Topic: shock choice

[eightyfive]

i have 3.5" lift in the front of my 1985 4runner. i need some help choosing shocks. i need a good shock that will ride good on the road, and perform just as well offroad. this shock also needs to mount to the STOCK location. i need shocks for the front.

i've already done alot of researching but everyone with good shocks redo their mounting locations, which i do not want to do.

[abnormaltoy]

i have 3.5" lift in the front of my 1985 4runner. i need some help choosing shocks. i need a good shock that will ride good on the road, and perform just as well offroad. this shock also needs to mount to the STOCK location. i need shocks for the front.

i've already done alot of researching but everyone with good shocks redo their mounting locations, which i do not want to do.

I believe you can't go wrong with Bilstein. I have no experience with Ranch, but I know both have many mounting choices. I'd  go to the web site and look for their catalog

[eightyfive [OP]]

bilsteins are too expensive, how are the cheapy gabriel gas shocks at autozone?

[IronClad]

work fine..  bilstiens are about the same ammount as ranchos and are 100 times better..

[86 4runner]

pro crap. like $26 a piece

[RustyToy]

just got to pepi boys and get their long ranchos.

[FIREBALL]

If you want good ride on the road and good off road manners I say the Bilsteins too.
I've run RS5000's, 9000's and other cheap shocks, but the Bils I put on my 4runner have made the biggest improvement all around out of anything i've ever run.
Yep, they're more expensive, but just like everything in life....you get what you pay for.

[crapyota]

i just got rancho 5000 36 inch travel $36 each new. and they are better then the nothing i had

[cheap sunglasses]

IMO ranchos are to bilsteins as skycrapper springs are to marlins or alcans. I have no idea about what will fit stock though sorry.

[79coyotefrg]

bilsteins are too expensive, how are the cheapy gabriel gas shocks at autozone?

im running the gabrials,  they are smooth and give a good ride  on the highway,   i wouldnt run the baja 1000  or anything and expect them to last but they have a lifetime warranty  and they come in stock, 3 inch and 4 inch lift  length

[unclejpl4x4]

I had a set of bilsteins  @ 67$ a pice  I did not even get 2 years out of them...... will never get them aging.

[jimbo74]

first off, go measure your travel on your truck.... a replacement 3.5" shock will not fit every toyota with 3.5" of lift......

then take the measurement you get and compare them to the measurement that the manufacturers list for a shock....

my 4x2 has 2" lift shackles and an add-a-leaf... i put 4" lift shocks on it, and they are still 1/2" too short @ ride height, meaning they are nowhere close to allowing any travel

[N.S.Runner]

I had Ranchos on my truck for three years with no problems no rust. Lifted my truck 3 inches and put BDS front Sky rear. In less than one year the paint started to fall off them and they  started rusting. Looking at the three types side by side they look the same but the rancho seems to have better corrosion resistance.

[kneedownnate]

Been running rancho 9000s I got off a crackhead (straight trade for stock height monroes) back in 99, and have had no problems.  The ride nice on the street, off road and when I need to haul something I turn 2-3 clicks and it handles much better.

[eightyfive [OP]]

i've been thinking of going gariel since they have lifetime warrenty and they are dirt cheap.

[Bob Garrett]

Measure the collapsed and fully extended lengths you need front and rear. Then go to the Monroe website and their shock dimension and mounting style sheets. Find the part# that has the right dimensions & mounting. Mine were the Gas Magnums, I think. I bought them at Advance Auto for $30 each during a "buy 3, get the 4th free" sale. They're not Bils but for less than $100, they seem to work ok.

[AlaskaToy]

I had a set of bilsteins  @ 67$ a pice  I did not even get 2 years out of them...... will never get them aging.

ditto.  Mine puked when it got cold and still ooz today.  I called bilstein who seems less than concerned and would even talk warranty.  They said I'd need to go through the the place I bought them.  I haven't bothered.  They still (well 2 out of 4) work ok.  I'll go back to doetsch tecs next.  They are the best aftermrket shock I have run.  Although, I may try out some KYBs