Here’s Why Old Man Emu Shocks Are Perfect for Toyota’s Trailhunter Models
The Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner Trailhunter models have plenty of cool kit to offer, but their Old Man Emu shocks are particularly important.
The redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma debuted with a rather massive array of updates as a truly new product – and one that also marked the debut of a brand new trim level dubbed the Trailhunter. Marketed as a dedicated overlander, bringing an older concept to life and designed to capitalize on the fact that enthusiasts have shown a keen interest in that particular activity as of late. The Tacoma Trailhunter – and now, the 2025 4Runner Trailhunter – utilize an array of nifty upgrades that set them apart from the rest of their respective lineup, but one of the most important components lies underneath – a set of Old Man Emu shocks.
More specifically, those Traihunter models come equipped with Old Man Emu position sensitive 2.5-inch forged monotube shocks with rear external piggyback remote reservoirs. This setup is designed and tuned to accomplish two things, really – provide superior control off the pavement, as well as solid load carrying capability. This is important because, well, that’s precisely what overlanding entails – oftentimes, covering vast distances while also carrying all of the gear one needs to survive and be comfortable in the wilderness.
Old Man Emu has been around for quite a long time – the company’s roots were planted in Australia back in 1976 – but ARB acquired the outfit back in 1988. That unique name stems from – as one might have guessed by now – the animal of the same name, which is known for its ability to remain stable when traversing rough terrain at high speeds. Emus are also known for being quite aggressive animals – to the point where Aussies actually declared – and lost – what many refer to as the “Great Emu War” back in 1932.
Regardless, the point of that reference is to drive home the fact that Old Man Emu has created a shock that’s designed to do precisely the same thing an actual Emu can do – provide the ability to cover rough terrain without sacrificing a vehicle’s ability to carry extra weight from things like camping equipment, tools, and various other supplies. Though these things are important, overlanders also get the benefit of being able to do so more comfortably in their shiny new Trailhunter models, to boot.
These days, a lot of automakers like to slap some extra body cladding and more rugged all-terrain tires on just about anything, give it a modest suspension lift, and call it an “off-road” capable vehicle. However, in the case of the Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner Trailhunter variants, it’s clear that the automaker wanted to offer customers something that isn’t just a gussied-up model with flashy bits and pieces – rather, these vehicles are designed to do precisely what they’re marketed to do, and much of that capability comes from one place – their shocks.
Photos: Toyota
Join the YotaTech forums now!
