz]

Shocks vs Struts vs Coilovers – Shock Surplus Shocks vs. Struts | 1A Auto YouTube

 

[firebirdguy]

Hmmm, not struts you say...even Rockauto and other websites call them struts assemblies for the fronts, now the rear on the other hand they do call shocks...Hmmmm, call me confused, after close to 50 years working on motor vehicles I might be learning something new!!

From Rockauto section for the front suspension..

"4RUNNER 4.7L V8 Suspension Strut / Coil Spring / Mount Assembly"

Even KYB calls the front suspension struts and the rear suspension shocks.

They even have the "Strut Plus" for our T4R, which is the entire assembly with the spring, etc.!

KYB Americas | Catalog


I do agree with you on the best price is from Rockauto.

yeah the shock vs strut thing is kinda confusing & the term companies use arent really accurate for all cars, the monroe "quick strut" was originally a complete strut & spring assembly that used that term, it just carried over to other vehicles since its kinda catchy.

but the basics are that a strut is a complete integral part of the suspension & steering of the vehicle... think front wheel drive cars, the strut has a bearing plate that allows the unit to be part of the steering & fully supports the weight of the vehicle, instead of using upper & lower control arms. i will let you do your own search for better explanation & terminology of struts.

what 4runners have in front are actually considered coil over shocks.

 

[Stickma2]

3rd gen 265 70r16ntires suggestion

Just purchased 3rd gen w/ 200k miles. It came with Goodyear wranglers, which are absolutely dangerous on wet pavement. Drove it 10 years ago and they were bad then too. They do give over 20 miles per gallon on highway though.
Would like to maintain AT look, good on wet, pavement, good in Wisconsin snow. Tyra has close to 50 choices. Discount tire around 100. Any suggestions?