New to the forum...

I just purchased a 98 Runner 4WD w/168K (my play toy!) and it still has the original shocks! What brand offers the best bang for the buck? Are the Bilsteins worth 3 C notes? Also, what other mod's/impromvements should i consider? Other than a K&N air filter, everything appears to be stock.

THanks, Kyle

 

You're either going to be ignored or people will tell you to search. Please do so in the future as your type of question comes up all the time.

Bilsteins are very good and you can find them for less than $300 from ebay or other online places. If you were going to replace your springs and shocks at once, I'd recommend OME (also called Old Man Emu). There is a member here that works at a toyota parts dealer that sells these. His name is Strap22. You can try PMing if this interests you.

If you just want good replacements for OEM, you can go w/ Tokiko Trekmasters, OEM or even Monroe Sensatrac.

As far as other mods, please search.

 

for easy mods do the deckplate and isr mod

 

This topic was just asked a week ago...
https://www.yotatech.com/search.php?searchid=1896359
More shock talk...
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f120/shock-recomendations-88929/

Trash that K&N filter and get a True Flow or stick with OEM.

 

diff breather mod

 

I installed Bilstein Sport shocks on my '98 Limited 4wd at ~50K miles and they transformed the handling of the truck. In particular, the rear axle stayed on the pavement in bumpy turns. If, however, your top priority is a Dream Whip ride, go somewhere else: The Bils will provide a "European" ride - firm, but not harsh.

Several year ago when I did this, the word on the web was that the TRD-marketed Bils were cheap and wimpy, so I went with Bils from (I think) shox.com. I loved them!

Good luck. Please post back, tell us what you got and how you like it.

 

i have a set of tokico trek master and the front is a lot better, but the rear is really bouncy like the stock.

this is what id try, front tokico trekmaster and rear bilsteins HD (heard theyre stiffer).

 

What do want out of your truck? If you plan to wheel it, my recommendation is to get the shocks that you need, and just wheel it. Forget any mod until you have a better idea of where you may go with the vehicle. A stock 4R will take you FAR without any tampering.

 

I had 150k+ miles on my stock shocks and struts when I replaced them with a set of Tokico Trek Masters. I like the a lot. The rebound is so much quicker than stock and they handle corners so much better than stock, yet they are not as firm as the Bilsteins. If you get Bilsteins, they will beat you to death but your truck will handle great. My vote is for the Trek Masters. I don't find the rebound too slow at all.

Matt

 

What Matt said regarding the Bilsteins... Great handling, but they'll give a full a kidney a beating on a mildly rough road at speed. I love my Bilsteins. I just watch how much coffee I drink before I drive...

 

Thanks for the advice everyone, i went with the Tokico's. They are ride much better than the worn out stock shocks/struts (which were also Tokico's). The ride is firm, but not so firm it beat's the kidney's.

Next i need to do is find me some Coils to fix the sagging rear end...any advice? Tundra or OME's?

 

Tundra's use leafs in the back...if you're not looking to lift the front, go with a set of coils from a 99 4x4...they have an extra coil wrap over 96-98 and 01-02 4runner coils...I have a used pair for 40 plus shipping

 

How used are they? How much lift can i expect them to provide? It seems like after installing the Tokiko's that the sag worsened.

How much to ship to 74021?

Thanks,
Kyle