Why are OEM shocks no good?

[jonb2]

Hi. Looking to replace our shocks in 2007 4runner and considering going back to stock oem toyota shocks front and back with probably 2.5" top spacer lift.

When we purchased the vehicle used, it had really worn out shocks. For those who switched shocks, what are some of the pros and cons of using Toyota oem shocks as replacements ? How is the ride comfort and handling ?

Our main goal is comfortable onroad ride with very little offroad use. thanks!

 

[Atlanta_man]

The dealer quoted labor charge for FRONT shocks gave me heart flutter.

Youtube shows it can be done with a floor jack in under 30 min per side.

 

[MACT4R]

Hi. Looking to replace our shocks in 2007 4runner and considering going back to stock oem toyota shocks front and back with probably 2.5" top spacer lift.

When we purchased the vehicle used, it had really worn out shocks. For those who switched shocks, what are some of the pros and cons of using Toyota oem shocks as replacements ? How is the ride comfort and handling ?

Our main goal is comfortable onroad ride with very little offroad use. thanks!

You can't go wrong with Toyota oem shocks and struts. They're tokico shocks which are great shocks especially onroad. They're fine for offroad as well, fire roads, nothing crazy. You can also go with bilstein 5100 all around and rides smooth onroad as well. It can also take a lot of offroad abuse.

The dealer quoted labor charge for FRONT shocks gave me heart flutter.

Youtube shows it can be done with a floor jack in under 30 min per side.

Yep! Not hard at all, just take your time. I was a noobie and nervous about working on my rig but it's the best way to get to know your rig and learn. Now I've changed all four suspension components, brakes, wheel hub, cv axles, starter, change engine/dif oils, radiator, added trans cooler, dual battery mod etc. It's fun and cheaper way to go than the stealership.

 

[jonb2]

Great thanks for the replies. Yes I will be doing all the work myself so labor is not an issue.

Really just need opinions on ride quality (firmness, handling) of Toyota oem shocks considering we will be driving 95% of time on city streets and L.A. freeways. When we purchased 4runner it had really worn out shocks so we don't know how brand new oem shocks ride. thanks!

 

[riceandpho]

i would just get the bilstien 5100 and not use the spacer. you can still achieve a lift with those in the front. how about the springs? pretty sure they have sagged some, you can get moogs for a fj cruiser at rockauto for 110 i think shipped to you. thats all 4 aftermarket springs.

 

[fayewong]

i would just get the bilstien 5100 and not use the spacer. you can still achieve a lift with those in the front. how about the springs? pretty sure they have sagged some, you can get moogs for a fj cruiser at rockauto for 110 i think shipped to you. thats all 4 aftermarket springs.

i think he was looking for a smooth ride, not a stiff ride. I am pretty confused why people put the FJ cruiser coils in there in the first place. Its good for offroading to lift the 4runner so it can take the abuse from the uneven dirt paths, maybe handling in some cases , but may lose handling in other places too because of the center of gravity/aerodynamics. It seems pointless as a daily driver slapping those Moogs on, only to be more masculine on the road with a taller vehicle. ( would be easy to change the oil or just checking under the car)

Imagine hitting a pothole with those stiff coils. Going to be a very bumpy ride.


Did i miss something? please let me know so I might consider changing too if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

 

[riceandpho]

i think he was looking for a smooth ride, not a stiff ride. I am pretty confused why people put the FJ cruiser coils in there in the first place. Its good for offroading to lift the 4runner so it can take the abuse from the uneven dirt paths, maybe handling in some cases , but may lose handling in other places too because of the center of gravity/aerodynamics. It seems pointless as a daily driver slapping those Moogs on, only to be more masculine on the road with a taller vehicle. ( would be easy to change the oil or just checking under the car)

Imagine hitting a pothole with those stiff coils. Going to be a very bumpy ride.


Did i miss something? please let me know so I might consider changing too if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

even the 4600 is cheap now a days, i would change the springs, you can do the fj one or 4runner one, since everything is apart, why not upgrade? i was in the same boat, x reas was good, but its was cheap to do all 4 shocks at 360 out the door, and new springs for 110, truck is 10 years old now and had over 163k on stock suspension parts.

 

[bassmacka]

OEM shocks are mushy and you will roll much easier .

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[jonb2]

Thanks for the responses again. Really looking for opinions for those who currently/previously ran the stock oem Toyota shocks of how they ride (handling, firmness, body roll). Vehicle will be driven 95% on city streets and freeways.

 

[catfishbirddog]

Thanks for the responses again. Really looking for opinions for those who currently/previously ran the stock oem Toyota shocks of how they ride (handling, firmness, body roll). Vehicle will be driven 95% on city streets and freeways.

DO you have XREAS (hydraulic lines linking DS front to PS rear shocks and visa-versa)? If so, may want to search for if anyone's been able to replace those shocks themselves. I haven't seen threads on it but I haven't looked.

I just removed mine and when you disconnect the lines to the front shocks, they spray out hydraulic (I assume) fluid, so if you were to reattach a new XREAS shock, you'd need to re-pressurize and add new fluid.

Assuming you don't, since you're going for a small lift anyway I'd guess you could get nice comfort/softer aftermarket shocks and springs for same cost as stock shocks and spacers. I'm only a week into OME (not OEM) shocks and springs (885 front - stiffer for V8 and 895 rear) and it's pretty stiff, much more truck-like but I personally like it. Got a few new rattles to look for and button down but yeah it's less comfortable than stock, however I love the reduced/elimnated roll on turns and dives on braking.

