I'm overdue for shock replacement. I've ridden in pickups with ranchos and I don't like how stiff they are. I'm leaning toward bilsteins because of their longevity. I'd like a smooth ride which might be a lot to ask for with the 4wd's. Any recommendations? Will I be happy with bilsteins?
Thanks in advance.

 

I went with KYBs, and I'm very happy with the quality, performance and ride. They have a lifetime warranty too.

That said, I use my truck for hauling and play on a few trails, but it isn't a trail rig.

Scott

 

Why not OEM Toyota shocks? They are relatively inexpensive too and last a long time.

 

Is this for a stock height truck? The Gabriel gas a-just are pretty good and not too expensive.

How old are your springs/bushings? If the springs are whooped, they could be causing a lot of the harsh ride, new shocks will only help so much.

 

They seem to last a 100k. Would I get them from the dealerships or are there better stores for oem?

 

I had Ranchos from 1993 - 2010 until they leaked. Replaced them with KYB Monotubes 2010-2014 until they leaked. Replaced them with Bilstein 2014 - ?

 

It's stock. it's got 240k miles on it and I'm planning on getting tierods and bushings replaced. Didn't consider the torsion bars--they're original. I didn't know torsion bars wear out enough to give a harsher ride. I have idler arm replaced 5-10k miles back and steering rod (not sure of the part name) was replaced 7 years back on recall.

Anything else I should replace to get it feeling new again?
Thanks!

 

I'm leaning toward Bilsteins but afraid they'll be too stiff. Can you compare the three?

 

Pro comp 9000 that's what I run. Very good shock for the price and the ride is very smooth till I hit the trails them they stiffing up. Very happy with them in my 94 runner

 

For torsion bars just do a crank on them to get the harsh jounce out

 

KYBs were a little softer than Ranchos. Haven't installed the Bilsteins yet but its in my 2014 Tacoma and the ride is bouncy, on the stiff side.

 

Been using Bilsteins on my 94 for a few years and am very happy. Berfore that, I had some other brand of shocks the previous owner had installed that were relatively new, but very stiff. The old shocks were KYBs, I believe. Couldn't sell them on Craigslist, so dropped them off at the local recycler.

 

I would get them online as the dealership would be more expensive. This is where I bought mine, but there are other OEM stores as well:

https://www.1sttoyotaparts.com/oempartscat.html

 

I was talking about your leaf springs and leaf spring bushings in the rear.

Your t bars are fine, if anything they get softer as they wear. Control arm bushings may need to be replaced through.