10 years old, time for shocks?

[Walking Eagle]

I respect your experience, and I think you are dead on if you want to return your vehicle to its stock characteristics (although at 10 years I think you need to replace all wear components to accomplish this). The idea of "perfectly matched" implies that the stock characteristics are the most desirable possible for every type of usage, which is impossible. In the North American market, SUV's are almost univerally tuned to be too soft, because "ride" is paramount for those four wheel drive commutes with lattes in tow.

I was going to post almost the same exact thing. Stock is optimized for some mythological average consumer. That's not always what every consumer wants. That's why Billies come on the TRD trucks - slightly different consumer. I'd also guess that 80% of the people on this list use their 80 series a little differently than the target consumer for a $55,000 SUV. What is optimum ride for this small percentage of consumers, is somewhat off from what the "average consumer" wanted when Toyota optimized the system for them.

Not saying Toyota didn't meet 85-90% of the markets needs with it's settings, just that I"m probably in the 10-15% of consumers.

In the end - if the ride was perfect to you when new - go with stock. If you'd like a stiffer ride, go billies or something else.

Heath

 

[Bruneti]

I'm curious if the OEM Toyota shocks for the Australian market were the same as for North America.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Couple comments.

One - how many of you have driven your 80 when it was new? I don't see many hands because most bought their used. When new, the 80's ride and handling package both on road and offroad was amazing. No excessive lean, no undue handling quirks, definitely no weak kneed US SUV feelings (with the 4.5 in 1993 we used the German market springs/shocks - I was at the meeting), etc. The original handling was amazing and when mine still is because I periodically put fresh factory shocks on it. Put new factory springs and new factory shocks on it and you've got a great handling SUV that can tackle any offroad environment its stock form will allow it to fit on with aplomb.

Two - agree that no suspension setup is perfect for everybody. No new news there, but understand that the 80 series suspension development team laboriously tunes things. The aftermarket makers look at the vehicle's stroke length, weight and scratch their heads looking at the shocks they have on the shelf, then pick one up and say "this'll do" before signing off on an exciting looking ad showing a truck driving on a rocky hillside with a sweet looking trout stream in the background. Guess which cost more money - the ad or the development tuning for your 80?

Hey, I agree there are reasons to mod your suspension. I understand that. But I think it's worth considering the stock shock absorbers as well. Suspension tuning is a very complex science and art and as someone who's done some I can tell you that what some people believe passes as an improvement is only an improvement in a couple areas with a lot of bizarre shuddery suspension movements over washboard, or inadequate rebound damping on large bumps, etc.

I'm definitely not saying factory shocks are right for everyone, but if you had to choose who's done a better job of matching the shocks to this vehicle you really have to say Toyota. If the Toyota shocks were crap like most factory shocks are (trust me on this) I wouldn't hesitate to replace them myself because I tow heavy and believe me this is much more of a safety issue requiring proper vehicle motion control than offroading is and I could use any shocks I care to including handmade prototypes.

DougM

 

[Nay]

That is good info on the quality of the OEM shocks. $100 a set is excellent, and most "offroad" stuff in even the $35/shock range is absolute junk (think Rancho).

Nay

 

[Beowulf]

I'm definitely not saying factory shocks are right for everyone, but if you had to choose who's done a better job of matching the shocks to this vehicle you really have to say Toyota.

Doug,
As you may know, I typically recommend OEM shocks for those that are not changing to the OME springs. I think the bang-for-the-buck of the stock shocks is great.

I do have a question for you since you were with Lexus at the time. Why did the 96-97 Lexus LX450 come with softer shocks than the Toyota Landcruiser? We have also been told (multiple sample sizes) that Lexus dealers would supply Toyota shocks for their customers that complained of a "too mushy" ride.

-B-

 

[Brentbba]

Doug - my hand is up as an original owner. Now, could I tell you how the truck handled when new vs 10 years old. No. Degredation is just to slow. What I can tell you is new shocks and coils made a huge difference in the ride and handling of the truck. OEM or OME for shocks you can't go wrong. Even OEM coils and there would be a difference.

 

[Walking Eagle]

Couple comments.

Two - agree that no suspension setup is perfect for everybody. No new news there, but understand that the 80 series suspension development team laboriously tunes things. The aftermarket makers look at the vehicle's stroke length, weight and scratch their heads looking at the shocks they have on the shelf, then pick one up and say "this'll do" before signing off on an exciting looking ad showing a truck driving on a rocky hillside with a sweet looking trout stream in the background. Guess which cost more money - the ad or the development tuning for your 80?

Doug - I wouldn't lump all aftermarket makers into the same group as you have. Some certainly do more testing and tuning for systems than others. Just as some OEM's (like Toyota) do a better job of tunning than others. I think you'd be hard pressed to find many people that think OME's systems are thrown together - for 80 series or any other vehicle they supply for. I certainly haven't ever read a discouraging word about them, even in the negative world of the www.

