I have a 2010 TE with KDSS, but otherwise stock. I just returned from a bit of 4wheeling and was very impressed. The only negative I could see (besides the horrendous stock tires) was clearance. So, my question is, who makes the stock TE shocks for Toyota and how do the compare side by side to Bilstein or Old Man Emu? With some beefier tires, I'm wondering if new shocks are really necessary?
Trail Edition Shocks
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Thai
Elite Member
I think that your shocks are made by Bilsteins, which means that they are monotubes. Any monotubes are better than OME twin-tube shocks...and from what i have heard of OME shocks, they are not particularly good. I think that the aftermarket Bilsteins are beefier than what came on your truck, despite coming from the same company.
Personally, i would just get +1 tire size. I would NOT change your shocks. Those stock Bilsteins should have no problems controlling your suspension...and very unlikely to fatigue with any off-roading that most of us (99%) do. Monotubes are excellent at getting rid of heat buildup...are fast to respond...and lasts a long time (as compared to twin-tube shocks). The only negative to monotubes is that they can be damaged easier if hit by a rock (single tube chamber) and, in aftermarket application, tends to ride stiffer. Because of the latter, i would stick with the stock Bilsteins because those were tuned specifically to the 4runner by Toyota & Bilstein engineers to provide the best ride compromise. (You can search for my name...i had aftermarket Bilsteins on my old 2002 4runner...i ditched them after 6 months in favor of stock shocks due to the rough highway ride.) YMMV.
The TE has no different shock than the SR5 and Limited does. I personally checked before I purchased mine. Thats what the dealership told me as they looked up part no's . They were all the same #.
Also the Bilsteins that come on the TT FJ and the Tundra o/r package are Bilstein branded shocks . Which means they are made to toyota's spec's not Bilsteins specs. The get put out for a bid with ride quality being the #1 factor . Aftermarket Bilsteins would be better than buying the OEM one from a Toyota dealer .
I would stay with stock shocks if they worked well for you.
Thai , What size tire can u upgrade to on the 5th gens ???? That fits in the spare location .
Also the Bilsteins that come on the TT FJ and the Tundra o/r package are Bilstein branded shocks . Which means they are made to toyota's spec's not Bilsteins specs. The get put out for a bid with ride quality being the #1 factor . Aftermarket Bilsteins would be better than buying the OEM one from a Toyota dealer .
I would stay with stock shocks if they worked well for you.
Thai , What size tire can u upgrade to on the 5th gens ???? That fits in the spare location .
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harper7
Senior Member
Been discussed before ......The stock TE and SR5 struts/shocks are made by Tokico. Welcome to TOKICO (USA), Inc.
I would go for Toytec Ultimates,Icon or Overland Warehouse suspensions to give you a 3/2 lift to get more clearance.Struts and shocks alone won't get it done.
Do some research by searching the "lifted 5ths" sticky and see what others are running. Lot's of good info there.
harper7
Senior Member
Congrats on your new TE Falls!
First Mod with a 5th!!
I read about your missing the V8. No need to worry!These dual vvt-i V6's really come to life once you get a few miles under their belts!
SR5's and TE's have the same shocks. Limited have X-Reas , whole different ballgame and kind of shock.
I have a 285/70/17 BFG up under mine for a spare with a little room left.
Anyhow, Tokico makes good quality shocks...and i would still trust them over OME!
Thai
Elite Member
I read 275 is a good small upgrade....
mgrande
New member
just to be clear, youre saying that the stock bilies are BETTER than old man emu nitrochargers? :wtf:
Thai
Elite Member
Yup...back in 2003, OME shocks did not last long nor particularly effective off-road.
Jesse1983
5th Gen Moderator
Yea, I've never heard anything like that. The billys that I replaced with ome's on my Tacoma were girlish in comparison. I've actually never heard anyone say anything remotely bad about their equipment.
Thai
Elite Member
They are "girlish" because they are monotubes...granted they are not the most "manly" monotubes around, but diameter does NOT always mean strength or effectiveness.
As for my original statement, here is JDEMELLO post on another forum:
"We install and uninstall allot of different suspension. I'm being honest when I say most people say that there OME last about 1 year they start to fade after a year. We sale both but we are honest when people buy the kits. If they are looking for a good affordable lift that will hold they over for a year and they plan to install it them selves. Then the OME is a good choice....It's what I have been told by customers that come in. They simply say that the shocks seem to have less control after about the first year. They said when they first put them on they were fine but after "about" a year they seem to fade."
When i was doing my research back in 2003, i heard more than a few who felt the same way as above. A lot of folks buy the OME suspension but then buy shocks of another brand (often time it was Bils).
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mgrande
New member
2003 is a long time ago, I have never heard anything like that in recent years. Can you provide a link that shows ARB not recommending OME?
hamiltonj2w1
New member
Thats weird because I just went to ARB's website and on the very bottom of the page they have a link to OME's new sport shocks? I have never heard anything bad about their shocks either this is probably the first. ARB 4x4 Accessories
(Edit) Right from ARB's website ARB wanted to
ensure that their shocks would deliver the longevity that their customers have become accustomed to
so they selected this feature to create the most rugged design possible.
Thai
Elite Member
Have OME done any different since 2003? I was told on FJ forum that ARB when I used to frequent there that ARB no longer recommends the HD OME setup for FJ due to shock failure. Again, I have nothing against OME, just stating what I have read/heard. You guys may want to call ARB yourself to confirm.
The guy I quoted is fairly reputable I think...and sells OME.
The guy I quoted is fairly reputable I think...and sells OME.
mgrande
New member
yes JD is very reputable, but that info is dated. OME has redone their suspension maybe twice since then. They just came out with their new sport shocks a few months back.
http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/newProductAdvice/nitroChargerSport.pdf
Thai
Elite Member
JD wrote the above quote in 2008. As for the ARB not recommending the HD setup for FJ due to shock issue, here is the thread: Busted OME Shock(s) - Page 3 - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
The above thread is fairly recent.
The new sport OME shocks look good. Not sure about their claim of superiority over monotubes...but, i am no shock expert. However, it does mention some of the weaknesses of the older OME designs in the article. Generally, if i were to lift or put on heavy armor (thus, go off-roading), then i would still prefer monotubes over twin-tube shocks due to better heat dissipation, wear, and faster dampening.
The article claims that the twin tube has a stronger body...this is true due to inherent design (twin vs. mono tube). But, to be honest, i have not heard of many stories of shock damage due to off-roading from debris hitting the shocks.
YMMV.
But, back to topic...i think that OEM Tokico shocks are just fine...they have been making Toyota shocks for a long time. Like i said above, back in 2002-2003, i actually went back to OEM shocks after having Bilsteins for 6 months. And i off-roaded fine with the stock shocks because off-roading for me is going like 5-10 mph...so, shock fade is really not an issue...and i did not have any extra armor/winch/etc. on board to really care about weight issue.
Thai
Elite Member
Well, honest question, would monotube shocks last longer under similar HD conditions? Bilsteins & Eldebrock (and most other monotube makers) advertise that monotubes can last a long time, even a lifetime. From my reading, lifetime is kinda bogus, but they do last well over 50-80k miles most of the time.
So, would it be better to use OME springs with monotubes instead of OME shocks?? (Disclaimer: i have no experience in this combo, but i see it often.)
mgrande
New member
Those shocks do last a long time, but thats because they are used on stock vehicles. Load a FJ, 4runner, or tacoma up with armor and wheel it often and see how long the stock bilies last. They would be faded in no time, and the stock coils would be shot too. There's a reason people upgrade their suspension, and there's a reason OME does so well in australia.
