Just an update, I followed @crimsonaudio ’s lead and installed the OEM shocks on all four corners with 865’s in the rear and cranked TB’s . We’ve put 30k miles on the set-up. We cover a lot of highway miles To get to the trails we want to explore and this setup has been a great balance.
Replacing 215k OEM Shocks - New OEM or Bilstein/OME?
- Thread starter OptimusPrime
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I’m super interested in doing this. how much did this raise your cruiser? Do you have pics of how your truck sits with these? Also do you carry lots of additional weight. Besides kiddos and camping gear?
Sorry for all the questions.
I've got a pair of 865s sitting in the garage ready for install just waiting for warmer weather. Going to go with OEM Toyota shocks as well. Trying to decide if I should add a spacer as well or just go with the springs.
I have the same setup and have been very happy with it. @Matthew810 I will post some shots but I did not add spacers. I don't haul much weight regularly--our offroad and camping excursions are light affairs--and chose to not add the Slee spacers. An added set of Trail Tailor extended sway bar links really makes for a great ride, working with less than an inch of rake.
murf at Camelback made sourcing the OEM shocks and hardware very easy (and cheap).
Also I've got the Slee spacers, brand new, if you're interested in them.
murf at Camelback made sourcing the OEM shocks and hardware very easy (and cheap).
Also I've got the Slee spacers, brand new, if you're interested in them.
Trail tailors are on the list for sure once I'm in there. Especially since one of the fronts is completely shot. I'll probably go without the spacers as, well but will keep you in mind if I change my mind. Thanks for shock recommendations too. Can wait to get it ready for HIH this summer.
@ Ca ldc It raised my cruiser just under 2in based on pre and post measurements. It probably has settled a little since then. I kept a little rake front to back.
My rig looks pretty stock as I have kept my oem bumpers and I still have my running boards on (gasp). But if I’m parked next to a stock LC or LX you can definitely tell the difference. I subscribe to keeping it as stock as possible so if I can’t fix it myself I can easily source anything I need.
As for weight, I have meant to stop at a truck scale to weigh just for my personal knowledge, but quick estimate tells me I carry roughly 650lbs of gear NOT including the family when I am loaded - drawer system, yeti cooler, 10 gals of water, food and camping gear for a week, tools, recovery boards, 4 bikes and an inflatable kayak. But my wife will tell you I am a bit of a minimalist - 1 bag per person, and definitely no single purpose items except for disposable maintenance needs and the 54mm socket in the tool bag (I am sure that has another use, I just haven’t discovered it yet
)We don’t go in search of rock crawling, but we like to get to some pretty remote spots. I haven’t encountered anything that has made us turnaround due to our suspension set-up. I’ll likely add a winch at some point because getting stuck in mud has been our only hesitation - ih8mud.
Hope that helps. I’ll look for some photos to post. My driveway slopes down so photos at the house don’t really show the lift. You really have to study the tire position in the wheel wells to see a difference.
Does anyone have the compressed/extended length of OEM shocks?
I know the front is not limited in travel by the stock shocks, so unless you get UCA’s or have a heavy bumper it doesn’t make sense to go with any longner shocks. In the rear, I’ve read anecdotes of the stock shocks being similar length as the OME/aftermarket options, so again unless you’re carrying additional load (bumper, drawers, etc) I suspect maybe the OEM shocks are just fine in terms of travel?
I know the front is not limited in travel by the stock shocks, so unless you get UCA’s or have a heavy bumper it doesn’t make sense to go with any longner shocks. In the rear, I’ve read anecdotes of the stock shocks being similar length as the OME/aftermarket options, so again unless you’re carrying additional load (bumper, drawers, etc) I suspect maybe the OEM shocks are just fine in terms of travel?
@ Ca ldc It raised my cruiser just under 2in based on pre and post measurements. It probably has settled a little since then. I kept a little rake front to back.
My rig looks pretty stock as I have kept my oem bumpers and I still have my running boards on (gasp). But if I’m parked next to a stock LC or LX you can definitely tell the difference. I subscribe to keeping it as stock as possible so if I can’t fix it myself I can easily source anything I need.
As for weight, I have meant to stop at a truck scale to weigh just for my personal knowledge, but quick estimate tells me I carry roughly 650lbs of gear NOT including the family when I am loaded - drawer system, yeti cooler, 10 gals of water, food and camping gear for a week, tools, recovery boards, 4 bikes and an inflatable kayak. But my wife will tell you I am a bit of a minimalist - 1 bag per person, and definitely no single purpose items except for disposable maintenance needs and the 54mm socket in the tool bag (I am sure that has another use, I just haven’t discovered it yet
We don’t go in search of rock crawling, but we like to get to some pretty remote spots. I haven’t encountered anything that has made us turnaround due to our suspension set-up. I’ll likely add a winch at some point because getting stuck in mud has been our only hesitation - ih8mud.
