Shocks for 1997 4runner

[bando5304]

Hello Group,
4runner newbie here, first posting. I recently bought an older 1997 4runner Sr5 5speed. It's been well maintained, however it does need new shocks, bouching all over the place, especially on dirt roads, dipping when braking, etc. I've read about Bilstein shocks, KYG, etc. Sears has quoted me a price of $625 for new Monroe Sensa trak front struts and rear shocks installed. Is this a good deal, are these good shocks?
I'd sure appreciate some advice. I'm here in Denver and I do want to do some off roading as well as city driving. Thanks in advance.

 

[BigSlim]

You will be upset with the Monro's. Stick with the Bilsteins or KYB's. I have the KYB's and love them. I haven't compared them to Bilsteins but it seems the majority of the people here really prefer the Bilsteins.

 

[bando5304]

It looks like the Bilsteins for my vehicle would be the 4600 series. I'm not planning on lifting my 4runner. What model of KYBs should I look for? Should I also replace the bushings or springs on the front end? Thanks.

 

[chadsy]

Get the KYB Monomax on both the front and back.

 

[tee-bone]

I have heard good things about the Bilsteins. I just ordered some from Tirerack. They were just under $150, shipped. I am expecting it to be a pain to remove the old shocks (due to rust and the top bolts being hard to get to) but I will save $130 over what I got quoted as the installed price. For that, it seems worth it. I will probably end up cutting the old shocks out.

You could do something similar, and find a small shop to mount your front shocks - either to do the whole thing or just to put the shocks in your springs - and save quite a bit of cash, whichever shocks you end up going with.

 

[jreask]

Hello Group,
4runner newbie here, first posting. I recently bought an older 1997 4runner Sr5 5speed. It's been well maintained, however it does need new shocks, bouching all over the place, especially on dirt roads, dipping when braking, etc. I've read about Bilstein shocks, KYG, etc. Sears has quoted me a price of $625 for new Monroe Sensa trak front struts and rear shocks installed. Is this a good deal, are these good shocks?
I'd sure appreciate some advice. I'm here in Denver and I do want to do some off roading as well as city driving. Thanks in advance.

I just bought KYB Monomax for the fronts. $54 each on Amazon. I had the local tire dealer mount them in the springs for $25. So, I had a total of about $135 in them. Easy to replace on the 4Runner. I'm getting ready to replace the rears with KYB Monomax also. They run about the same except no one to pay for mounting them inside the springs because there are no springs, they are not coilovers in the rear.

I like the fronts.

 

[shadow247]

I have a 99 Highlander, but I put Monroe Tundra Front shocks with my 99 Tall springs and the ride is great!