??? Totally Confused about Strut/Shock/Spring Upgrade

[Trekerjohn]

I posted this somewhere else as a response, so I apologize if I have broken the forum rules by doing this.
While there is so much written about this issue on this and other forums, I can't find anything that fits my particular situation; and I really have no idea which way to go. I don't want to end up with a crappy ride after spending some serious $ and doing all the work.
I have a 96 4Runner Ltd. 4x4. I want to replace the struts/shocks and springs, front and back. I have found Bilstein 4600s and KYB Monomax on parts sites for my T4R and they seem ok on paper. I have not even looked at springs yet, since the forum advice about them is way over my tech-light mind.
I drive mostly on the road, but will go offroad occasionally. I take long road trips with this rig. I have successfully replaced a good portion of the front end components, including the steering rack, with the help of this forum, and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge and experience I find here.
So, now I need to decide what to buy for this next upgrade adventure.
Struts & shocks; new or used springs; made for T4R or for something else???
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Brian757]

Not quite sure what your asking...
Are you asking what the best plan of action would be for your rig at the moment? If you should go with new shocks/struts and new or used coils?
Clarify just a wee bit and we would love to help you.
If your thinking suspension upgrades/lift options, then 4runners have a large amount of options. Anywhere between Toytec lifts to Revtek lifts to Old Man Emu to BodyLifts to Bilstein 5100 with rear shock re-location/FJ Coils, ProComp 4" suspension and beyond.

 

[Dark Lord]

I'm going with the proven Tundra TRD springs/Bilstein 5100's combination. A lot of people have done the same. I don't know a whole lot about the 4600's. I believe Millerrad has the 4600's on is. I think he just found some Tundra struts at a junkyard and used those. You can check out his thread here, it might shed some light on your situation.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/113006-millerads-build-thread-gigi.html

If I were you I would go with Tundra TRD spings/Bilstein 5100's in the front. Then some sort of combination in the back that would suit your needs. How much are you looking to spend? You can find junkyard parts all over the country on this website. Great resource!

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

By the way, welcome to the forum. I'm pretty new here as well, but I lurked these forums for almost a year before I registered. I've done lots and lots of reading.....

 

[Brian757]

Also, check out my thread on my current suspension.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/119617-finally-installed-fj-coils-bilstein-5100s-d.html

I used Bilstein 5100s on the front AND rear. I used FJ Cruiser coils on the rear and love the ride. I relocated my rear shocks because the shocks are designed for Tacomas, but it worked out beautifully. Just a little fabbing.

 

[Dark Lord]

I have FJ80 7.75/7.5 wraps. I'm currently working on buying 2000-2006 Tundra TRD springs, front Bilstein 5100's, and Tokico FJ80 shocks for the rear (Part#GE4095). From my understanding this is a pretty desirable combination for the price.

 

[Trekerjohn]

So Many Choices

Not quite sure what your asking...
Are you asking what the best plan of action would be for your rig at the moment? If you should go with new shocks/struts and new or used coils?
Clarify just a wee bit and we would love to help you.
If your thinking suspension upgrades/lift options, then 4runners have a large amount of options. Anywhere between Toytec lifts to Revtek lifts to Old Man Emu to BodyLifts to Bilstein 5100 with rear shock re-location/FJ Coils, ProComp 4" suspension and beyond.

I will buy new struts/shocks. I would buy used springs if I can find what I end up wanting. I'm not interested in a lift at all, but understand that upgraded springs might raise the body up a bit, and that's just fine. It's the combinations and different choices that are confusing. For instance, I don't think 5100s are made for T4Rs. So, I would have to match them with the appropriate springs, whatever those choices might be. The mixing and matching is what is confusing to me. Hope that helps.

 

[Trekerjohn]

If I decided on TRD springs and 5100s for the front, where would be the best place to get the springs, and for what truck should I fit them? And if I did that, what would be a good choice for the back, to keep the body relatively level. Budget is not unlimited, but a good setup is worth the $ and I can do it. And I guess I would have to get new front mounts for whatever struts I buy.

 

[Dark Lord]

If I decided on TRD springs and 5100s for the front, where would be the best place to get the springs, and for what truck should I fit them? And if I did that, what would be a good choice for the back, to keep the body relatively level. Budget is not unlimited, but a good setup is worth the $ and I can do it. And I guess I would have to get new front mounts for whatever struts I buy.

