out of curiosity i called my local yota dealership about new front shock absorbers and they wanted $152.11 EACH! to replace both it would be $482... these are not TRD shocks either just the basic 4x4 shocks- i assume they are tokico (sp).. what do you guys think about that price and how often do you change your front shocks? my taco has leaf springs in the rear and i dont plan on replacing those anytime soon.. the truck has 104k miles on her

 

104, i think you should be fine on shocks for a little, but depends on how hard you are on them. definately you can get some good shocks all around and springs and have them put in for that much. im talking all around!!!! so do that, go to eshocks.com (cheapest shock place) and get yourself some and get them put in. NEVER GO TO THE DEALERSHIP! unless you own a bmw or something, but then if you do, you probably have the money.

 

now those prices are much better.. anyone know the difference in ride qualitly and preference over the stock Tokico's and the Bilstein heavy duty shocks and strutts?? to me i would think the heavy duty shocks would be more stable and sway less BUT give a bumpier ride. am i correct on this?

 

You can get some Bilsteins for less than $100 each.

 

I just paid $160.00 for the front and $130.00 for the rear (Biltsein). I plan on installing the rear myself but dont feel comfortable installing the front due to the spring compressor thats needed. I would suggest ordering them on line and doing the same, its amazing how much money you'll save.

 

anyone know the difference in ride qualitly and preference over the stock Tokico's and the Bilstein heavy duty shocks and strutts?? to me i would think the heavy duty shocks would be more stable and sway less BUT give a bumpier ride. am i correct on this?


and yes buying them online will save tons of $$... the main reason why i wanted to change them is bc the factory ones that i have on now sway when turning sharp and its kinda freaky. but that could be the worn out tires i have on there too and they are hard as a rock (bf long trails with 50k+ miles on them)......... i am going to buy tires first and see what she does then. those BF's suck esp after a bunch of miles

 

You can get Tokico front struts for $47 each from Autopartswarehouse.com.

And sorry, I was look at rear shocks when I said they were less than $100.

 

those are for 2 wheel drive tacos...

 

You should not go to the dealer for any suspension products since you will lose on both money and peformance. There are many shock options in the aftermarket that will provide the performance you require for a much cheaper price. The fronts will generally be more than the rears. OME, Bilstein, Tokico, etc.so many good options.
The only "good" thing about getting OEM suspension parts is that they come with a lifetime warranty.(at least they do here)

 

[QUOTE=Godzilla;50748294]You should not go to the dealer for any suspension products since you will lose on both money and peformance. There are many shock options in the aftermarket that will provide the performance you require for a much cheaper price. The fronts will generally be more than the rears. OME, Bilstein, Tokico, etc.so many good options.
The only "good" thing about getting OEM suspension parts is that they come with a lifetime warranty.(at least they do here)[/QUOT

uh i dont think they do here... something to look into i suppose

 

Autozone carries Bilstein's for $80 each.

 

Toyota parts have a 1 year warranty. If they were lifetime, I'd be out of a job!

 

Mike, give Toyota of Dallas a call, those prices are way high.

 

i think the monroe sensatracs my dad put on my first gen cost less than $40 each..and that truck didnt ride great by any means but it rode fine. Actully, I thought it rode great untill i got my tacoma with coilovers and fancy rear leaves.

 

Actually I have a warranty card from the Toyota dealership here when they put on OEM rear shocks before I got my OME's. It says lifetime warranty as long as its the same owner that got the shocks. This is in Canaduh though.

 

Stock is just that. HD is made for off-road and more loading and will be stiffer than your stock feel shock. So if your truck is a stock pavement pounder no need for HD IMO.

 

www.shox.com has Tokicos (OEM) for $211 for all 4 and Billies for $289.

 

211 isnt bad and yes its a pavement pounder. i drive about 30k a year give or take. it does see off road but not much just during hunting season and some ponds i go to are off the beaten path but not like what most of you guys do so i may go with the cheaper OEM tokicos eventually

 

The Bils HDs will give a more controlled ride but are stiffer. You get to feel every little bump more than before. I am thinking of getting rid of mine and put Tokico Trekmasters on instead.