With nearly a quarter of a million miles on my '97 4R 4x4, it's time to get some new shocks.

What's a good replacement? Back in the late 90's a lot of people were going with Bilsteins, but I'm sure things have changed.

What is everyone running on these days?

 

Info has grown here tremendously since '02. Hit up the search button.

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/where-buy-tokico-trekmaster-shocks-89825/

 

So, what is it about the Tokico shocks that are so good??

Ride quality/durability?

 

For stock replacements, you can go w/ Bilsteins, Tokiko Trekmasters, Monroe Sensatracs or OEM. It seems like from the posts that if you want a more street-like ride, the Monroes or Tokikos are good. If you want a stiffer but better handling truck, go w/ Bilsteins.

BTW, the Trekmasters are also supposed to be pretty good in the handling category.

 

I priced stock Toy shocks and they run about $350 for all 4 and another $300 for the install.

 

What?? Install 'em yourself.

 

Why don't you try either of these guys and see if you can get a better price on those parts:
North Ridge Toyota - Evan ( evann@northridgetoyota.com ) http://www.trdparts4u.com/ - Phil (Strap22 on Yotatech)

If you're willing to get a little dirty you can probably save the $300 install too.

 

220k, now that is IMPRESSIVE. That is ultimately my goal. I am just shy of 100k and i drive close to 20k per year...so I am not too far behind.

 

[start plug] SKYJACKER [end plug]

 

I have read that going with coilovers in the front greatly improves the handling, but they are not the best offroad if you like to go slow. But they are good if you do alot of highway driving and fast offroading.

 

I am shopping for a good set of moderatly priced shocks... KBB lists my 4Runner's value at about $7600 and I hate to dump too much coin into it especially considering my other hobby...

 

i have monroe senstracs and they ride better than stock. Of course, when i got my rig the right rear shock was dead and the front left caliper was seized so it rode like crap anyways.

funny note: my friend just got a heep grand cherokee with 169k miles on it. I was like wow theres a lot of miles on it im impressed. He was like yea the PO put in a new crate engine and tranny, complete rear axle 50k miles ago.

so 119k miles and a new drivetrain with a heep..220k miles and a new set of shocks with a yota...gotta love it.

 

The 4Runner has been a very cheap to maintain very reliable vehicle for the last 9+ years. I would have no hesitation to drive it from Louisiana to California and back tomorrow if Iwas so inclined. In fact I will be driving it from La to NM & CO and back in a week or so.

 

I recently put on a set of Tokico TrekMaster shocks. They are a big improvement over my worn out stock Tokicos. I put them on at about 145k miles. I like them. They are slightly firmer than the stock ones, but they rebound so much quicker. You hit a speed bump, you rebound quick. They are also good in the corners. I can't say that they improved the ride quality a whole lot (maybe a little, but these trucks will never ride like a car) but they are a very good shock/strut, especially for the price. There are a lot of people on here that have them and like them a lot. You can get them off Ebay for $199 plus install. I think the install cost me about $200 at a local Firestone service center.

2WD....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...spagenameZWDVW

4WD....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...spagenameZWDVW

Good Luck!

Matt

 

I changed the oem shocks on my '98 for Bilstein sport shocks at c. 50K miles. What a HUGE improvement in handling there was (the rear axle actually stayed on the ground in a bumpy turn!). The Bils firmed up the ride a bit, but not obnoxiously so. I'd do it again, faced with the need to do it again.

FWIW, the Bilstein shocks marketed by TRW were said by many on the WWW to be a lower quality shock than the Bilstein sport shocks, available from NAPA (I think) or shox.com.

BTw, I did my own. The trick part was finding a spring compressor to disassemble the fronts, which come off the truck with the concentric coil springs still attached.

Good luck.

 

I haven't put them on yet but a couple of the 4X4 mechanics out here in pick up land swear by kyb monomax shocks. They are kind of pricey tho...

 

That price includes shipping handeling. Matt, Did you also get the new bolts and everything you needed to install them? Thanks, Mike

 

tokico trekmaster rear is a bit too bouncy for me. however, the front it great.

this is my suggestion, Trekmaster front and Bilstein Rear (as heard that its stiffer). those combination, i believe, would be great. thats what ill try soon.

 

yea my trek masters were very bouncy, except mine were bouncy in the front. So I swapped those for Bilstein HD and kept the Treks in the rear (too lazy to swap).