Replace with OEM Shocks?? (1 Viewer)

[bgladd]

I’ve got a 2013 LC with 211k on the clock. It runs great. But, it’s really bouncy so I need to replace the shocks all around.

I drive 100% on the road so I’m looking for comfort. If anything, I prefer something that drives stiff rather than bouncy.

Should I replace with OEM or aftermarket? Any suggestions??

 

[tbisaacs]

Would suggest a more descriptive post title

 

[jefo13]

Depends on $$ I have a set of 4 OEM with about 40k on them PM me if you want them cheap

 

[Madtiger]

I would stick with OEM. You have a stock LC. No need for aftermarket shocks that either have a rougher ride and/or won’t last as long.

In the future, i plan to stay with stock shocks because my LC is mostly stock like yours. In my past lifetime, i had change OEM to Bilsteins on another truck (4runner)…i regretted that decision.

 

[JAS4]

I would stick with OEM. You have a stock LC. No need for aftermarket shocks that either have a rougher ride and/or won’t last as long.

In the future, i plan to stay with stock shocks because my LC is mostly stock like yours. In my past lifetime, i had change OEM to Bilsteins on another truck (4runner)…i regretted that decision.

Bilstein 4600? Can you say more about what you regretted about that decision? Just curious about your opinion as to the differences pros/cons. Thanks!

 

[Madtiger]

Bilstein 4600? Can you say more about what you regretted about that decision? Just curious about your opinion as to the differences pros/cons. Thanks!

Not 4600. This was back in 2004ish or so (i had a 3rd gen). It was a regular Bilsteins made for to replace OEM back then. Sure, it was better with brake dive and body roll (to some degree) and it did not fade as much when you off-road, but the ride was horrible. Bouncy. Speed bumps caused my kidneys to bruise for sure. After a few months, i switch back to OEM (fortunate that i saved them)…and never looked back.

 

[bgladd]

I would stick with OEM. You have a stock LC. No need for aftermarket shocks that either have a rougher ride and/or won’t last as long.

In the future, i plan to stay with stock shocks because my LC is mostly stock like yours. In my past lifetime, i had change OEM to Bilsteins on another truck (4runner)…i regretted that decision.

Very helpful post! Thanks so much. I just want something uncomplicated that rides smooth for long trips. I have zero need for an off-road suspension.

 

[bloc]

Agreed. Stock is the way to go for your uses, and OEM is the highest quality option without question. Plus from some of the online dealer sites they are surprisingly affordable.. like $40 each for the rears. Fronts were a little over $100 when I bought mine but that was a few years ago.

 

[toy671]

I have a 2013 with 6 month old Bilstein 4600s and a stock 2021 HE so both shocks are almost the same age making for a good comparison.

The Bilsteins I believe are digressive and you do feel the road surface more. They tend to feel a lot stiffer in the first part of travel when you are driving around town slowly. Hitting a speed bump at 5 mph the Bilstein feels like the shock does not compress compared to stock where you feel the wheels move up into the wheel wells and the body stays flatter. On the highway they feel great hitting a depression going 80 mph and do well on fire roads at a decent click. A similar feel would be an BMW M3 vs Lexus IS where the IS would be the stock shock. I'm happy with both, they feel like 2 different trucks.

 

[bgladd]

I have a 2013 with 6 month old Bilstein 4600s and a stock 2021 HE so both shocks are almost the same age making for a good comparison.

The Bilsteins I believe are digressive and you do feel the road surface more. They tend to feel a lot stiffer in the first part of travel when you are driving around town slowly. Hitting a speed bump at 5 mph the Bilstein feels like the shock does not compress compared to stock where you feel the wheels move up into the wheel wells and the body stays flatter. On the highway they feel great hitting a depression going 80 mph and do well on fire roads at a decent click. A similar feel would be an BMW M3 vs Lexus IS where the IS would be the stock shock. I'm happy with both, they feel like 2 different trucks.

That’s a terrific comparison! Thanks! It’s my wife’s truck so I think she’d prefer a more comfy ride around town. It seems like I should go OEM.

 

[RT Cruiser]

Go read through the Bilstein thread. They have a set designed primarily for the 200 series. I’m installing that setup when it’s in stock. Sure, I like the soft meddling over bumps at slow speeds with oem. But the body roll and nose diving during cornering and braking is not my preference. Due to the fact we take several road trips during the year, I need a suspension that is far more tight when the rig is loaded compared to what oem provides.

 

[bgladd]

Go read through the Bilstein thread. They have a set designed primarily for the 200 series. I’m installing that setup when it’s in stock. Sure, I like the soft meddling over bumps at slow speeds with oem. But the body roll and nose diving during cornering and braking is not my preference. Due to the fact we take several road trips during the year, I need a suspension that is far more tight when the rig is loaded compared to what oem provides.

Exactly why I ended up going with the Bilstein 4600. I wanted something a bit tighter. Thanks for your comment!

 

[7000ft]

I installed the Bilstein B6 4600 F/R shocks on my 2020 HE at around 8,000 miles. My impression of the Bilsteins at 10,000 miles : The HE tracks flatter cornering ( much less body roll) and eliminated much of the nose diving while heavy braking. The low speed ride around town is definitely stiffer over speed bumps and expansion joints, but on the highway and Forest roads/trails they perform as they were designed to do. A well thought out design for those of us not installing lift kits. I added the 1" shock spacers at the same time, but don't think that affects the ride quality.

 

[bgladd]

Thanks so much! Did you install the shocks yourself? I’m wondering how difficult it is.

 

[7000ft]

Thanks so much! Did you install the shocks yourself? I’m wondering how difficult it is.

No, I had my local dealer install them. Don't have a lift and don't like to jack /block and have 6000# over my head.

 

[bgladd]

Oh ok! I was thinking the same. I’ll have a local guy do it. Thanks!

 

[bgladd]

I just wanted to report that my new Bilstein B6 4600's are terrific! I've had them on for about a week, and I couldn't be happier. Right amount of stiffness and comfort.

 

[WCDAVE]

You may get an improvement replacing the shocks with fresh OEM, but in my experience when it's time for shock replacement it is also time for new bushings throughout the system. It will make everything tighter. I just checked the price on a sway bar link and it was 20 bucks for the whole link making bushing replacement a waste of money in this case. Probably worth just doing the whole kit while a mechanic has it up in the air and the corners all freed up. Somebody probably sells a parts kit that replaces all the wear components of the suspension.

 

[bloc]

I just checked the price on a sway bar link and it was 20 bucks for the whole link making bushing replacement a waste of money in this case.

Front or rear? OEM front links retail for $130 and $110..

 

[WCDAVE]

Front or rear? OEM front links retail for $130 and $110..

I think the one I found was at $20 was at autozone, but here is the link from partssouq:

FRONT SPRING & SHOCK ABSORBER | Toyota LAND CRUISER GRJ200L-GNANKC GRJ200,URJ202,UZJ200 | Parts Catalogs | PartSouq

If you are looking for FRONT SPRING & SHOCK ABSORBER Parts for Toyota LAND CRUISER GRJ200L-GNANKC GRJ200,URJ202,UZJ200 then we advise you to pay attention to the range of our spare parts catalog for Toyota!

partsouq.com

OEM is more expensive, but not $$130!!! $46 OEM $14 Febest fronts. Point is still the same, if you want to improve suspension performance on a truck with 211k on the odometer, a full set of new rubber is going to net better results that replacing the shocks alone.