Hello, I'm new. I just bought a 99 4Runner Highlander 2WD to replace my 02 WRX. figured this would be better on gas, and i can haul ass better on the rough roads i drive on when i go downhill mountain biking.

i need new rear shocks and figured i should get some aftermarket suspension instead of OEM. i dont know anything about truck/offroad parts so i came here.

i dont want it to be lifted anymore than it is. i think the stock height has more than enough clearance. but i want to be able to go over rough terrain pretty fast without hesitation.

what do you think about bilstein? don't those come on the TRD tacomas?
what about KYB? and do the stock shocks just suck? because we had to replace the rear one's on my mom's 97 4runner.

im open for suggestions.

thanks
-mario

 

the bilstiens are great.. bit pricey though..... never heard anything bad about the rancho 9000 series, they are adjustable.... the monroe sensatracs and reflexes are a good budget minded shock, good performance and good price.... from what i have heard, kybs are very responsive, and that translates to a bit harsh to some people...

 

the first company that came to mind actually was rancho. i was just looking at the rancho rs5000. comments anyone?

 

GO with the OME(old man emu) by ARB!! They rock!

 

Also, try Explorer Pro Comp ES3000(gas-charged) or ES9000(nitrogen-charged). They're pretty reasonably priced. I've been happy with the one's I've put in my Runner.

 

im looking for something that is not harsh on-road and can withstand going fast over the bumpies

 

I have the Rancho RS5000's on mine (99 limited 4x4) - don't do it! They're way to harsh, I'm going to be replacing them with OME shocks (hopefully soon).

oh, and you said the 4runner would be better on gas? how is a 2 ton truck better than a car??

 

You would be surprised. I just got rid of a 1998 Subaru Legacy (horrible on gas). My 4runner now gets better mileage than my car did. I used to work for Subaru....they all get pretty bad gas mileage since the awd system is permanently engaged.

 

ya ditto what he said. and the wrx takes 91. so im using 87 right now which is obviously cheaper. the wrx is turbo so it drinks a lot....

 

Take a look here:

http://fastq.com/~sschaefer/recommend.html

 

nice. so far everyone has said the for OEM replacement, bilstiens are the best. and are the best in general. i dont wanna lift the truck at all.

do you guys know anything about KYB?

-mario

 

I would have to recomend Bilstein. See sig...

 

Bilstein shocks are high pressure gas, Old Man Emu are low pressure gas. High pressure works better on the street, low pressure works better on the dirt.

Pick your poison, KYB has always made an excellent shock, I do not know if they are high pressure or low pressure, but can assume they would lean toward the high side.

Here is more.

http://fastq.com/~sschaefer/rear_shocks.html

 

Rancho 5000's are terrible. Absolutely terrible.

 

That is exactly where Bilstein excels, but some do consider them harsh on the street. It depends on what you are used to. I love mine and consider them to be firm and controlled for the driving I do every day. Huge improvment over stock.

 

Rancho 5000 were absolutely state of the art, hmmm, around 1982. There were one of the first gas shocks, one of the first to offer multiple valving (velocity-sensitive damping.) Nothing wrong with them, except that just about everything else on the market *today* will give you better performance. If you take a 1977 Chevy and lift it 12" with some stiff-ass leafs and put 44s on it, 8 RS5000s would be just the ticket for a low-tech ride. (Read: stiff, rough, tough and Old Skool.) LOL, just had to say it...

 

I went with bilsteins on my 99 prerunner. I think they aer very harsh on the road. Almost wish I had bought something cheaper. I was looking for a smoother ride and didn't find it.