Replacing Stock Shocks

Blanco

Blanco

New member
Time to start considering replacing my stock shocks on my '99 Runner. I have the 'tall' springs and they are holding up very well with no sag but I'm starting to feel that my ride could definitely improve a bit. I don't require any more 'lift' than I already have with the stock 1" as it suits my on-road and back-country trips just fine.

Have searched around the forum and see that many here suggest replacing with the stock Toyota shocks (Tokico?) which I could do but they're not the cheapest option I've seen and Bilsteins seem to be a little pricey. I'm wondering how people rate the following as replacements (they're easily available to me here in Canada which is a plus).

Monroe Sensatrac 37157
Rancho RS5187
Skyjacker N8055

As always - all opinions and suggestions greatly appreciated.
 
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My '99 had Monroes on it when I bought it. They sucked but I don't know how old they were either. I replaced those and the stock shocks on my '97 with Bilsteins. Just the plain old Bilstein HD's and I run them with '99 Tall Springs. It rides great IMO.

Check out AJUSA.com, cheapest price on Bilsteins I could find, I bought both sets from them.
 
I know the billies are a bit more, but I think in the long run you will be happy with them. That being said, I have heard bad things about the monroes and skyjackers in our applications; IIRC the Ranchos were just ok. Again, I would hold out for the billies or buy a used set in the classifieds.
 
I have actually heard that the Monroe's are a pretty good shock and for the price difference. I have a set in my garage waiting for me to install. For major off road yah I would probably go billies but with your 1 inch lift I assume your not doing any extreme rock crawling or Baja racing. I would say a Monroe would be more than sufficient.

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Yeah, my Runner's built for weekday school drop-offs and weekend back country/camping expeditions, so no rock crawling or hard off roading for me just logging roads etc for the most part. I would definitely like to go the Bilstein HD route and will look for some deals otherwise just go with the Tokico Treks which are the Toyota stock shocks as far as I know (but correct me if I'm wrong). I'll hunt around for more reviews on the Monroes, Skyjackers and Ranchos in the meantime as well.

Thanks.
 
Blanco said:
Yeah, my Runner's built for weekday school drop-offs and weekend back country/camping expeditions, so no rock crawling or hard off roading for me just logging roads etc for the most part. I would definitely like to go the Bilstein HD route and will look for some deals otherwise just go with the Tokico Treks which are the Toyota stock shocks as far as I know (but correct me if I'm wrong). I'll hunt around for more reviews on the Monroes, Skyjackers and Ranchos in the meantime as well.

Thanks.
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The Trekmasters are said to be a small upgrade from the stock shock. They don't have a steel upper boot like the stocker so they are at least different. I don't know what you get from the dealer if you got one there today.

I'm happy with my Trekmasters but they ride harsh for a few thousand miles.
 
i have the monroes and though thery started great, began to suck ass and were dead after 40k. I've got an '01 and am going to '99 long springs and billie hd next. a bit stiffer than stock for certain, but i think the truck actually needs it.
 
makakio said:
i have the monroes and though thery started great, began to suck ass and were dead after 40k. I've got an '01 and am going to '99 long springs and billie hd next. a bit stiffer than stock for certain, but i think the truck actually needs it.[/QUOT
40-60k does sound normal for expected life. Some may go a bit further depending on use. Some people go 100k+ on stock shocks that doesnt mean their still good. Anyways I've read some billies going out at 50k. Which doesn't seem out of line. Op. I'm in the same boat where I want the billies too but with Xmas here my wallet just got a lot lighter I did see some tokicos on jcwhitney for about $200 shipped. Keep us posted.
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Sonoran Steel does the 99 springs with the Tokico Trekmasters (forget the name of the package - do a search under my username if you're interested). Relatively expensive to have them pre-build it all for you, but easy to install and if you're after a little better-than-OEM height and ride quality I'm told that's the best ticket...

I've had the billies on other SUVs in my family and they last a long, long time. It's good product IMO.
 
makakio said:
Sonoran Steel does the 99 springs with the Tokico Trekmasters (forget the name of the package - do a search under my username if you're interested). Relatively expensive to have them pre-build it all for you, but easy to install and if you're after a little better-than-OEM height and ride quality I'm told that's the best ticket...

I've had the billies on other SUVs in my family and they last a long, long time. It's good product IMO.
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Hey thanks man - will definitely look at this. I can turn a wrench on most of my vehicle, but I must admit I'm pretty green when it comes to shocks and springs etc.
 
I just looked that you have 99 talls. I think the bilsteins should be just fine. I searched for a while, the billies kept pushing me back due to price. I almost went with monroe quick struts in front and sensa trac in back. But I was to worried about quality/durability. Now that I purchased the billies I have more piece of mind.
 
Which Bilsteins match the '99 tall springs best - which ones did you go with? I will probably get my mechanic to install them - how massive of an install job is it? I don't like the idea of compressing springs and that sort of thing myself.
 
Just saw your other thread - regular Bilstein HDs. I noticed there is talk of cutting springs, is this an alternative to compressing them and is this a necessary part of the install? Told you I was a little green with this stuff : )
 
Yup I got the hd bilsteins. No you dont cut the spring. You could cut off the rear shock underside of the lower mount. The rears should be easy. The fronts you will remove the whole assembly, then compress the spring, I'm getting two compressors. Im going to my girlfriends dads house, just to be on the safe side I'm going to attach a chain to the strut and to his vice grip just in case the compressors fail, the spring won't go flying out.
 
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Blanco said:
Which Bilsteins match the '99 tall springs best - which ones did you go with? I will probably get my mechanic to install them - how massive of an install job is it? I don't like the idea of compressing springs and that sort of thing myself.
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It's not too bad of an install. Rears are very easy, fronts come out as a whole assembly. Once they're out, you could always take them to a shop to have them disassemble and assemble the fronts for you. Then you can reinstall them. If you're installing in your driveway, keep your bottle jack handy, it helps with pushing the control arms down when working on the fronts. For the rears, I stood on the brake drum to push the side down a bit more while Zack installed the springs. It helps.

All in all though it's a very doable DIY.
 
I was going replace my shocks with the billies 1500 but will the ome springs work on these shocks. Just curious? If not I'll just stick to getting the old mans.
 
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