Hi- I just acquired an '87 Xtra Cab 4x4, and high on my priority list is replacement of very worn shocks. I plan on keeping this truck with stock suspension, and my use will be mild off roading on fire roads/jeep trails, around town hauling, and highway travel back-and-forth between city and country/mountains/skiing. Bilstein 4600s seems the way to go unless I'm just wasting my money ... TireRack/others sell a set of Bilsteins for about $300; looks like decent KYB/other decent make stock replacements can be had for about half that. Although current shocks are definitely worn, I want to make sure new shocks minimize bounce as much as possible. Current ride is making me seasick. I appreciate the advice.

 

I have inexpensive Gabriel Max Control 77479 up front and nicer Ranchos in the back just because I got a them at a good deal. I'm happy with both of them, and my truck has taken me to many places it's made to go to, while other trucks stayed in the garages/shops to get beautified.

 

I put on a set of the Bilstein 4600's a few months back and have no complaints. They replaced a set of Rancho RS9000's which I put 200,000 miles on. I do miss the adjust-ability of the Ranchos.

 

Thanks for the recommendations. Looking on the web, Gabriel Max Control have very good reviews, though some say a little harsh. Bilstein 4600s have uniformly great reviews. Max Controls are cheaper, at about $200/set on RockAuto. For $100 more, I'm going to go with the 4600s. (If I could find a great deal on the Max Controls, I would probably go with those instead.) Thanks again.

Update: Ordered the 4600s from TireRack. $286 total, no tax, free shipping, delivered to me tomorrow.

 

$286 for 4? Seems like a good deal!

 

I second the Ranchos. Can't go wrong with bilsteins either

 

I have the Max Controls. The Gabriel sticker was in the box and if you leave it off they look like silver Bilsteins, Mine must have been open box returns because they were $34 each on eBay and one of them was missing a bushing which I bought at Autozone for $4. They are two years old now and seem fine. The 1989 OEM shocks were still on the 4Runner when I got it. Sorry I don't have good pictures.