So with my build ive got to find a correct length but i really need to know some brands that are very reliable. I dont really like the rubber boots on them cause they tear and rot so fast but im open to suggestion


Edit: 4/11: My front ride height from fenderwell to center of hub is 23.75", rear is 22.5"

 

Bilstine 5100, but call them directly because you want the correct valving i would from experience sub-just 280 / 75 for a nice softish ride or 398/90 (ford branco/250/350) valving for hard core off roading will make the ride harsher but will handle more energy........... 4wheelparts.com can get bilstine to pull a production leanth 5100 shock and valve it to your specs of the production line, you need to contact the sale people directly............

bilsiting 4600's are nice too and are used by toyota oem............typical valving is 127/70 for '03 tundra rear which fits toyota ifs with a 4 inch lift + blazeland , ride is super soft, like driving an air matress

here is a link i found useful, when i did my 4 inch trailmaster plus 3.5 inch wider control arms ifs rig this site is a tad bit expensive for buying shocks but has a really cool cross reference system

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/bilstein_5125.cfm

I just cut the dumb rubber boots off, i live in the desert not really worried about water..................

 

Bilstein are nice and have always been reliable. My pops has them factory on his 10 or 11 tacoma trd package and they are definatly valved for offroading, pretty harsh on the road. I guess its the right timing but 4wheelparts is having deals on shocks right now! Ive got to try and get measurements this weekend so i can get some ordered.

 

i'm running pro comp es9000s. they were cheap and have held up good so far, a little over a year. not a lot of miles on them, mostly beating on it off road. it rides like you would expect a jacked up truck on 33's would

 

My front ride height from fenderwell to center of hub is 23.75", rear is 22.5".
This is with ball joint spacers up front with diff drop and 2wd leaf pack with 4wd 2nd spin added in the pack. Just looking to findout the amount of lift front and rear.

 

Stuffed the rear to get measurements.
17.5" compressed and 24" extended. Wanting to add some 5.5" - 6" shackles for the added weight of spare tire and rear bumper

 

Cheaper middleground performance - KYB.

Expensive:

Bilstein HD are firm and my favorite. Don't have any experience w/ the more expensive bilstein options but think they run a little softer for offroad applications.

Soft go w/ Ranchos...

 

I can't see spending that kind of money for just shocks, although I admit getting sucked into a $300 Marzoochi front shock for my Ritchie Ultra mountain bike back in the 90's before it broke 3 of my ribs and I gave it up as an old man Just bought shocks all around for the 91 4X4 P/U with the 3 inch Body Lift. Monroe Blue 92245 front and 92247 rear at Amazon $87.08 out the door and shipped, but I'm never getting into this like some of you folks


I'm old AND poor

 

Similar to yours, my truck rides at 22.5" on all 4 corners. Since I have OME Dakar leafs, I use OME shocks (N98 and N94, rears triangulated with ubolt flip) and OME steering stabilizer. Previous to triangulating rear shocks, they would limit droop.

 

Are the Dakars the 1.75" or 2.25" springs?

http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/ac...oyotaHiLux.pdf

OME are softer like the Ranchos, right?

I personally do most of my driving on road asphalt/concrete, so really like the firmness of bilstein HDs. They do ride a little bumpier on gravel and offroad, but I like the extra feedback as well...

OME Steering stabilizer is a must for anyone running 31"+ tires IMO. Heck of a lot better than the crap others sell.

 

mine are the medium-duty leafs, CS019R I believe. The HD leafs are really for trucks that always have a load in the back, such as a contractor carrying tools/utility bed daily or for heavy overlanding setups.

I can't comment on comparing the OME shocks to anything other than stock because I haven't tried anything else on this truck. I've had Rancho shocks on other rigs, but obviously the experience won't apply when comparing different make/models. I do know the OME shocks are recommended as the shock for OME leafs.

Most of my driving is on pavement too and I have no complaints. I did remove my front swaybar after installing the leafs to soften the ride slightly. Offroad they seem to work great and I don't really notice much fade when they're heated up. Definitely better than the shocks that were on my truck when I bought it (OEM? KYB?) I think fresh shocks in general, regardless of brand is going to be a great improvement in all situations. letting them wear out and do nothing is the issue.


here's a good source of info on OME suspension for IFS trucks: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/reviews/ome/

 

Yea the fender to hub center is the same on the rear but gotta factor in the 2wd frame section on the rear. Its mounting shocks like a 2wd

 

Finally I have searched enough and came up with some shocks I want to run. Placed the order but the rears are on a national backorder they told me. I went with Bilstein 5100 series front and rear, only because I like things to match.
With my measurements I needed a shock in the rear that would compress 17.5" and extend 24" and came across the Bilstein 24-185752 which measures 16" compressed and 26.63" extended.
The front measured with sway bar was 13.5" compressed and 14.75" extended, now this is where me wanting like parts came in so searching g for a 5100 series I found the 24-185745 which measures 11.67" compressed and 17.95" extended. I haven't measured without the swaybar but I assume they will still work. I will just need to shim or spacer the compression bump stops.