Looking at some replacement shocks for my 96 4x4 t100 and im thinking about these... i know the Bilstein 4600 series shock set is the best bet, but can i get some input on other shocks if anyone has gone another path.
Thinking about these.
Procomp es9000
Rancho rs 5000
Superlift Superide
Bilstein 4600 series

THANKS

 

i've heard the pro comps and superlifts ride like crap...

i've heard bilsteins are awesome lol

and i know some guys thatrun the Rancho 5000's..and they haven't ever complained lol

 

I have bilsteins on my 96 T100 4x4 and they are sweet. KYB make the oem ones that come on the T. You can get the KYB Gas A Just for a stock ride. The bilsteins are pricey compared to KYB.

 

I would say that Bilsteins are definately top of the line, and if you can splurge for them you won't regret it.

That said, I run KYB Gas a Justs on my 4Runner and pickup and like them very much. They are a high pressure monotube design with a lifetime warrenty. They suck up the big bumps, and the occasional jump, very well, but some people might find that they feel the smaller bumps too much. I like a firm ride and the fade resistance offered by the monotube design.

I am not a fan of Tennico products, the owners of the Rancho name. The RS5000's are twin tube design and are prone to fading if you woop on your truck, and up here in rust heaven VT the shafts seem to get surface rust which leads to leaking after a year or two. IMO you pay for the name with Rancho's without the performance.

I don't have any personal experience with Superlift or Procomp shocks.

 

The Rancho's have the lifetime warranty too....
I just put a complete set on my T for about $50 each.

 

I just put a set of KYB Gas-A-Justs on my 97 T100 4x4. They ride very well. The truck handles better, floats less, and tracks straight much better now, and it's even far less prone to crosswinds. I also put on a Monroe replacement steering damper. I put about 50 miles on the new shocks and really like them. I agree there may be some extra feel to the smaller bumps, but IMO the tradeoff for a much more contolled ride far outweighs any negatives (and I also like a slightly firmer ride). There is a kit on amazon through justsuspension.com for all four for $140 shipped. Great deal, and the T100s are easy setups to replace the shocks yourself. No coils! Woohoo!

The stocks were shot...both the fronts and rears would compress and expand using hand pressure. The new KYB fronts I could hardly budge by hand. I didn't test the rear KYBs, because they were compressed with a tie. I suggest installing them on the top first, then cutting the tie, and letting them expand until they reach the lower mount, and then slip them on before they expand too much. Worked like a charm. I used a large screwdriver and some help to compress the fronts enough to install the lower bolt.

Also note, the cheaper KYB GR-2/Excels are closer to the OEM shocks. The GAS-A-Justs are upgrades.

Long story short...KYB Gas-A-Just shocks are recommended. Great ride and control. Guess I need to put them on our Galant now too.

 

I've always heard Ranchos are really stiff. I have Bils on both my trucks and love em.

 

Just a follow up, the Ranchos created a very stiff ride in my T. I wouldn't recommend them. In less than a year the mount area was starting to show surface rust. I have since sold it and bought a Tundra.

 

I run the KYB gas-a-just shocks and their pretty bomb on road havent tried them off road yet, but i must say that the ride is better and it takes bumps like a champ its a major upgrade when compared to my stock 20 year old shocks haha. I havent tried any of those other brands though, my dad runs Monroe on his 4runner and their garbage he wants to get KYB's now after riding in my truck lol

 

I almost went with the Monroes (since it's not my daily driver), but went with the KYBs to avoid exactly what your dad is experiencing. I didn't want to waste the time and effort, not be happy, and have to redo it all again.

 

I dont know exactly how old this thread is, but i figured i'd throw my two cents in...

I have two brands of shocks on my t. The front, unfortunately, is running procomps. BBBBBIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGG mistake. on a wash board road, the front floats like it's sliding on ski's. on the street, you feel absolutely every bump. On the rear though, i have rancho RS5000s. I think their a really decent shock for the money, but in retrospect, i really wish i would have spent a little more for the RS9000's. the shop i work for is a rancho dealer, and we sell a ton of the 9000's. we see all different brands of shocks, and i have seen more than my fair share of people cheapin out on shocks, then comin back within a couple of months for different ones. the 9000's are by far the most popular, even at the $99 a shock price on them.

 

The date of each post is shown on the left hand side above each username.

 

lol ya, found that right after i posted...

 

So in other words the 9000's are worth the money? I'm in the process of looking for new shocks for my 95' T-3.4. Ive been between those or the superlifts. witch brings me to a question.

I have a 3.5 inch blocks under my leafs. Is the lift in the front controlled by the torsion bar or is there something i'm missing?

For example: So when I go to buy shocks can I get some that say 3-5 in lift? for front and rear?