Topic: Recommended replacement shocks

[PETDOC]

I've got a stock '88 4Runner, 22RE, 4WD, SR5 that currently has 344,000 miles on it. I only use it on the road and was wondering if anyone has an informed opinion on good replacement shocks. I see Marlin Crawler sells Bilstein for 4Runners adapted for off roading--how about normal city/interstate driving?

[2manytoys]

I have an 88 PU and have been running Rancho Shocks for years. They firm up the ride over stock and work great on the street and not bad off road for a mostly stock truck.

I know a lot of forum members bash them but, I only had one blow out after all these years and it was replaced free under a lifetime warranty. (Keep your receipt)

O'reilly's stocked them and they aren't very expensive. Plenty of places on line to get them too.

[Rocksurfer]

x2 it's what I run when close to stock suspension, and they are cheaper than the others like Bilstien's.

[emsvitil]

I like the Rancho 9000s (or is it 90000 now) because you can adjust them were you like............  (or compensate for them being old)

[PETDOC [OP]]

Thanks to all for input. Just purchased a set of Rancho RS9000XL for $339 from 4Wheel Parts (http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits-Suspensions-and-Shocks/4-Rancho-RS9000XL-shocks-with-4-red-shock-boots.aspx?t_c=1&t_s=90&t_pt=101006&t_pl=101369&t_pn=ShockingRS9000XL). Deal includes $100 rebate so final cost is $239

[2manytoys]

Keep your receipt in case you ever have to warranty any of them. Should be good for a long time though.

[bigarms23]

im running the same shocks so far so good but ive only had mine for 5 days

[hansi530]

oldman emus are good

[daniresch]

Bilstein is the best shock i've ever ran

[PETDOC [OP]]

To those who use the Rancho RS9000XL shocks--what level do you use for normal street driving when not carrying a load or towing? Factory instructions suggest range of 1 to 3 for "normal" ride. Also do you set the rear shocks at a higher level than the front?

[emsvitil]

I'm currently using 1 F & R

[fordh8r]

To those who use the Rancho RS9000XL shocks--what level do you use for normal street driving when not carrying a load or towing? Factory instructions suggest range of 1 to 3 for "normal" ride. Also do you set the rear shocks at a higher level than the front?

The best answer here is to use your own judgement on what you feel is comfortable for the ride and what you feel is acceptable for the handling. There are no mistakes here. Trial and error (without any actual errors ) is the best method of adjustment here. You might try adjusting them in 2-3 level increments so you can quickly dial in from "too hard" or "too soft". Playing with the tunability is half the fun.  

[PETDOC [OP]]

My Rancho shocks arrived without the dust boots. I contacted the seller and the boots are in the mail. Question I have is if only used on-road are these boots really of any benefit?

[2manytoys]

Some people in wet climates like to leave them off so they don't stay wet.

I'm in dry ass Arizona and have the boots on. Crud still gets in.

If they will protect your chrome rods from tiny dings from road debris, I would run the boots.

[fordh8r]

Some people in wet climates like to leave them off so they don't stay wet.

I'm in dry ass Arizona and have the boots on. Crud still gets in.

If they will protect your chrome rods from tiny dings from road debris, I would run the boots.

All true! You may live in a dry area but surely you must wash your rig or use it in those desert like flash floods from time to time.  Only to add, that if you get enough build up inside the boots you can end up with debris laying on the shock tube and built up against the rod and seal.  Plus, when they hold moisture with the debris that gets trapped in there it will usually (read: almost always) cause the shocks to start rusting at the boot area and then spreading which makes the shocks look  like 

[bigarms23]

mine are set on 7 for the street and 5 for off road but im running a 4.3 on 37s with chevy 3/4ton axles

[PETDOC [OP]]

I'll probably skip installing the dust covers. My decision is based on road only vehicle use, TN is very wet and a post on a Ford truck thread. Guy on latter thread is on second set of Rancho shocks and loves them; however, stated dust covers on first set allowed a lot of dirt to accumulate inside.

[Rocksurfer]

I throw the boots in the trash, they just collect dirt and ruin your shocks. The 1st set I ever had I put the boots on and about a year later I was doing some work on the front and pulled the shocks off and found almost an inch of dirt in the boots.

[ca.style]

bilsteins are the best shock i ever ran.  i even run them on my slammed civic with neuspeed race springs.  when people ride in my civic they don't realize it's slammed until i tell them.  the ride is that good using bilstiens.  toyota uses them on all their trucks.  im using them in my 80 restoration for stock replacements.