What's a good, affordable all-around shock?
 

Hey guys,
So I finally got an 88 22RE 4x4 ext cab long bed 5 spd DLX. Had blown head gasket and low compression on #4 cylinder so had motor completely rebuilt and new clutch put in. Getting completely overhauled AC system and having truck detailed. Next steps are windsheild, molding/trim and some new wheel bearings, ball joints and tie rod ends ETC. This truck is primarily just a run around town and to Home Depot truck. Might throw a quad in the back or maybe tow 2500 lbs at some point in its life and may do some off roading in 4wd but not too crazy. The truck is stock height/tires and I don't plan on ever being more than MAYBE a 2 inch lift years from now

I'd like to put 4 new shocks on it and have the alignment done. Any suggestions for a good set of affordable all around shocks that will go good with what the plan is for this truck?

Thanks,
Donnie

Hey Donnie,
I responded to your post because your situation seems similar to mine. ....occasional use/hauling with possibly some light off-roading and a potential suspension upgrade in the future. I have an '86 4Runner that essentially performs the same tasks (Lowes/HD runs and occasional around-town driving). I only take it out maybe every 1-2 weeks.

T4Rs suffer from rear sag. My leafs are basically kaput. I really didn't want to spend a bundle on shocks and I am not really interested in having custom leafs made right now (I want to keep the stock height and that seems the only solution). The stock shocks were blown and I needed to at least replace them. Personally, I settled on same basic Monroe shocks I sourced from a local O-Reillys auto part store. IIRC, they were about $30 each. I figured I would upgrade them once I was ready to deal with the leaf replacement and I didn't want to ruin expensive shocks in the meantime.

IMO/IME they made quite a bit of difference in the ride even with the worn rear springs. .....which I know isn't saying much since the shocks they replaced were toast (they were the originals that my Dad never replaced). It's been about two years and they are still doing fine.

KYB makes some affordable shocks that serve well for light to moderate duty.

Shop around for best prices, whatever you choose.

I think they all stink. I go through Rancho's, Pro-comps, like water Go get the real off road shocks that are rebuildable. They cost A LOT more than cheapo's up front but long haul they aew cheaper.

....for someone who is currently using their truck just for home improvement store runs and occasional light/moderate off-road, I wouldn't go overboard personally. I'm in the same boat which is one of the reasons why I went with affordable shocks.

Bilsteins

I have a stock 93 4x4 yota 4 cyl 22re engine and is th original owner. In it's life it went through the stock yota shocks, ranchos, kybs and now bilsteins oem shocks. The yotas got swapped out for the ranchos which lasted 15 years then leaked and was replaced by kybs which lasted 8 months then replaced with bilsteins which are on now. So far so good it's been 4 years and I run my truck like yours, some offroading, mostly to/from work, some errands with son to his activities, some home depot runs, etc. Good luck on your choice.