What is the best shock for a sportier ride?

[SWUtah]

I would like to change shocks on my 100 series they aren't wornout only has 60K miles on it, I just need a different ride from my LC. I also have a 2004 4runner with the XReas shocks, these things are great, the 4runner feels connected to the road without jarring your teeth out of your head. More of a sports car feel with excellent shock response. My LC has the LC luxury car ride with more sway and it even feels rougher then the 4runner on the unimproved roads that we drive. Wife thinks the 4runner rides nicer then the LC which is not cool. What shocks would you guys recommend to improve the LC ride on highway and unimproved roads so it would ride more like the 4runner? (I'm not into rock crawling so I don't need it tuned for rock crawling). I want something between a sports car ride and the current luxury car ride of the LC.

I had OME on my 80 series and they were better then the stock Toyota shocks but I don't know if the OME shocks are that good on the 100 series for what I am looking for. Also are there more then one OME shock for the 100 series?

Thanks

 

[dfmorse]

These are great and cheaper than when I bought them 4 years ago. Will turn your beast into a sort-of sports car.

http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/subpages/EdelbrockSuspension.asp

...

 

[spressomon]

I would like to change shocks on my 100 series they aren't wornout only has 60K miles on it, I just need a different ride from my LC. I also have a 2004 4runner with the XReas shocks, these things are great, the 4runner feels connected to the road without jarring your teeth out of your head. More of a sports car feel with excellent shock response. My LC has the LC luxury car ride with more sway and it even feels rougher then the 4runner on the unimproved roads that we drive. Wife thinks the 4runner rides nicer then the LC which is not cool. What shocks would you guys recommend to improve the LC ride on highway and unimproved roads so it would ride more like the 4runner? (I'm not into rock crawling so I don't need it tuned for rock crawling). I want something between a sports car ride and the current luxury car ride of the LC.

I had OME on my 80 series and they were better then the stock Toyota shocks but I don't know if the OME shocks are that good on the 100 series for what I am looking for. Also are there more then one OME shock for the 100 series?

Thanks

If no lift involved I would go Bilstein from everything I have read. OME's would be ok too.

 

[calamaridog]

I would try the Bilstein HD's or the Edlebrocks if they make them for the LC.

My experience with the Bilstein HD's in the past has been positive on other vehicles.

 

[Pigeon]

I feel what your saying, I liked how my 4runner handled much better than my land cruiser. Like you said more sporty. The LC feels more like a bus.
I wouldn't think that replacing the shocks would make a LC drive sporty.
But if it dose let me know - I'm in.

 

[jahmaka]

I set of bilsteins and TRD sway bar would be great.I can't wait have the stocks on order,have 18" wheels and waiting for the bars.

 

[SWUtah]

I feel what your saying, I liked how my 4runner handled much better than my land cruiser. Like you said more sporty. The LC feels more like a bus.
I wouldn't think that replacing the shocks would make a LC drive sporty.
But if it dose let me know - I'm in.

I think the Bilsteins should firm up the ride and make it feel a little better. I figure that the OEM shocks with 60K miles and 7 years old can't be a positive for ride/handling. I'll post after I get them on and let you know if it feels any better. Doubt it will be close to the 4runner SE with the Xreas.

 

[donco]

Has anyone purchased a set of Koni's lately? I realize they're not cheap and are only listed as special order for the 100 series on Koni's main website. Just wondering if anyone has actually obtained a set in recent history.

 

[ats4x4dotcom]

Koni wont perform as well as the bilsteins, though having said that , we will be sending some of our german bilsteins to Christo, vs the US versions you guys currently have.

Ours suit a lift, longer than the N74L OME, and use toyota bonded bushes and heavy duty fronts to stop the nut pulling through the washer on the top.

 

[ppressle]

I would second the bilstein HDs for a normal ride height cruiser. Transformed our ride from a wallowing bus to something firmer and sportier. A landcruiser is never going to drive like a sports car, but HDs do help the handling and feel.

