I need to replace the shocks on my 90 4x4 extra-cab w/ 22re. I mostly drive on the road, so I'm looking for something with a decent ride. Any advice is appreciated...Wade

 

Stay away from Rancho, Edelbrock and old man emu are good i hear.

Lamm

 

I like my Ranchos. Any criteria for your opinion? I think you're going to get similar technology within any price range. You have your $40-$60 shocks, your $75-$100 shocks and then $120 and up shocks. If you're mostly on road you might want something nitrogen charged like the old man emu because that usually translates into a firmer more controlled ride.

 

mybe its because i have the 5000s, the RSX are a lot better i hear, but with HD springs and t-Bars, I hit a bump and those shocks are so stiff my roof rattles, I just wish they had a better road ride becaus the off road stiffness is overated, I don't jump my truck so I don't need it. My next set will be OME.

Lamm

 

i have heard that many think the ranchos are too stiff. i however have them in the back (helps to compensate for the sprineyness of the cruiser coils) and procomps in the front. but if you go with ranchos in the back, since the back end of a truck is much lighter than a 4Runner, you may experience the bone rattling that Lamm does.

 

Thanks for the ideas. I'm looking for something that will give me a better ride on the road, as that is where I spend 99% of my time.

 

OME....very nice on road, not too stiff and rides 100% better then stock. But kick A*% off road. Well worth the extra $$ if you can swing it.

 

I'd recommend Bilstein HD's. They are a great upgrade from stock or stock replacement type shocks, and come with a lifetime warrenty. A bit on the pricey side though...!

 

Ome!!!

 

I don't know why nobody likes Rancho... I've had the 9000's since I got my Runner (2001) and love them! They are adjustable so maybe that's why they're not too stiff for me...

 

Stay away from Gabriels. My next set will be OMEs.

 

I've heard good things about the Sensa tracs. i think they sell them at napa.

 

i used to have rancho 5000s on mine and they were WAY too stiff for me. not firm in a good way; jarring, is how i'd best describe it. at $40/shock i figured that i got what i paid for.

my edelbrock IAS performers are great. as the literature says: smooth on-road and handle off-road nicely, too. plus they're not too spendy at $70/shock. they pair well with the downey HD coils IMO

 

did you have the 5000's in the back, front, both? i have them in the back with my FJ80 coils and i think they're perfect, but the FJ coils are super soft.

 

I vote for Skyjacker Nitros, inexpensive and not stiff at all.

 

KevyWevy: i had the 5000s front and rear. i have the downey HD coils. how are the landcruiser coils, anyhow?

back in college i had a '71 fj40; i wish i had been able to just stuff that beast in a garage until i had the time and $ to fix it up. i miss it...

 

Just replaced my original yota shocks after 180K mi ( ) with Monroe Sensa-Trac (like $40 or something) ...

The new ones are VERRRY stiff, i.e. I can feel like every single pothole and lane dot now ... of course I rebuilt the entire front-end too, but I'm pretty sure the shocks are causing all my stiffness. Never thought these things would be so stiff.

 

i love how soft my fj coils are. those big speed bumps that they put in the neighborhoods usually are pretty jarring if you are goin over 15mph, but my 4Runner just floats over them.

 

Monroe Reflex;smooth ride.Too smooth,they waller like a pig in the shine.Get you some RS 9000's,they are WELL worth the extra coin!

 

Monroe Reflex are nice shocks. They have holes drilled in the piston so the shock valving gets softer the more the shock is compressed. This makes it have a smooth ride over little bumps, but it still is firm enough for off-road too.
I have the previous generation shocks (Monroe Sensa-Trac) on my '91 4Runner and it rode almost as smooth as a car.
Cap'n