I was recently deciding which shocks to use after deciding to go with a different set of shocks. In my search I found numerous threads asking the same question but everyone is more or less based around one shock. I'm starting this thread to help narrow the searching down and give some decent reviews of the shocks I've run.

I first lifted my truck 2+ years ago with a Tundra/OME lift I put together myself. Due to money and what was available at the time I decided to go with the Tokico Trekmasters over the OME shocks. I've used the trekmasters for the last 2 years and they have been good. The firm was noticably firmer than stock but not jarring and they performed well. After 2 years now the rear shocks have blown and even though there warrantied I decided I was going to change all the shocks and try to get a smoother ride.

While searching for new shocks I decide I was either going to go with the Bilstein 5100 and try those out or I was leaning towards the OME comfort shocks mainly due to a lot of good reviews on here. After spending about 2 weeks reading and searching I finally decided I was going with the OME. I starting pricing them out and the cheapest I could get them for here (Toronto ON, Canada) was 160 per shock front or rear. That wasn't going to happen I wasn't spending 700+ on a set of shocks.

I ended up talking with Steve at sonoran steel and told me he sells his 5100 series shocks separate from his kits and I decided to go with those. I bought them about 2 months ago and I finally managed to get them on during this week. All I can say is WOW! The difference is night and day these shocks ride extremely smooth and are a big difference over the trekmasters. I mean for the price the trekmasters are great but the fronts do ride a bit stiff with the tundra springs. The rears I had no complaints about. But the Bilsteins so far have really surprised me. I haven't had the opportunity to take these off road but as soon as I do I'll report back. I have to give a shout out the Steve over at sonoran steel for all his help and answering all my questions, I'm sure I was a PITA.

For anyone looking for new shocks these are all there hyped up to be. I can'y comment on the OME's but from all the reviews here I'm sure they wouldn't be a bad choice either. Maybe someone that's run them can comment here for future on lookers. If anyone's had both the 5100 series and the OME shocks that would be an even better review.

 

5100 series
I guess they were less then $700 bucks?

 

So it would seem.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/D...k%7cAsc&page=2

 

I have always run rancho 5000's. When I did the lift on the 84, I decided I was going to splurge a little and get something nice.

The shocks I went with are the rancho 9000XL's. Getting them dialed in was a pita, but now that they are adjusted, it rides a LITTLE better. I have them dialed down to one on the front. It just still seems a little stiff. In my opinion these are too much shock for 4 cylinder trucks. I have the rancho 5000's in the rear. As always, I love them, inexpensive, durable and smooth as butter.

I have also heard great things about Bilstein. When I was choosing my shocks, I already had the lift on the front so I needed shocks asap, and Kragen could have them next day.

All in all, when it comes time to replace them, I will just warranty them, sell the new ones for cheap, and get some Bilsteins.

Just my .02

 

How much are Bilsteins?

 

See the above posting by BNB.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/D...k%7cAsc&page=2

 

Ok thanks,now,which is better Rancho or Bilstein?

 

Those aren't for a 3rd gen...I dont think.

 

my ome n91s up front and extended skyjacker nitro 8000 shocks out back seem to ride pretty good

 

Hey 96', what are the p/n's for the Blstein 5100's you have?
I personally have the OME, but am looking at converting to the Bilsteins.

 

Yes, sorry. I was just throwing out a quicky link to Bilstein shocks to show that 5100 and 5125 series shocks are not particularly expensive.

 

Personal preference, everyone will say something different. I myself prefer rancho's as I have always run the 5000's. But, next time around im going to give bilstein a shot.

 

I like my bilsteins in the back alot for slow stuff, but compared to the 2.5 SAW CO's in the front of my rig, they are bouncy as hell. But I think thats just cause there is so much travel back there and those shocks just cant handle it going 50mph+ across the desert. I will be welding in a cross member in the back of my truck to run shocks that are eye to eye instead of eye to pin, so I can more opitions of longer shocks, like FOA.

http://f-o-a.com/shop/index.php?main...products_id=17

 

I can't say enough good things about the bilsteins in my SS1.2 kits whether blitzing potholed and washboarded mains or crawling over rocks, logs, and slides.

 

Bilsteins it is!

 

not all the Bilsteins are the same. the SS1.2 kit ones are unique, the key is "valving". you're paying the higher cost for the smaller production. they look exactly identical, but the guts are completely different.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/g...11/index2.html

 

I don't have part numbers. I threw the boxes out last week and never bothered to check out the part numbers. If you really wanna go with the Bilsteins, contact Steve as Sonoran Steel. As another poster said the SonoranSteel Bilsteins are valved different and they were less then 500CDN after exchange and shipping.

 

I have been running dual rancho 5000's for 5 years now and they are good, but they are a little rough on a small truck. And I will have to buy 10 when I get ready to swap mine out this next year.

 

Great, thanks for the info.

 

Well Im not an off road driver and Im looking for comfort/stability,less bouncing.Plus I think my shocks are original equipment from 1990.