Well, I hear ya with the springs. My ride isn't that harsh, Its the same as I remember really. I also went and drove another 4R at a dealer a few days ago just to see if its me saying its harsh, or the vehicle actually needs springs and that one felt the same. I wouldn't mind putting a stiffer/higher spring in the rear. When I have my safari rack on the roof, it makes the rear sag. (ugly.)

I found a site where I can get all the tockico trekmasters for about $250 or so + $30 shipping. Is that a good deal?

 

try AJusa or steve Schaefer (SP?)

 

I'm in the minority here, because I don't like the Bilsteins....Not enough rebound damper for me...The vehicle doesn't have the control it used to have...especially towing. I was extremely disappointed in them...it is not the harshness...I drive a CJ-7 so I know harshness...to me it seems like jumping on a spring and not knowing how high it will launch you or where you will come down. I expected better control than the stock shocks.

I will be changing mine to Tockicos this summer.

 

Well I called my local foreign auto parts dealer, and All they sell is KYBand they said they love them. I have had a set of these in the past on an old Subaru I had back in the day, and they weren't bad. However the cost on them is more than the bilsteins.

I'm about this close to throwing my hands up and getting the Fabtech stuff.

 

I have Bilstien 5125/ 5100's on my runner, they are the BEST shock i have had on any of my 5-6 trucks. The front are the adjustable perch ones, so you can get 1-2.5" lift out of them too. The off road ride is amazing, as they are firm but not stiff. On road they are great too, but a little soft, but that is mostly due to the FJ80 springs i have in the rear. After also having Billies in my Supra, I wont put anything else in my cars/ trucks.

 

The best depends on application. for articulation to the extreme Bilstein, for desert Old Man emu. and again it depends on how they are used/abused.

 

I've got 165k miles on my 98 Runner and I'm feeling the need to replace shocks and coils. Leaning toward Tokicos or Bilsteins and stock coils. Where's the best place to buy?

 

I just picked up my Billies from autozone, and they came quick and a decent price. considering there is no shipping, and I can go in and bitch if they ever fail.

 

Where's the best place to buy factory Toyota parts, including shocks, online?

I want to buy some '99 Highlander package parts, and want to be sure I'm getting the right stuff.

 

How do Rancho's compare to Bilsteins? I'm looking at replacing my shocks and struts too. I was looking at the Rancho 5000 or 9000 series. My driving consists mainly of on road stuff at the moment, but every once in a while I like to venture off road. Living in southern michigan I don't get much opportunity to go offroad anymore... that being said, the condition of the majority of our streets and freeways out here makes Baja look like a cake walk!