Hope that helps. I’ll look for some photos to post. My driveway slopes down so photos at the house don’t really show the lift. You really have to study the tire position in the wheel wells to see a difference.
Thanks for the detailed information. I really appreciate it. When you aren’t loaded with gear How is the ride?
I have a new rear shock , not been installed yet. I can do both extended/compressed, but where do you want me to measure exactly and I'll measure it up for you.
That would be super helpful! Could you measure from where the first washer sits to center of the eye? The compressed vs extended length will allow us to compare with aftermarket options!
That would be super helpful! Could you measure from where the first washer sits to center of the eye? The compressed vs extended length will allow us to compare with aftermarket options!
The extended length is 23" and the compressed length is 14". The first washer sits right on top of the shock, which is different than the old shock I took out. The old one has a small ring above the shock body but the new one doesn't. Overall length is identical, so a slight design change to make it cheaper - one less manufacturing step. And the top of the shock body is flatter now, so the washer (Toyota calls it a cushion retainer) just rides right on there.
This is super helpful, thanks for sharing! It appears that the stock travel is very similar to OME...yet the consensus has been to always upgrade shocks when lifting for additional travel.
Unless I go with extended travel shock, I think I’ll just stick with OEM for now with my 860 springs
fooldall1
Handy Enthusiast
This is super helpful, thanks for sharing! It appears that the stock travel is very similar to OME...yet the consensus has been to always upgrade shocks when lifting for additional travel.
Unless I go with extended travel shock, I think I’ll just stick with OEM for now with my 860 springs
Yep, same here. 1.5 inch lift, and OEM-Style (Gabriel) Shocks and smooth like OEM.
I'm a fan of Bilsteins and my 200 series is handling the curves up the hills much better, but I included a picture of my rusted KDSS valve that added $2626.00 to the cost of new shocks. I never realized that Toyota had a screwulater valve in any of their vehicles: was under the impression that they only came on european cars.
@Ca lc apologies for the delayed response, traveling a bunch.
I would say ride is firm and controlled, but not uncomfortable. Definitely feel expansion joints more but not jarring.
Hope that helps.
No worries. Hope the traveling is for fun not business.
Thanks for the info. I think I’m sold on this setup.
How are you finding them compared to OEM? I'm looking to get a set for my truck.
fooldall1
Handy Enthusiast
Same, if not better- and a lifetime warranty at the local Autozone. More than happy with them now after almost 1.5yrs- no regrets. and @ like 30 bucks each? Granted, I don't do a lot of offroad driving, light trails occasionally- but yesterday coming home from the girl's Softball practice, I floored the truck over some really big up and downs at speed, and the shocks ate up the bumps awesomely...as can be expected for an OEM ride.
Question for you guys -
After reading through the string (great info) I've landed on replacing OEM shocks with fresh OEM shocks through @murf assuming thats still an option.
My question is regarding install, which I feel dumb asking as YouTube clearly shows its a fairly straightforward job (links below) but I have to ask the question, because I'm new to the suspension world and I just have no idea.
Front
Rear
1. do it myself - this is possible with the help of my neighbor, who has years of experience and all the tools.
2. take it somewhere - I'm finding very few shops locally that will install shocks that they haven't sold me. Midas is actually the only garage that will install, and they want $400 to do it, which seems nuts. Local Toyota quoted me 8 hours at $150/hour, even more nuts. Is there some secret to finding ways to get this done on the cheap, or are these install rates what motivates us all do take the project on and do it ourselves?
After reading through the string (great info) I've landed on replacing OEM shocks with fresh OEM shocks through @murf assuming thats still an option.
My question is regarding install, which I feel dumb asking as YouTube clearly shows its a fairly straightforward job (links below) but I have to ask the question, because I'm new to the suspension world and I just have no idea.
Front
Rear
1. do it myself - this is possible with the help of my neighbor, who has years of experience and all the tools.
2. take it somewhere - I'm finding very few shops locally that will install shocks that they haven't sold me. Midas is actually the only garage that will install, and they want $400 to do it, which seems nuts. Local Toyota quoted me 8 hours at $150/hour, even more nuts. Is there some secret to finding ways to get this done on the cheap, or are these install rates what motivates us all do take the project on and do it ourselves?
My only warning is getting the old shocks off is usually the biggest issue. I'd check with another Toyota dealer on labor hours too, but if committed to doing it yourself start with spraying down the bolts with some type of rust buster.