There are comfort aftermarket options out there is what I'm saying, think you and your wallet would be happy. Especially if you have XREAS because again that may require dealer service.

 

[Keros]

My local stealership didn't understand what XREAS was. So I couldn't even use a comparison on price of replacement.

I went with Bilstein 6112's up front, 5160's out back. Will be switching to MOOG OEM length coils (currently limping around on RAS).

They're very soft, plenty of dive on hard braking and lofts the front a bit on hard throttle application. I don't think I mind though because it ploughs through rough stuff pretty nice.

I may try changing the sway bars to calm the body roll in cornering though.

I've heard good things about the 4600 and 5100. The Billy's are great shocks for the money and are rebuildable.

 

[jrm]

Its not that there "no good"

its just that there's better out there. I 2nd the bilstein 4600 moog pair up. I think youd like it.:blah:

 

[Gdmeadors]

I replaced my shocks at 100,000 miles with Toyota OEM shocks along with all new hardware. The ride was slightly stiffer but in no way did my 4Runner feel mushy or unstable. Toyota engineers along with their computers designed the suspension so that it was safe and comfortable when used with factory (OEM) parts. I like the ride I get with the original shocks. I drive mostly highway with some off road trips thrown in. The ride difference between new OEM shocks VS. my old OEM shocks was not that noticeable to me. A heavier spring along with heavier duty shocks makes the ride a lot stiffer.


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[fayewong]

I replaced my shocks at 100,000 miles with Toyota OEM shocks along with all new hardware. The ride was slightly stiffer but in no way did my 4Runner feel mushy or unstable. Toyota engineers along with their computers designed the suspension so that it was safe and comfortable when used with factory (OEM) parts. I like the ride I get with the original shocks. I drive mostly highway with some off road trips thrown in. The ride difference between new OEM shocks VS. my old OEM shocks was not that noticeable to me. A heavier spring along with heavier duty shocks makes the ride a lot stiffer.


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Can you elaborate please? What brand was the struts by any chance? and To clarify, You changed the struts with OEM coils/springs. AM I correct? Need to gather data on how I am going to approach changing mine.

 

[Gdmeadors]

I used Toyota OEM PARTS. The shocks are made by Tokico. I replaced the front springs with a set of FJ Cruiser springs. Did not replace rear springs. I purchased the parts online from a Toyota dealer at a very good price as I recall. Around $500 for everything excluding the FJ springs which I purchased on Craigslist. The job is easy. It took me about an hour to do each front wheel and about 30 minutes for each rear wheel. I have no rusted parts so that made it easier.


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[2016 4Runner SR5]

I have a complete suspension off my 2016 4Runner for sale. Front shocks with springs filly assembled, rear shocks, rear springs. They have 1400 miles on them and were about 2 months old when removed. I know they will work in the 2007 with slight modification, there are a few threads here explaining how to do it. PM me if you're interested.

 

[theoutbackdream]

even the 4600 is cheap now a days, i would change the springs, you can do the fj one or 4runner one, since everything is apart, why not upgrade? i was in the same boat, x reas was good, but its was cheap to do all 4 shocks at 360 out the door, and new springs for 110, truck is 10 years old now and had over 163k on stock suspension parts.

Off topic. But how does the fj and 4runner moog springs run? Are they much stiffer than stock?

I've been thinking about getting Moogs and Bilstein 5100's....

 

[Bob22222]

Thanks for the responses again. Really looking for opinions for those who currently/previously ran the stock oem Toyota shocks of how they ride (handling, firmness, body roll). Vehicle will be driven 95% on city streets and freeways.

Why don't you ask Toyota Engineering for an answer? Oh, I know people here are way smarter when it comes to designing a 4Runner suspension. LOL

 

[riceandpho]

Off topic. But how does the fj and 4runner moog springs run? Are they much stiffer than stock?

I've been thinking about getting Moogs and Bilstein 5100's....

the mooj fj springs only cost about 110 shipped to you for front and back, also give a little lift if you have sagged, the only downside is the rear springs, they dont seat well on the rear axle, but some of us just let it ride till it seats itself, some acutally heat up to stretch and seat it better. the difference between the springs rate with moog fj and moog 4runner is little bit stiffer than the oem stocks, there are numbers in the suspension faq i think. while everything is out, its a good time to upgrade and inspect other suspension parts likes bushings on the sway bar and links. most of use switch to prothane or energy bushings. u can do grease-able ones or not. i prefer doing grease-able one since you need to check up on them when they squeek. i had the non grease-able ones and regret that.

 

[theoutbackdream]

the mooj fj springs only cost about 110 shipped to you for front and back, also give a little lift if you have sagged, the only downside is the rear springs, they dont seat well on the rear axle, but some of us just let it ride till it seats itself, some acutally heat up to stretch and seat it better. the difference between the springs rate with moog fj and moog 4runner is little bit stiffer than the oem stocks, there are numbers in the suspension faq i think. while everything is out, its a good time to upgrade and inspect other suspension parts likes bushings on the sway bar and links. most of use switch to prothane or energy bushings. u can do grease-able ones or not. i prefer doing grease-able one since you need to check up on them when they squeek. i had the non grease-able ones and regret that.

Good to know. I did see the spring rate thread but I don't know how the numbers translate to real world numbers.. :/

When you say that the rears don't sit well, is this for both the fj and 4runner springs or only the fj?

Sorry for being a noob, but are the bushings your referring to the ones on the top of the struts, and sway bar end links? Is that all?