95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

What shocks to purchase

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Old 06-05-2004 | 07:56 AM
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LCruner's Avatar
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From: Missoula, MT
Question What shocks to purchase

I have a 87 4runner with what looks to be stock shocks. I have many issues to tackle but this one is priority. I mostly drive on the road with some off road action. I'm looking for a good set of shocks, I heard Ranchos are good but is there anything better.
Old 06-05-2004 | 11:51 AM
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From: Shepherdstown WV 25443
Rancho RS 9000X

I have a full set of Rancho RS9000X 9 way adjustables and love them! I actually had the RS9000 5 ways and the bushings wore out after 75,000 miles and they replaced them with the 9000X's for free! I love them, you can crank them up and make them very firm for hauling loads or towing and you can make them very very soft for highway driving! I would have to say they are the best for the $$!
Old 06-05-2004 | 06:46 PM
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I have Pro Comp ES9000, Way too stiff
Old 06-05-2004 | 09:14 PM
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4wheelparts.com has a deal going right now for the Pro-Comp ES3000 126 for all 4 and a free steering stabilizer
http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/packa...ParentPacID=46
Old 06-05-2004 | 09:22 PM
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I have the ProComp ES3000's and I like them. I've never been a Rancho fan.
Old 06-05-2004 | 09:30 PM
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I absolutely love my Bilsteins. I have had them on my Taco TRD and now on the rear of my 4Runner. Not sure if they will fit your rig, but that is my vote.

My rear-end "wandering" on washboard dirt roads is now virtually non-existent. My rig also has a solid feel that I have never felt before.
Old 06-05-2004 | 09:45 PM
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I think for the first gens, since they are pretty light compared to the newer models, KYB is the way to go.

They are super cheap, and have a lifetime warranty. They actually added a little bit of height to my suspension as well when I installed them.

Check em out, they are GREAT. They are called KYB gas-adjust and supposidly adjust for on-road and off-road driving.
Old 06-05-2004 | 10:28 PM
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bilstein
Old 06-06-2004 | 01:06 AM
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Pro Comp Mx-6 shocks. Amazing, simply put.
Old 06-06-2004 | 01:46 PM
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I have Rancho RS9000's and can't stand them. I've never liked Rancho's Every truck I've had them on rode like crap. A buddy of mine had Trailmaster Invader SSV's and ther rode great...

Chuck
Old 06-06-2004 | 04:37 PM
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How do you think the Pro-Comp ES3000's would ride on and off road? I don't care about on-road handling, I want something soft for off-roading.
Old 07-11-2005 | 10:30 AM
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My ES300s work fine. Heck, they're way better than my stocks. Buy three, get one free...not bad. $96 for all four...not bad at all.
Old 07-11-2005 | 04:13 PM
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Skyjacker Nitros are real good too, better than the rancho 5000. Good price to $38 a piece.
Old 07-11-2005 | 09:11 PM
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Had the Rancho RS5000's on my 1st Gen - They Suck! Current shocks (front & rear) are Heckethorn from JC Whitney - have no complaints, especially for the price.
Old 07-11-2005 | 10:11 PM
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I had Bilsteins installed on my truck several weeks back. They replaced OEM Toyota shocks that I had on the truck. The OEM shocks were not shot and worked fine, it was just part of my vision of how I see my truck to have bilsteins on it as it was one of the things I wanted to do. So keep in mind that a lot of people talking about "huge ride improvements" are replacing shot shocks (in some cases) with brand new aftermarket high quality or better shocks in some cases. Well after replacing my perfectly fine in good shape OEM Toyota shocks with Bilstein HD's I noticed a marked improvement in ride quality. The best way to describe it was it firmed up the ride slightly. The trucks handling is more responsive. Body roll is no where near as noticeable and I even took a few corners at high speed purposely to test this. The thing that is most interesting is while you feel bumps a little bit more than the OEM shocks, the truck is not "phased" as much. It's like you hit the bump but it doesn't affect your steering or the straight tracking of the truck. This control is a huge benefit and something many have noted as a strong thing Bilsteins are known for. And I have found that exactly.

Another thing about the Bilsteins when I compared them to the OEM shocks I had was the build quality. The Bilsteins are built to as if they were to be bombproof. I'm really impressed with the quality of construction on top of the aesthetics these shocks offer.

As far as cost, you get what you pay for.
Old 07-12-2005 | 12:23 AM
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don't get KYB gas adjusts...I've got em in my truck and the only adjusting they do is to eliminate any dampning at all...everything in every pocket/storage space in my truck bounces out when I go over curbs, i mean speed bumps , and off road its hard to stay in your seat, my seatbelt lock things lock as soon as I leave pavement cause of the bouncing
Old 07-12-2005 | 09:40 AM
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edelbrock
Old 07-12-2005 | 10:19 AM
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From: Canada
SKYJACKER


Install
http://www.mudrunner.ca/shocks1.html

Man I get sick of these threads

Last edited by 4Hummer; 07-12-2005 at 10:20 AM.
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