Shock absorber recommendations??

[Vincent96SR5]

Have a 96 SR5 4WD (164000); do off-road commuting primary for work. Easy terrain, mostly hard-pack dirt/gravel. Mainly a daily driver.

Previous owner never replaced the shock absorbers.

Any recommendations??

 

[01t4rnr]

Depends on what you want to spend. If you want the best, go with Bilstein- they are valved for each indivudual vehicle and being zinc plated they will not rust. Downside is they run around $75-80 ea but the blue and yellows go for around $60 ish. Im running Skyjacker Nitros and for $34/ea im very happy with them

As far as the front struts go, they are going to be more expensive but Rough Country carries what they call a Super Strut replacement for around $64/ea with lifetime warranty.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Tokicos are the stock replacement and are reasonably priced.

$209 for all 4 here and they also offer Billies @$309 for all 4.
http://www.shox.com/appguide/shoxshop/productsdisplay.php

 

[pat161]

Where as it sounds like you do a lot of forest or service roads I would definitely go for the Bilsteins. They will last a long time and will help you out going over those washboard sections of road. At 164k I would recomend looking into new springs as well, do both at once and the difference will be incredible.

 

[410toy]

shocks and struts

I have bilstein's and love them!!!!!!!!!! and I also have are rare set of coils From H&R they are progressive rate, also give my truck a one inch lift and they are tuned with the bilstein shocks for a 4runner. if you can find a set for sale I would recommend it I bought mine new from performance products for trucks. they were bought out by 4wheelparts and then discontinued. I have seen them on ebay! these are great off road sence they are progressive rate they soak up all the small bumps and have enough reserve for the big ones also the bilsteins have great damping no more boat like feel and better body control.

 

[Vincent96SR5]

The Bilsteins sound like a good deal. I will probably get them with new springs.

Can anyone recommend a decent set of springs?

I don't have the patience/time to do the job myself; going to just order them and have a shop do them. For those of you who have done this, what did you end up paying for labor costs?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Re: shocks and struts

I have bilstein's and love them!!!!!!!!!! and I also have are rare set of struts From H&R

Coils? :awais: :And yes,it sucks they were discontinued.

 

[longhaul747]

At what mileage should one expect to change shocks? I guess it really depends.

I got 111K on my 98 and I am pretty sure they are original. It feels a little boaty and unsettled on certain types of surfaces. I also tend to get a bit of sway and yawing motion when going over speed bumps and such. Never driven a 4Runner when new so I have no idea how they are supposed to be. I am guessing shocks and struts plus some suspension bushings if it has any. The steering tends to wonder a bit on roads with ruts in them. So something in the steering might need to be replaced as well. Springs might be fine for a while longer. Of coarse again it could be how it rides. Its not going to drive like a car because its not a car.

Shock upgrades are usually not that costly and considered a wear item. I know a lot people who automatically replace them after the 2nd set of tires. Bilsteins are very good and if they last longer its a better deal then a cheaper shock. Probably no more then 2 or 3 hours labor if that. Probably could get it done for $600 or less.

BTW, I would avoid shocks from Les Schwab. My folks put some on there GMC Safari they used to have. OEM shocks lasted until 80K miles. The Les Schwab specials were beyond toast after 5K miles. They replaced them for free but the replacements last the same. I think they use the cheapest shocks imaginable hoping you don't come back. After the 2nd pair were worn out they traded it. Not because of the frustration with the shocks but because the thing was a gas hog and getting worse by the month.

 

[p nut]

Can anyone recommend a decent set of springs?

I don't have the patience/time to do the job myself; going to just order them and have a shop do them. For those of you who have done this, what did you end up paying for labor costs?

If I were you, I

 

[410toy]

Yes that's what I meant to say. coils!