Go ahead and read this for a good reference, but here's the basic outline of what to buy and where to buy it.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/101758-rickashays-ome-vs-trd-tundra-lc-review.html

Toyota Tundra TRD front springs:

2000-2006 Toyota Tundra 4x4, Off Road Package, Access Cab
TRD Tundra Coils Y/Y, Y/B
Left Coil Part Number: 48131-AF100
Right Coil Part Number: 48131-AF090

Brand new (Free shipping here): Camelback Toyota Parts

Used: Local junkyard or Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

2000-2006 Toyota Tundra Bilstein 5100's:

You can check eBay, but they're typically going to run you around $200 for the set. I was originally set on buying a set of 4 for both front and back, bu decided to go with Tokico Trekmasters for the rear as a personal preference (plus it'll save about $100). If you plan on getting coils for the rear which you probably should since you're lifting the front there are a lot of difference shocks and springs combinations.

Go ahead and read Rickashay's thread I posted above, it should give you all the information you need. It's basically been a foundation for my lift.

 

[zgensler31]

No. He doesn't want to lift, just replace some worn shocks and springs.

In that case I believe you'd want to find either some low mileage used coils and pair them possibly new shocks. I would do the bilstein HD series but I'm a fan of bilstein so I'm a little biased. Perhaps some 99 talks are in order? They are a stock height but the tallest stock height that the 4runners ever came with. Believe sonoran steel sells the 99s new but if your patient might be able to get a deal hear in the classifieds.

 

[cj80cruiser]

No. He doesn't want to lift, just replace some worn shocks and springs.

In that case I believe you'd want to find either some low mileage used coils and pair them possibly new shocks. I would do the bilstein HD series but I'm a fan of bilstein so I'm a little biased. Perhaps some 99 talks are in order? They are a stock height but the tallest stock height that the 4runners ever came with. Believe sonoran steel sells the 99s new but if your patient might be able to get a deal hear in the classifieds.

Glad you said this because all the other options I was reading were for lifts and from what I'm gathering that is not what he is looking for.

You could also try some of the online toyota parts places for the 99 4wd springs. The part numbers are listed on this site somewhere....maybe the faq's.

 

[Millerad1651]

If you don't want any lift at all, buy replacement stock springs. If a mild, 1-2" lift is ok, go with OME 880s in front and OME 906s in back. With either of these shock setups, you can use stock shocks, or upgrade to Bilstein 4600s. NathanOfSeattle just finished this setup and seems to really be happy with it.

I found a setup from a Tundra, complete with springs and stock Tundra shocks. They are Bilstein HDs, but not adjustable like the 5100s (which I will be getting soon). I have those matched with 906s in back with OME shocks.

For daily driving and the occasional offroad, I would get the 880/906 setup I mentioned, and get either the KYB or Bilstein HDs. That will be an all around good ride, and large improvement over aging stock setups.

 

[Moves2Music]

Great link info in this thread guys. I've learned a lot as I'm sure the OP has as well. Thank you

If you don't want any lift at all, buy replacement stock springs. If a mild, 1-2" lift is ok, go with OME 880s in front and OME 906s in back. With either of these shock setups, you can use stock shocks, or upgrade to Bilstein 4600s. NathanOfSeattle just finished this setup and seems to really be happy with it.

Does Nate have a pictured review of his new setup? Push him to get one going if not. I'd like to see what he says about it and what it looks like on the truck.

 

[Millerad1651]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/117972-lift-complete.html

There is also a link for the stuff he used.

 

[Trekerjohn]

This topic is not for the faint of heart

Thanks to all for the opinions and information. I have compiled about 3 pages of quotes and combinations from this forum and the links included in the posts. I need to digest this stuff now. I'm sure that there is really no way to know exactly how any front or rear combination of strut/shock and spring will act and look until you actually get it installed, and wait for it to settle, or ride with different weight loads, and on different roads. I want to install the new parts before I take off for a trip up to Olympic NP in early September. I will take before and after pix and report back when I get it all figured out. This forum is the best.

 

[THEREALTOR1]

Thanks to all for the opinions and information. I have compiled about 3 pages of quotes and combinations from this forum and the links included in the posts. I need to digest this stuff now. I'm sure that there is really no way to know exactly how any front or rear combination of strut/shock and spring will act and look until you actually get it installed, and wait for it to settle, or ride with different weight loads, and on different roads. I want to install the new parts before I take off for a trip up to Olympic NP in early September. I will take before and after pix and report back when I get it all figured out. This forum is the best.

