Strut replacement advise?

[swampy_swimmer]

Hello, I have 2002 4wd Sport Edition SR5 4Runner that I want to put new struts on, and need an advise: I've been reading a lot of reviews on different brand shocks and I narrowed down to Tokico Treckmaster; Billstein HD and Toyota OEM.
I just replaced my rear OEM with Tokicos Treckmasters and I must say I didn't feel much of a difference, however my wife did (she usually sits in the back with the baby). She says that damping is much softer then before.
I don't do real hard core off roading, but I do fair amount of dirt road and beach/sand driving. So I wouldn't need really stiff shocks, some of the Billy HD reveiws say that they ride really comfortably despite the fact they called Heavy Duty, another say that they're really stiff... I'm a bit lost in reading so I'm asking you for an advise and opinion.

Thanks a lot.

Everything is stock on my truck, i didn't lift it, it still has original coil springs and stock size brand new tires.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I run Bilstein HD's. I like them a lot, they are a little stiffer than stock but it's not a harsh ride by any means.

 

[HCurphy]

I run Bilstein HD's. I like them a lot, they are a little stiffer than stock but it's not a harsh ride by any means.

I was going to just quote this without an explanation, but I agree 100%. One of the best things I've done to my runner.

 

[swampy_swimmer]

Thank you gent's. That might help with the descision.
Btw, I won't have any problems running tokicos in the rear and billsteins HD in the front right??

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Nope, you'd be okay.

 

[bitchaaz]

FWIW. I run Tokico trekmaster on rear and front with '99 springs, and although I noticed a slight improvement, my wife can't believe what a drastic change for the better the ride has become. She loves driving my truck because its not "rough" anymore like it used to be.
Granted I had 140k miles on the stock 2002 stuff.

 

[swampy_swimmer]

*****aaz, did you install '99 springs at the same time when you put tokicos or earlier?

 

[bitchaaz]

The '99 springs had about 80k miles on them from the guy I got them from. I forget who it was, but it was from yotatech. When the shocks/struts came in, thats when i put everything on at the same time. '99 springs w/80k miles, PP springs with 50k miles and brand new tokico's. Couldn't be happier with my set up. It even raised my truck up about 1 1/2" from stock (for the 2002). Clearly my stock suspension next stop was going to be in a 30 yard roll off dumpster at work. My buddy's taco with Bilsteins HD rides too rough for my liking. To each their own.


Did any of that answer your question? Or did I just confuse your decision making even more..

 

[swampy_swimmer]

Yeah, it kind of confused me again... I might be going with just stock struts :redbrick: