YotaTruck1986

I have a few quesitons about my suspension. (86 2WD Pickup with IFS.)

Anyway, do I use 2 shocks in the front, and 2 shocks & leaf springs in the rear? (Pictures Below) If so, could I replace these shocks with say, Bilsteins, to improve ride quality and handling performance?

Also, what is the difference between shocks and struts?

Thanks for any help!

Front Suspension:



Rear Suspension:

jimbo74

struts have a spring incorporated into the shock system and the strut is normally very high pressure gas charged

shocks can also be gas charged but only do the dampening of the vehicle, not the supporting of the moving parts, that what springs and leafs do

your truck has 4 shocks total, 2 in front, 2 in the rear

your front suspension uses torsion bars

jimbo74

http://robinhood4x4.com/suspension1.htm read this, it will explain it better

YotaTruck1986

So instead of springs in the front, the truck uses torsion bars?

Do you have any good recommendations/experience for aftermarket shocks? Will replacing shocks improve the ride quality and handling performance?

Thanks for the help.

jimbo74

i jsut used the cheapo $12 shocks on my truck..... it already rides like crap with my mud terrains and it doesnt bother me much.....


yup your truck has torsion bars... in mid 95, toyota made their little pickups with struts and no torsion bars, this was called the tacoma

YotaTruck1986

Got it, so the "springs" for my front suspension are the 2 torsion bars. When the suspension compresses, the torsion bar twists, and acts like a twisted rubber band and forces the suspension to decompress.

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

Should I replace my shocks? Will it improve my ride quality and handling performance?

Thanks.

Flamedx4

Probably. Yes, very much, if you use decent shocks. Bilstiens are excellent.

YotaTruck1986

Are shocks universal (As long as you purchase the correct length.)? Are there different types of Bilstein shocks for an 86 pickup, as in OEM, performance, etc.? Thanks.

firemedic

Especially if you still have the original shocks (likely)!

YotaTruck1986

I do .

Flamedx4

No they aren't exactly universal. You can order basic brands by just telling them the length and mounts but all the manufacturers have their shocks cataloged by application. So, if you want Ranchos, say, or Bilsteins, just tell the place you're buying them from what your ride is and they'll look up the correct part number and sell you the ones that fit. Also, with Bilsteins for example, you have a choice of shocks too, more money gets more performance, or special options like remote reservoirs on off-road shocks etc.

So you need to decide what brand you want and which product from that manufacturer you want also. Then shop for price.

YotaTruck1986

It looks like the only Bilsteins for my pickup are the "HD" Series. There are the B46-1772 (Front right & left shocks) for $60 and the B46-0257 (Rear right & left shocks) for $60. So about $120 for a set of Bilstein shocks. Thanks for help everyone.

jimbo74

that doesnt sound right..... that means each shock is $30, and you cant even get the procomp cheap ones that cheap...

YotaTruck1986

Your right, I missed the text "per shock." Each shock is $60.

Flamedx4

Even though it sounds kinda spendy, it will bring a smile to your face.
And you should never have to replace them, so it's cost effective in the long run.

YotaTruck1986

Looks like I have another pending mod! Thanks for all the help! I really appreciate you guys putting up with my lack of knowledge in this department.