It sounds like for the type of driving you do (long trips) you're going to want to stay as close to stock geometry as possible, otherwise your ride is going to start to suffer. If you want a little bit of lift as others have pointed out Here's a link to where you can buy brand new 99's, at a brand new price (you can get the left side part number from "Lift & FAQ" sticky thread at the top of this forum). Otherwise, I don't even know that you'll have to change your coils at all (just put on some new quality shocks/struts), but if you do decide you want to, you don't have to go 99's, you can just buy new 1996's if you want,(just get the part #'s and look them up on the link above) its going to feel tighter than what you got now, no doubt.

As far as struts/shocks. Your kyb's and monroes are basically are just factory replacement (what you'd get if you went to national shop and had new shocks/struts put on). For your driving, that might be just fine. If you want something a little more quality, step up to the bilsteins if you want, you'll pay for them, but they're nice (from what I hear). I'd call Chris here: Lift kits, Leveling Kits, Body Lift kits for trucks, Jeep & SUV's He's a member on here (01t4rnr) and I ordered my shocks/struts directly through him, and it was nice to talk to someone who's actually owned a 3rd gen, and works at a suspension shop. It was a good transaction.

Good luck.

 

[Brian757]

John, if you want new shocks/struts and springs, but do not want a lift at all, go with Monroe shocks and stuff.
MONROE SHOCKS & STRUTS :: Ride Safe with the Industry Leader of Ride Control Products
You cannot go wrong and they make their shocks to OEM standards. And you wont be risking anything because the valving will be on point as well. The ride will be much smoother and it will be what you want (An updated but not modified suspension)

For the coils, if you have the money, replace your rear coils and just have someone look over your coilover system in the front. If you dont need new coils in the front, dont change them out. Your mainly concerned on the rear end with coils.

 

[Brian757]

If I decided on TRD springs and 5100s for the front, where would be the best place to get the springs, and for what truck should I fit them? And if I did that, what would be a good choice for the back, to keep the body relatively level. Budget is not unlimited, but a good setup is worth the $ and I can do it. And I guess I would have to get new front mounts for whatever struts I buy.

Dude, if your not lifting and going offroad, this ISNT worth your $$$. Be practical on where you will be using your truck. Monroe is sold at a majority of the mechanics shops in my area, and they make them car specific. If I were you, i would take that route.

 

[Trekerjohn]

Thanks for the tips. I am leaning toward Bilstein 4600s front and back, and leaving my springs alone. My 4Runner is at a nice height for me, and it's level. I expect the 4600s might raise both ends up just a bit, and that's fine. I don't tow anything, and I don't carry a lot of weight in the back. I was under it today greasing the u-joints and taking a good look at the shocks. Looks like the rears will be fun. I'm thinking of ordering the 4600s from Shockwarehouse. It's about $310 total for all 4. That's not bad. Hope your realtor business is picking up in DE. I work for the state real estate license regulator in CA. I put the bad guys out of business. I'm always very busy. Thanks again.

 

[Trekerjohn]

John, if you want new shocks/struts and springs, but do not want a lift at all, go with Monroe shocks and stuff.
MONROE SHOCKS & STRUTS :: Ride Safe with the Industry Leader of Ride Control Products
You cannot go wrong and they make their shocks to OEM standards. And you wont be risking anything because the valving will be on point as well. The ride will be much smoother and it will be what you want (An updated but not modified suspension)

For the coils, if you have the money, replace your rear coils and just have someone look over your coilover system in the front. If you dont need new coils in the front, dont change them out. Your mainly concerned on the rear end with coils.

Thanks Brian. I would rather pay more $ and go with Bilsteins. But you are absolutely right about the coils. I only go offroad for occasional fun, or if I find something worth going offroad for on my long trips. The great majority is on paved roads. I see that you have 5100s front and back and FJ coils. Why did you choose that setup?

 

[Trekerjohn]

Finally - a photo of my 4Runner

I took this picture today so that you can see the height of the truck and how even it is front to back. After staying up again late last night reading and linking to various Google searches, and looking at online parts stores, I pulled the trigger and ordered Bilstein 4600s front and back from Shockwarehouse for $309.88. I am now thinking about buying 99 fronts and OME 906 rears to go with those pretty new Bils. What do you think those combinations would do to the height of the front and back???