I'm not knocking Toyota's stock set-up (and I have driven brand new 80 series, though it's been a few years) - it's just no more fair to lump all aftermarket companies in one group than it would be to lump Toyota in with Ford, GM, Hyundai and KIA.

Oh, and on the ad money, I think Toyota is throwing plenty of that around too. Co-worker just brought in a new Tacoma Brochure. I'm still trying to figure out what the two 14 year old girls on 60's style schwinns has to do with the truck....

Heath

 

[rolliges]

Doug (anybody),

Can I use stock shocks with an OME 2" (medium) coils?????

Edit: 95% on road/beach use.

 

[Beowulf]

Yes, you just won't get the extra 2" droop.
-B-

 

[FJ809496TLC]

OEM, best shocks for stock Cruiser. I had to switch to Rancho for heavy load in the rear but kept the OEM just in case.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Walking Eagle,

I was remiss in not mentioning Old Man Emu (OME) as a company whose products are at the top of the heap. I particularly am impressed that they sell the shocks and springs matched together. Each and every time I've typed this issue up I have mentioned OME stuff except this one - thanks for correcting me.

On the LX shocks, I have no idea. This is more than a little ironic as I did most of my product work at Lexus....

DougM

 

[PDoyle]

So, what are the best shocks to install with a new 2" lift?

 

[Beowulf]

IMHO, the best shocks would be those that are matched to the springs that come with the 2" lift.

-B-

 

[PDoyle]

ok.

 

[Nay]

So, what are the best shocks to install with a new 2" lift?

What 2" lift is out there besides OME? If it is OME, get the OME shocks!

Nay

 

[Beowulf]

Downey used to sell 2" springs. I think Man-A-Fre is selling a 2" kit. The Aussies can get King springs. I know of a few guys that have had custom springs built but those were in sizes other than what you can get off-the-shelf.

-B-

 

[Brentbba]

As B said, MAF has any combination, just as Slee and Kurt have. I'm getting my 2" on the 6th at MAF!

 

[Nay]

Are MAF's 2" springs stiffer than OME? I'd love to get a set of 2.5" at a spring rate closer to what Slee is using, and then run some Bilsteins with them (5100's 10" travel eye-to-eye style with shock mount adapters). OME is just a little bit too soft...but I don't need any more lift.

Nay

 

[BOUNDER]

Couple comments.

One - how many of you have driven your 80 when it was new? I don't see many hands because most bought their used. When new, the 80's ride and handling package both on road and offroad was amazing. No excessive lean, no undue handling quirks, definitely no weak kneed US SUV feelings (with the 4.5 in 1993 we used the German market springs/shocks - I was at the meeting), etc. The original handling was amazing and when mine still is because I periodically put fresh factory shocks on it. Put new factory springs and new factory shocks on it and you've got a great handling SUV that can tackle any offroad environment its stock form will allow it to fit on with aplomb.

Two - agree that no suspension setup is perfect for everybody. No new news there, but understand that the 80 series suspension development team laboriously tunes things. The aftermarket makers look at the vehicle's stroke length, weight and scratch their heads looking at the shocks they have on the shelf, then pick one up and say "this'll do" before signing off on an exciting looking ad showing a truck driving on a rocky hillside with a sweet looking trout stream in the background. Guess which cost more money - the ad or the development tuning for your 80?

Hey, I agree there are reasons to mod your suspension. I understand that. But I think it's worth considering the stock shock absorbers as well. Suspension tuning is a very complex science and art and as someone who's done some I can tell you that what some people believe passes as an improvement is only an improvement in a couple areas with a lot of bizarre shuddery suspension movements over washboard, or inadequate rebound damping on large bumps, etc.

I'm definitely not saying factory shocks are right for everyone, but if you had to choose who's done a better job of matching the shocks to this vehicle you really have to say Toyota. If the Toyota shocks were crap like most factory shocks are (trust me on this) I wouldn't hesitate to replace them myself because I tow heavy and believe me this is much more of a safety issue requiring proper vehicle motion control than offroading is and I could use any shocks I care to including handmade prototypes.

DougM

I think most people - including many of us on this site, are dramatically influenced by the marketing guru's and the obscene amounts of $$$$$$ spent to lure us to an aftermarket utopia. In some cases, it may be true. But, a Toyota Land Cruiser has incredible capability and durability straight out of the showroom - we all know this but the "sexy" sirens lead us elsewhere. Care to guess how much Bilstein spends on marketing??? Therein lies your answer. I'm with DougM on this one. And there may be a handful of us who truly have a case to use aftermarket.

 

[PDoyle]

Where do you get MAF springs ?

Are MAF's 2" springs stiffer than OME? I'd love to get a set of 2.5" at a spring rate closer to what Slee is using, and then run some Bilsteins with them (5100's 10" travel eye-to-eye style with shock mount adapters). OME is just a little bit too soft...but I don't need any more lift.

Nay