Hey everyone, looking for some suspension advice for my 1987 Pickup 4WD - 110k Miles.

I'm going to tackle new rotors, drums, and calipers over the holiday when I remembered that my suspension is a bit rough and bouncy.
The truck isn't sagging, just looking for something a bit softer since I only ever have my camper and about 200lbs of extra weight. I mainly use it to commute and as my adventure/camper/fire road truck. Seems like the general idea is that Bilsteins are a bit rough so Im going with OME.
Question here is, will I run into any issues just swapping the shocks and doing the leafs in the future? My shocks are currently leaking a bit but the leafs look fine--not to mention, Im already spending quite a bit on the brake components. Im a fan of the current lift/height so Im not interested in changing that either.

I was also considering doing a ZUK mod to see if I could get things to bounce less and hopefully get some better control. Im open to any suggestions for things to look at / swap out, that might improve my commute while I have everything taken apart in the next few weeks.

PS, anyone have a reputable vendor for OME shocks? Cant seem to find the correct ones thatll fit an 87 Pickup, These look correct?
https://www.shocksurplus.com/product...-hilux-4wd-rwd
https://www.shocksurplus.com/product...-hilux-4wd-rwd

Thanks for the help!

 

Why not Bilstein?
I briefly read about the OME's on other sellers' sites. I have a feeling those are designed for trucks that have been lifted or carry heavy loads. Personally, i think they're going to be very stiff. Stiff on the back isn't as hard on the driver as the front pair, but it'll be hard on your tires,

I'd try and find an opinion in a forum by someone giving an honest assessment before buying. I'd only consider the OME's if they have a unconditional return policy in case your dissatisfied. I tried their leafsprings, getting as close to stock as I could, and hated them. Jacked up the back way too high and rode like a rock.

 

@Jimkola I've actually run bilsteins on most of my cars--I think I just wanted to try something new. Which bilsteins would you recommend on a stock suspension? Not against running them since they are cheaper but also not entirely sure which models would work if I wanted to just do shocks this time around and swap out leafs later in the year.

 

Does Rancho still make the adjustable 9000s (or is it 90000s now) shocks?

You can set the shock to your liking and/or load.............

 

I think Bilstein will only give you one choice. My 1987 took the B6-4600.
I always found most aftermarket shocks to be awfully stiff. The very fact Toyota used to install Bilstein on their higher end trucks shows that they had some level of comfort and confidence.
But again, hit the various forums and get feedback on OME. Not sure I'd trust feedback on seller's sites, forums usually give you the best unbiased info. Tacoma World could be helpful if you don't get anything here. Marlin Crawler has a semi-ok forum, but feedback is spotty, and they mostly get drivers who have done off road mods to a high degree.

 

I have the OME shocks on a stock height truck. Works just fine. Comparable to Rancho RS5000 shocks. I have never run the RS9000 shocks. I have never run the Billies on an IFS truck, I have them on my SAS'ed 4Runner but that's not an apples to apples comparison.

 

I decided to go with Brillstein's and give them a shot.

 

This^^^
Educated guess is that distance between mounting bolts of OME shock when fully compressed would be longer than bolt-to-bolt distance of non-lifted suspension, meaning:
1) Shock would limit fully-stuffed travel, and
2) Shock would be under excess stress when in (1) above.
O.P,
Double check that.