Pete

 

[jhkilmer]

Bilstein HDs

I just checked the Bilstein site, and I only found them for the rear. What's the deal? Do I look somwhere else for the fronts? Thanks

 

[SWUtah]

I just checked the Bilstein site, and I only found them for the rear. What's the deal? Do I look somwhere else for the fronts? Thanks

Go to www.shockwarehouse.com I just order them, best price free shipment.

 

[sk8rider]

Transformed our ride from a wallowing bus to something firmer and sportier.
Pete

Nice "wallowing bus" comment. I have TRD sways but definitely want to improve the float around corners.

The Bilsteins firm things up but without rattling your teeth out, right? Aside from cornering, how is the ride quality? Just wondering about the wife test...

thanks

 

[SWUtah]

Justed installed the Bilstein HD's on my 100 series. World of difference. 200% better handling and ride. I would recommend them to anyone with over 50K miles on their oem shocks. Took the shop 2 hours to change them the rears are a bitch to get off. I paid $65 for the install

 

[ppressle]

Quote from the wife "No, the ride is fine, and the kids don't get car sick as often"

But then she has been taking the track car out recently so she may be a bit biased.

I like the change in ride quality. They make the ride more Germanic taut than American plush. You do hear and feel the bumps a bit more, but nothing objectionable.

Go for it!
Pete

 

[cdeel]

I'd say go with the Bilstiens - I just put them on my school bus (at 73k) and it makes a huge difference. Like others have said, not a sports car, but it has tamed the wallowing and made it feel much better in slow curves. The brake dive is much better too.

Now, the million dollar question: Where'd you guys who have the TRD sway bars get them, and do they help tighten up the corners? Mind you, I am not looking for a sports car, just a little more stability. (I have a suped up MINI to drive fast on the track, so don't worry, I'm not about making a 5500 pound truck corner on a dime - I just don't want to get seasick ).

 

[subspd]

Koni wont perform as well as the bilsteins, though having said that , we will be sending some of our german bilsteins to Christo, vs the US versions you guys currently have.

Ours suit a lift, longer than the N74L OME, and use toyota bonded bushes and heavy duty fronts to stop the nut pulling through the washer on the top.

Christo, let me know when you get these in how much for the deluxe lift kit w/ the Billy's.

ATS, how much more firm over the OME are these shocks?

 

[spressomon]

Christo, let me know when you get these in how much for the deluxe lift kit w/ the Billy's.

ATS, how much more firm over the OME are these shocks?

Rumor has it the extended Billy's are going to be spendy...hope it's a bad rumor

 

[subspd]

x2!!!!!!! I really wanted to go that route...

 

[sk8rider]

Now, the million dollar question: Where'd you guys who have the TRD sway bars get them, and do they help tighten up the corners? Mind you, I am not looking for a sports car, just a little more stability. (I have a suped up MINI to drive fast on the track, so don't worry, I'm not about making a 5500 pound truck corner on a dime - I just don't want to get seasick ).

I got mine from Sterling McCall Toyota in Texas. Someone had recommended them from Edmunds. $490 shipped from Japan...but that was cheaper than a few other places I called so I just went with them.

I had the bars installed pretty quickly after I got the LC so I unfortunately can't comment too much on before/after. I don't remember a HUGE difference, but I was a bit biased as I was just coming out of a highly modified IS300 (at least from a suspension perspective). Another issue though is that I replaced the sways before I replaced the shocks...so there was still quite a bit of float.

I had a set of Bilsteins put in yesterday. I need more time with the truck but my first impression is that this is the setup that should have come with the truck. NOT a Mini Cooper S (or modified IS), but MUCH more controlled overall than with the stock suspension. I like the setup.

So, if you have $500 to play with and want to experiment, adding the TRD sways obviously won't hurt. It would just be good to get some perspective who had the Bilsteins first, then added sways. Hey, and if nothing else, at least people in back of you will see a nice ORANGE sway.