97 4 runner Shock recommendations

[FLYINGLOW]

Well I'm new to 4 runners and this corner of Mud but we are getting a 97 4 Runner Ltd, picking it up tomorrow. The truck is a beauty and I think Toyota forgot to install rust. This truck is in amazing shape for living on the coast, but its only been here for a year and a half. I'd say the under side of the truck is comparable to some of the nicer import trucks coming from Japan, I doubt it has seen a dirt road in its life.

The only real problem is the right front shock has puked its oil out. I did a search but didn't find anything on stock front shocks, most of the results talked about lifted trucks. Is it worth going OEM or is there a commonly available shock that is highly recommended? I will start a thread and post pics of the truck next week. Thanks.

 

[zetasig]

I have a 97 4runner, Same thing happened to my Driver front shock, I replaced them with Rancho RS 5000s. I have been pretty happy with them overall. They are not to stiff. I think they were 45 bucks a pop, and I got them through 4 wheel drive hardware. If you are doing it your self you know you need a spring compressor. I got my from autozone or one of the drones on their loan a tool program.

I installed them probably 3 + years ago. car now has 147K on it.

Good luck.

 

[coonass]

Well I'm new to 4 runners and this corner of Mud but we are getting a 97 4 Runner Ltd, picking it up tomorrow. The truck is a beauty and I think Toyota forgot to install rust. This truck is in amazing shape for living on the coast, but its only been here for a year and a half. I'd say the under side of the truck is comparable to some of the nicer import trucks coming from Japan, I doubt it has seen a dirt road in its life.

The only real problem is the right front shock has puked its oil out. I did a search but didn't find anything on stock front shocks, most of the results talked about lifted trucks. Is it worth going OEM or is there a commonly available shock that is highly recommended? I will start a thread and post pics of the truck next week. Thanks.

With the truck being a 97 you may want to go ahead and replace the springs as well. You could get a full Old Man Emu suspension for under $700.00 including shipping, it will however provide a couple inches of lift.

Jacque

 

[FLYINGLOW]

With the truck being a 97 you may want to go ahead and replace the springs as well. You could get a full Old Man Emu suspension for under $700.00 including shipping, it will however provide a couple inches of lift.

Jacque

Hey man, you're preaching to the choir! I've been told I have a cruiser for wheeling and I'm not lifting the runner. Maybe my wife would believe me if I said the springs were worn out or they were cracked or something? I would love to put a couple inches in and some 31 muds! I think my friend has a fairly new set of springs that he pulled when he installed his lift.

I have a 97 4runner, Same thing happened to my Driver front shock, I replaced them with Rancho RS 5000s. I have been pretty happy with them overall. They are not to stiff. I think they were 45 bucks a pop, and I got them through 4 wheel drive hardware. If you are doing it your self you know you need a spring compressor. I got my from autozone or one of the drones on their loan a tool program.

I installed them probably 3 + years ago. car now has 147K on it.

Good luck.

Thanks for the info. My friend has a compressor.

 

[too tall]

There's one in my truck mark . Let's see some pics . Did you sell the ford?

 

[hoch]

If you're just going to be on the road, Tokico TrekMasters are supposed to be really good. They are about $200 for all four, which you'd definately want to replace all four. If not, just get an OEM shock in that corner.

If you're doing it yourself, make sure you've got a sawzall for the rear shocks.

 

[FLYINGLOW]

There's one in my truck mark . Let's see some pics . Did you sell the ford?

Oh, ya, finally. We still have the canopy to sell though. I called and left a message on your phone. Call me next week if you can or just email me, I have an issue with the "box". Wifey is getting the truck this afternoon, I'll get her to email me a picture or 2 when she picks it up. I was counting on finding your spring compressor. How's the trip?

If you're just going to be on the road, Tokico TrekMasters are supposed to be really good. They are about $200 for all four, which you'd definately want to replace all four. If not, just get an OEM shock in that corner.

If you're doing it yourself, make sure you've got a sawzall for the rear shocks.

Thanks, I will prolly replace all four, the front 2 at least right away. I called Toyota and was told $140 each

 

[too tall]

Oh, ya, finally. We still have the canopy to sell though. I called and left a message on your phone. Call me next week if you can or just email me, I have an issue with the "box". Wifey is getting the truck this afternoon, I'll get her to email me a picture or 2 when she picks it up. I was counting on finding your spring compressor. How's the trip?



Trip is good so far .Kinda sittin' around in Carman .Thinkin' about gettin ahold of some guys in ontario for a little wheelin' . Truck's runnin' really good. Not too bad through the mountains . I'll post some more pics later on my thread.

 

[SOAZtim]

Oh, ya, finally. We still have the canopy to sell though. I called and left a message on your phone. Call me next week if you can or just email me, I have an issue with the "box". Wifey is getting the truck this afternoon, I'll get her to email me a picture or 2 when she picks it up. I was counting on finding your spring compressor. How's the trip?



Thanks, I will prolly replace all four, the front 2 at least right away. I called Toyota and was told $140 each

pssssst! Go on yotatech and order some 99 springs and shocks for it all around or buy some used ones.(there is a guy on there that offers 25% off on ALL toyota orders, he's a dealership) Its all toyota parts and it will ride better. The wifey doesn't need to know taht 99 springs are about an inch higher than the other year springs. hehehe

 

[Downey]

Flyinglow, Or a bitchin pair of front Bilsteins at $89.95 each ( not the make-pretend ones Toyota sells), I agree with Zetasig, you will need a spring compressor or your home town gas station's press. Good hunting Bud!!!

 

[FLYINGLOW]

Flyinglow, Or a bitchin pair of front Bilsteins at $89.95 each ( not the make-pretend ones Toyota sells), I agree with Zetasig, you will need a spring compressor or your home town gas station's press. Good hunting Bud!!!

Thanks for the input guys, it turns out a friend from work has a 99 and he pulled the springs and shocks out to put in a lift a few years ago. The shocks had 50000km on them when he pulled them and the springs had the recall done only a month befor. He gave it all to me. Another friend has a spring compressor I can borrow. A set of Bilsteins or an inch of lift would both be great, but free is pretty nice right now. I might even be able get Bilsteins for the 40 instead.

 

[hoch]

Bilsteins are good on-road, but are pretty harsh off-road (not from personal experience, but that's the general consensus with other 4Runner owners w/Bilsteins). Those free OEM shocks should last you quite a while. Can't beat free.

 

[bkg]

Go w/ Bilsteins. You'll love them.

Also, don't use a spring compressor - they suck and are dangerous. Using a press is sooooo much easier.