These shocks are damaged, i need to replace them, what do you think i should replace them with?

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSCF0677.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSCF0678.jpg

I like to hear everybody's opinion.

95', 4runner, 3.0, 4x4, 3" suspension lift, moderate off-road use

 

im probably going to replace my shocks with rancho 5000's, but a lot pf people on here recomend OME's. Do a search, there are a number of shock opinion threads around

 

go with bilsteins..

 

I run Ranch 5000's and theyre decent off-road, but suck as far as ride quality on road. Also, I want something that will flex further :-)

 

What kind of money do you have to spend? Factory Tokiko's are great to me, but I dont drive on country washboards at 50 MPH.

 

OME! Great ride both on and off road.

 

RS9000x
fan freekin tastic

 

I replaced my OEMs with Bilstein H/D in 2000 with 94,000 miles on the clock. they are FANTASTIC shocks and still doing their job now with 203k on the ODO. Hard to beat. They ARE pricey, but they work really well on the bumpy stuff & last forever.

 

Thanks everybody i am gonna do some searches on all these brands and models. I will keep you posted on what I do.

 

I had rancho 5000's and I thought they had a very nice ride on and offroad. I did hit my bumpstops a LOT when I was offroad, however, so when I put my OME springs in I switched all 4 shocks to OME.

OME seem pretty harsh to me. In fact, I almost get motion-sickness when I'm driving around hitting a lot of ruts and stuff. I almost never hit the bumpstops, though, and the stability seems much improved. Since I spend a lot of time offroad (and generally very fast, I like to do 30 mph on dirt roads, logging roads, etc), OME were the best choice for myself. I figure I'll eventually get used to the ride on the highway and then I won't notice it.

I'd have to say the decision comes down to what is most important. If you want ride quality onroad then maybe rancho's and if you want capability offroad then go with OME. Just my opinion, I'm sure you'll get many others...

 

Rancho 5000s aren't bad. But they are a compromise between a full off-road shock and a highway shock, so they don't excel at either. It's just the nature of being a compromise. Nevertheless, they are a good all-around shock and are relatively inexpensive.

Your best shock choice really depends on the type of driving your rig is most likely to see.

 

I just ordered some Tokico Trek Masters off of eBay last week. They should arrive Monday. I decided to go with those instead of Bilsteins. I hear good things about the Bilsteins, but many say they are a little too firm. I mostly stay on the road so, I decided to try the Tokicos.

 

Finished installing the Tokico Trek Masters. It took me 4.5 hours to do. The rears were easy. The fronts were troublesome, but I finally figured everything out. My front shocks were definitely in need of replacement. The old ones were easy to push in. Using the spring compressor was tedious, but no big deal.

Anyway, I took it for a quick spin just to see if anything was going to fall off. The ride is much improved. It still rides like a truck, but it takes the bumps much better. My brush guard used to shake some when I hit bumps. I didn't see it move at all when I took the test drive over the familiar bumps near my house.

Overall, I'm happy with the ride quality. If I could do it again, I might have bought Bilsteins, but I don't offroad enough to put them to good use.

 

i love my ProComp 9000s i had OME befoer and they were too soft.

 

haven't decided yet but i appreciate all your help.

 

you expect Rancho to work very well because they are owned by Monroe shocks which SUCK! Rancho wont excel at either on or off road use...but for those who live with 5" deep potholes on the road every day, the are a ton better than stock, but it is true that you hit the bump stops alot. i am thinking of going either OME or Downey.

 

I have Bilsteins and I've always said you either go stock or go Bilstein.

I replaced my on the newer side OEM stock tokiko shocks with Bilstens a year and a half ago.

Bilsteins are a firmer, sportier shock that ride great on road (especially the highway) and do an excellent job of keeping your tires planted offroad. They significantly reduce body roll and they work wonders when your truck is loaded at reducing sway and the influence the load has on your handling. That in it's own makes them a safer shock to ride with. I wouldn't say they are too firm at all. Yes they are firmer than stock, but not overly jar your teeth out firm (unless you have your torsion bars cranked and heavy duty spring packs, then I could see the ride being overly firm).

If you don't go to Bilstens, then go stock. The stock shocks are excellent shocks. They have a nice soft rod and absorb bumps beautifully. They are sort of the other end of the spectrum compared to the Bilstens. The stock shocks I can compress by myself - the bilstens I can't (by hand I mean).
Also, I could be wrong but I thought if you bought OEM stock replacement shocks that you got a lifetime warranty on them from Toyota?

 

Another vote for bilsteins. They are pricey, but worth every penny.

 

Like my new Bilsteins a lot!

 

not exactly on topic, but i thought id share some interesting info. i was at work friday and the secretary had a flat, so my boss asked me to change it for him. im like sure. its a big ol suv, it'll have everything all nice and handy. it did. i pulled out the jack, which was amazing with all the extra tools. i stood up and jacked it.kinda nice. anyways, as im jacking, i realize its got some pretty long reach. 8 or so inches later, im still turnin, and its still touchin ground. stupid thing fell forever. lol. but on the point, bilstein shocks stock. if ever i get the money, thats where im headed. lol. notice the if, not the when.