TrekMasters are on...First Impression....
 

I think I'm really going to like them. I didn't get to get on the interstate this afternoon (I will tomorrow going to work), but I was on a 4 lane highway and was able to try them out. First, I stopped at Walmart though. It was unreal the difference going over the speed bumps now vs. when I had the stockies on there. I mean the truck rebounds instantly. Second, there is almost no nose dive when braking. Really cool. Third, body lean is reduced significantly when cornering. Fourth, I can still feel the bumps and stuff in the road but it is an improvement over the stockies. There's no way to make this truck ride like a car, but these struts and shocks really make it feel more solid. I'll post some more feedback after I hit the interstate tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for their advice for the last freakin year!

Matt

good review so far

I may be interested in these later-when I can scrounge up some money. Keep us updated.

BTW, did you have a shop install them or did you do it yourself?

I had a shop do it, and they strugged mightily with it. I dropped the truck off yesterday evening, so they had it to start on first thing this morning. They opened at 9:00 and I didn't pick the truck up until 4:30! They installed the shocks/struts, changed the oil, rotated the tires, did an alignment, and tightened my belts. He said the struts in the front weren't that bad, but the shocks took a while to get on. I figued it would be just the opposite. I could tell when I picked the truck up that he was pissed because he quoted me $175 to put them on and then spent about 5-6 hours installing them. It's about time I came out on the good end for once and a change. No way I would have even attempted this on my own.

Matt

I have considered doing them myself. I think I could handle the rear, but I am not too certain I want to try the front. For $175.00, I would gladly pay someone else to do it. Sounds like you got a deal. I may have to ask around and see what it would cost to have some installed. I have 126,000K on the stock shocks. I think my truck could use some new ones.

Don't even bother calling the dealer. I always use Limbaugh Toyota for my scheduled maintenance, but they wanted a fortune to put these shocks and struts on. I got them done at a Firestone Service Center that I use quite frequently.

Matt

Good to hear you like the Tokico's Matt. I heard they were too harsh to ended up going with Rancho's instead. Keep us posted!

Who did you get to put them on?

I got them put on at a Firestone Service Center.

Matt

Well, I tried them out on the interstate today. Very solid feel. Of course, I can still feel the road (potholes, expansion joints, etc) but it is noticably better. I guess it's hard to get any worse than it was before. These are not harsh by any means. Hope this helps ya'll out.

Matt

The Trek Masters are very nice shocks. Top of the line for Tokico.

I continue to be impressed. It's amazing the difference now vs. the stockies. Taking corners is a breeze. I mean significantly reduced body lean. Just wanted to keep ya'll updated...

Matt

Matt, I dont suppose your new Trek Masters helped at all with your vibration problems did it?

I wish it did, but nope.

Matt

My truck does awful on small bumps. They upset the whole truck :mad2: I really have to hold onto the wheel over little stuff like that. Big bumps arent bad, just the small ones. How did your truck handle the small bumps before and how is it now?

If you have the stock shocks: Yellow Bilsteins will make that worse, High Pressure Gas and The Trek Master should make that alot better.

Also the Old Man Emu Heavy Duty, not the comfort one, would do the same thing as the TreK Master for alot more $$$. Both of the later are low pressure gas.

Stockers are high pressure and short travel, so they can do more dampening with less travel.

Shocks will do nothing for vibrations, that is all about alignment and tire balance.

:guitar:

[QUOTE=sschaefer3]Stockers are high pressure and short travel, so they can do more dampening with less travel.QUOTE]

I thought the 4Runner stock shocks were low pressure? thats what it says on the original standard equip sheet...for a 99 anyways

Get all 3 shocks and push them down by hand on your sidewalk.

You'll see that the Old Man Emu FIRM front shock is considerably softer than the stock front shock. This is also based off of the original shocks off of Bob 98SR5's truck with who knows how many miles.

The stocks are stiff and extremely short. But not as stiff as Yellow Bilstiens. The 5150 Bilstiens on my SA 4Runner are even softer than the stock shocks.

Man, I wish I knew this before buying my Bils. Don't get me wrong; I like them but a more plush ride is also nice to have on the highways.