Topic: Good shocks?

[Speed]

  Hi all;
   Starting to develop a plan to make the '81 Hilux 4X4 a better truck,and would like some input on a couple of things. First,I'm considering a full set of Rancho 5000 shocks and a Rancho steering stabilizer. Are Rancho shocks good? I don't really need high-bucks shocks,just some decent ones that will help the ride a little bit that aren't OEM like these are.
   Also,what bucket eats are an easy install into this truck. The bench seat it has doesn't have any bounce at all-it's like sittiing on a park bench.
Speed

[jssgbsn]

1985 4Runner

I have Bilstein 5100 series front and rear.  Works for me.  I still have factory seats though.

[MRHilux87]

Rancho's are not very good for the price.  You can get pro comps or if you can afford bilstiens they are great.  Stock leaf springs have a big affect on ride too.  PRP seats are really nice. 

[H8PVMNT]

The skinny white KYB gas adjust shocks are really great.  Old Man Emu are worth it if you have stockish or emu springs. Bilstiens are never bad.  The big yellow Monroes, also sold as Napa's "gas grande" are actually pretty awesome too.  I've ended up using those for my trucks and they are easy to warrantee for the rest of your life. They are more boring with a metal dust cover instead of a bare shaft with a boot but that works better for our extreme winter conditions around here.

[Speed [OP]]

   
   Thanks for your replies;
   I'll probably go for the "big yeller Monroes,since I don't really care about the looks,and I ALWAYS prefer a Lifetime Guarantee. I'm in the process of swapping the bench seat (It sits me so low I lose a lot of my close-quarters road vision,and just isn't comfortable for a four wheeler.) for a pair of '83 Mustang bucket seats now-not the greatest,but they're free. Got the driver seat in (actually used the passenger seat on the driver side because it's in better shape);sits me a whisker too high,but feels pretty good cushion-wise. Had to drill all four mounting holes ,but the floor pan is fairly level so it's an easy fit. I put the front mounts on the same rib the stock seat used,but the holes are about 5 inches inboard of the stock bench holes. I drilled the holes with a relatively dull bit,so where they went through,the metal pushed out on the bottom,then used those tapered-thread screws,like GM uses to attach fenders etc.;I used an electric impact driver to make them cut their own threads,then took 'em out and installed the seat. I'll do the right side seat today. I'll have to gather some more bolts to finish the job. (If the seats loosen up later,I'll have to resort to threaded gusset plates,but I'm not going there until I'm sure these are the seats I want to keep.)
   Speed

[bigarms23]

I'm.running 14" radflos w res both front and rear

[Mario]

  I have used Pro Comp shocks for years and they still work well.

[Nation]

nice pic! I like my bilstein 5100s

[toyodaaddict]

nice pic! I like my bilstein 5100s

Nation, whats the difference between 5100's an 5125's?

[Nation]

    The number and price tag?     

5125 Series Bilstein
Since the late 1960's, Bilstein equipped race vehicles have been dominating Baja and the desert racing circuits of the southwest. With over 30 years of off-road racing shock development, Bilstein has now produced the most technologically advanced shock absorber for lifted trucks and SUV's utilizing the single tube high gas pressure concept.  The 5125 Series features Bilstein's patented Deflective self-adjusting valving, delivering improved damping control and a smooth ride on all road surfaces, at any speed. Brushed Aluminum Finish. 

[Nation]

Lookin like they don't make the 5100 series anymore.

[toyodaaddict]

Lookin like they don't make the 5100 series anymore.

isnt it the 5150's that are not sold anymore? My buddy was just looking at shocks for a 4cyl yj  so i recommended 5125's and he said quadratech sells 5100's for jeeps but i cant find a good answer for whats the difference, its a mystery. 

[MRHilux87]

I had bought some bilstiens in the past and liked them, but I traded stuff for a rig with adjustable pro comps and they seem to work every bit as a good, and the damper adjustment even seems to work.  Tested it up on the oregon dunes. 

[84Flatbed]

I might be wrong but I think 5100's are application specific and the 5125's are sold for custom applications.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

I want to try the bilstien 6100s

[TacoRunner]

If I am out of line I'll delete this but I have to say I've tuned shocks for more than just coilovers......

Car 488 Stock class Ultra 4. (AKA leaf sprung)  And a few other none racers that wanted something better off the shelf stuff.

[Ev87We4]

I had 5125 bilstiens too. I think the 5125 is a more universal shock over the direct fit 5100. Same shock, but I put 14" travel shocks on my lifted truck. I liked them a lot except the finish doesn't hold up especially on salted roads up north. They were also stiff when really cold and made a popping noise until warmed up. But that was only in weather below 20 degree.

[84Flatbed]

If I am out of line I'll delete this but I have to say I've tuned shocks for more than just coilovers......

Car 488 Stock class Ultra 4. (AKA leaf sprung)  And a few other none racers that wanted something better off the shelf stuff.

Huh? Did I miss something here?

[TacoRunner]

Ya I do coilovers 95% of the time but I've had a few guys ask for smooth body shocks for their leaf springs.  So I guess we're a little more well rounded then some thought.

[clatter]

Find a used set of rebuildable shocks (swayaway, fox, king etc) on your local craigslist and run them. In the end you will have a better shock for the same price and can tune it to suit your needs.