Tokico Trekmasters. Anything else?

[nkadlac]

First off, I've done a lot of research and looking for confirmation mostly.

I have a '97 Limited, and I use it as a DD, but rarely any off-roading. Right now it jumps quite a bit on any small bump or even going over manhole covers. It bounces 2x cycles when pushing down on the rear bumper.

I noticed that my rear sag issue was fixed in 2002 (before I got the vehicle). So my car sits at a fairly stock stance. (20" front / 20.5" rear—from center hub)

I don't really need a lift, and so I think just replacing all my shocks with OEM Tokico Trekmasters is the way to go.

Is there anything else I am missing? Are springs something that should be done at the same time?

 

[nkadlac]

FYI: I decided on the Tokico because I've read that the Bill's are a bit stiffer of a ride, and not necessary for my style of driving. I decided on these instead of KYB's just due to the OEM quality of these. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks guys.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Get the adjustable Billi's that Sonoran Steel uses. Those are the ones.

They are quite soft or stiff depending on what notch you set them at.

Have you read many or all of the threads on this? Lots of info if you do a good search.

Btw I ran the Tokikos and they started leaking at about 40k miles. I now have the Billi's with a much better warranty. Neither had a superior ride but the Bs are adjustable so you get the ride you want.

 

[nkadlac]

Yes, I've done a lot of research. I can understand the warranty situation you had, but I've not heard very many negative reviews on the Tokico shocks, and the ride seems to be better suited for me.

I assume you're talking about the Bilstein 5100's? I don't mind researching that more. Thanks.

 

[Shibby!]

If talking 5100's they do not have adjustable dampening.

I have the Tundra 5100's on the front, and LC Trekmasters on the rear.

Both working well. 5100's are supposed to be "flighty" on the rear so I went with Trekmasters and they work great. Really stoked about the rear LC coils and LC dampers. I find the front TRD set-up a bit stiff with my stiff tires.

My buddy with a Tacoma had his 5100 crap out on him with 30,000k. Shit happens with every shock. The warranty costs you 30$ to inspect, coupled with CDN shipping it's not worth it and would pay for a new Trekmaster.

I have 35,000 on mine with no issues.

 

[sschaefer3]

The correct Tundra coil on a 5100 and you get a Cadillac ride. The wrong Tundra coil on a 5100 you get a horrid ride.

For example, anything from a 2005 or 2006 Tundra is going to be a horrible ride.

Anything from a access cab is not right wither.

Anything 2WD is not right either.

The right coils used are literally a needle in a haystack. So when you read threads on here, who know what coils that poster dug up.

5100's are not factory replacement shocks for a 3rd Gen 4Runner.

 

[nkadlac]

Thanks guys. I don't see anything here (or there) to dissuade me from going with Tokico shocks. I'll leave the springs in there for now since I don't have any issues in lift. I'll let you know how this works out.

 

[TheDurk]

Thanks guys. I don't see anything here (or there) to dissuade me from going with Tokico shocks. I'll leave the springs in there for now since I don't have any issues in lift. I'll let you know how this works out.

The Tokico's actually felt harsh for a few thousand miles (more than 5k). My Trekmasters are great, now that I have 10k on them. Still the original '99 tall springs. The green Trekmasters are not OEM; they are a small upgrade. They are slightly stiffer, and do not have a steel boot like the OEM black Tokicos.

 

[nkadlac]

According to shox.com—after placing an order for Tokicos—it seems that the past 8 mo or so, Tokico hasn't set up a new importer so everyone has drained their supply. They weren't able to locate any through their distributers. He gave me the Bilstein's 4600's for $10 more.

 

[Bama_Runner]

Thanks guys. I don't see anything here (or there) to dissuade me from going with Tokico shocks. I'll leave the springs in there for now since I don't have any issues in lift. I'll let you know how this works out.

You didn't specify how many miles your 4Runner has, but you may want to replace your springs if you have a lot. Mine has 200,000 on it and the first thing I did when I bought it was put new shocks on the rear. This helped the ride a little but my springs were so shot that it was sitting on the bump stops (it had the TSB done in 02 as well) and bucked whenever I hit dips because the rear was bouncing off the bump stops when the rear tried to compress. I added a 1 1/2" spacer to the rear to get it off the bump stops and it made a huge improvement until I can get a lift. I'm ordering new springs and front struts in the next couple of weeks.

 

[nkadlac]

251k. If your springs are soft, do they normally sag? Is there another way to tell if they are wiped out? I measured the distances from hub to fender, and they are precisely the same as they came from the factory, so I didn't think I would need to replace them. Maybe that's not a symptom though... For now I think I might just replace the shocks and see how that feels.

 

[nkadlac]

Well I just replaced all 4 shocks, new front/rear sway bar bushings, and two front end links (One broke off while trying to get it off). Left the original springs on, and reused the coil overs on the front. It rides fantastic!

We ONLY had to cut off 4 bolts off due to rust, so it wasn't an easy job, but it rides GREAT! Thanks for all the advice.