Bilstein shocks, anything else i should get? (1 Viewer)

[nmesce]

Hey there everyone, I have a 96 fj80 with about 120,000 miles. i have a new safety inspection coming up and apparently last year i almost failed because my shocks are pretty shotttt. so I have been looking into new shocks. first keep in mind, I DO NOT want to lift my cruiser, just a smoother ride, I occasionally go off road but nothing crazy, just to get to the beach and so on.

my main question's are,

- Bilstein shocks, or should I get a different kind?

- should i get new springs, or suspension, or anything else while im putting in new shocks?

- what are you guys/girls running with your bilsteins or other set ups that are not lifted?

Thank you for your help and time, I am not the best with this stuff so i really do appreciate your help !!

 

[2 E L O]

Just depends on your intended use of the truck.

If all you use it for is driving around on roads then just get new stock replacement shocks.

If you do some towing but don't want to lift, go with OME 861/862 coils and stock replacement shocks.

If you do towing and want some higher performance shocks go with OME 861/862 and Bilsteins. The Bilsteins will be significantly stiffer than the stockers, though.

Just my experience and opinions. Others will surely differ...

 

[rolliges]

Cant beat stock OEM shocks from CDan.

Edit: which island? which beach?

 

[7schulz]

I started this a few days ago, some good info.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/609634-built-comfort.html

 

[KingKong]

I personally would go with some Ironman Foam Cells, much better dampening and not as stiff as those Bilsteins.

 

[MINO]

Compared to Cali Smog, safety check is well missed! But not recon... I hated recon.
wasn't the joke that Safety is the only time a Hawaiian will user their horn?

Anyway, I've been happy with the zero lift OME + bilsteins. it rides a little harsher but I like it. Being in the salt air, use a lot of PB Blaster and have spare bolts and nuts ready. I ended up doing a few worn bushings when I did my springs.

 

[nmesce]

2 elo , thank you for your response, I considered stock shocks but figured if i was going to spend the money i might as well spend a little more and get a quality shock. I find myself off road once or twice a week, either to go to a secluded beach, friends house, or camping. I do occasionally tow a jetski or boat from time to time.

rolliges, i live on oahu on the north shore

 

[nmesce]

mino, yea the safety and recon can be a real pain in the butt. Mino what size where those OME springs, are they the 861/862 coil springs that 2elo recommended?

KingKong, thank you for the suggestion of ironman foam cells I am currently reading up on them now.

 

[DudeAbides]

At stock height there really isn't any reason to not go with the oem shock. They work great, ride great, and are cheap through Dan or the like.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Just another in agreement that the Bils are stiff.

 

[ulikepoi]

old man emus

 

[nmesce]

alot of you say OME, can i just get the shocks and use the stock LC coils ? or is it absolutely necessary to get OME coils as well?

 

[rolliges]

alot of you say OME, can i just get the shocks and use the stock LC coils ? or is it absolutely necessary to get OME coils as well?

Stock shocks are Tokikos and are very good. The price from CDan cannot be beat.

They will take you to Kaena Point, the place no one talks about behind the shrimp fields, and other places no one talks about.

Forget OME, get OEM!

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

Just another in agreement that the Bils are stiff.

x2,x3 or x whatever. Bilsteins are STIFF!

 

[Kernal]

I've had a set of Bilsteins for years and they ride great, more controlled lane changes than the stock shocks, no problems, not too stiff. What they do is make up a bit for the softness of worn stock springs IME.

 

[nmesce]

so I think I am going to stay away from OME and either get bilsteins or ironman foam cells, whichever of these shocks I choose I will be running them with OME 861/862 coils and a Tough Dog Return to Center steering damper.

http://www.4wd1.com/80-series-steering-dampers.htm the only place i could find Tough dog products was at this site, anbody know where I can get them in the US ? NOTE 4WD1 WILL SHIP ANYWHERE.

any thoughts on bilstein or ironman foam cells, please share!

 

[tea LC]

I'm also shopping around to upgrade the suspension. My original thought was Bilstein + OEM springs... but now I'm not too sure after all the comments. Anyone else have experience with Bilstein shocks on an 80?

 

[94SRUNNER]

I recently just replaced the suspension on my 80 with the Old Man Emu stock level lift kit. Which has the new Nitro Charger Sport shocks and the 861/862 springs(coils). It has been about three weeks and so far no complaints. It was a little stiff at first, but has since softened up. The rig handles better and rides very nice. The suspension, that was removed included stock springs and Bilstein shocks. The Bilsteins were alright,they were on the stiff side as other have commented. On my next 80 I probably would not get them again. As far as steering dampeners go, the Old Man Emu works great and I have used them on the rig sinced I have owned.

 

[slowsuki]

doetsch prerunner 8000 shocks, cheap and great ride. made in usa. if you loooking for rebuildable shock i would look at the doetsch or the f-o-a shocks have a great price,
have not read anything bad about them.

 

[livinoffroad]

alot of you say OME, can i just get the shocks and use the stock LC coils ? or is it absolutely necessary to get OME coils as well?

You can go with the stock coils, but in all likelihood, they are worn, and, BTW, they are not progressive rate. The OME stock height springs are progressive rate, and are a thicker gauge coil. When I had my OEM springs out, and side by side with the OME spring, I compressed them both, and couldn't believe the difference

The OME springs do SUCH a better job, in tandem with the matching shocks, of controlling sway and lean, with this top heavy pig, that I can take corners FASTER now.