Worn out suspension, will new shocks be enough?

T

T4Life

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I am tired of my the suspension on my 4runner, I know that the shocks are shot and ready to be replaced.

Should I bother keeping my 11 year old coil springs and only buying new shocks? (probably tokico trekmasters) How much improvement will be made just by replacing shocks?

Has anybody done this to replace theirs with used '99 coils?
 
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Better ride with a shock replacement, but if I were you, save up some more coin and do it all at once.

I started out with just new shocks, like it for about two weeks, and then was dying for new springs.
 
Just last night I replaced my rear springs on mine with OME 906's. I couldn't get the shocks off so after the holiday I am going to cut them off and install the fronts. I have a road trip, leaving today and will have the Runner loaded up. The ride is already 2000% better.
 
Shocks are going to make a huge difference. I'm partial to Bilsteins.
Usually the rear coils have sagged to the point that the big rubber cone (jounce bumper) is going to come in contact with the lower spring seat. This will give you a harsh ride. The front coils seem to not change over the years.

A word of advise, think about if you want to lift it or just refresh the ride. (now and in the near future) You will save money to do it right the first time.
 
I'm partial to Bilsteins also. New shocks will certainly help but I would suggest doing springs too. Might as well do it right the first time. I just installed the Bilstein replacement shocks (non adjustable ones) and a set of '99 tall springs, it rides 100 x's better than it did before.
 
I installed trekmasters with the factory springs and it made a significant difference in handling. The new shocks got rid of my steering wheel shimmy that occurred after hitting any bump.

The tech that installed them would've of told me if anything was wrong with with the factory springs. As of now, I have a very comfortable and stable ride.
 
I was in the same situation earlier this year. I had the money to put in a new suspension and needed to decide if I just wanted the "refresh" or a better, higher suspension. I decided on the latter and am very glad I did! Now after also running Blistein shocks I highly recommend them as well. My only problem now is I've got the urge to go higher.... Decisions, decisions.
 
I'm in the same boat...need new shocks and rear springs are starting to sag a bit. I've decided to save as many pennies as I can and just deal with it until I can afford to replace everything and lift it.
 
collapsed coils

When your coils are collapsed,I heard you could just put a lift in and not replace,is this ok,or a bad idea.1998,stick,not 4wd.Just wondering which way is the best way to go.thanks for the hel
 
cam366 said:
When your coils are collapsed,I heard you could just put a lift in and not replace,is this ok,or a bad idea.1998,stick,not 4wd.Just wondering which way is the best way to go.thanks for the hel
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Bad idea. Just replace the springs along with the shocks, springs are cheap for the 2WD that both you and I have and the labor is about the same whether you do swap springs or stick spacers in, so you might as well.
 
I just had went through this same exercise. I replaced all the shocks (front + rear) with factory replacements. No spring replacement. I can't recall the additional cost it would've taken but I opted to not got that route and only replace the shocks. My truck rides great now. I don't know..*If* you have the extra to throw at it might as well...But I did not and everything is still fine.
 
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