Which shocks to use? Getting 1" - 2" lift

[peterdouglas]

First, I did a search on this site, but nobody has the exact same scenario as me. My friend is getting me new springs made that could give about 1 or 2 inches of lift over the STOCK height (not over the sagged out current height). We could take out a leaf, but I'd rather not unless the truck's new height will look dorky with my 30" BFG AT KO tires. I'd also like a bit more height for occasional weekend offroad fun. FYI: i'm getting all new bushings, OEM Toyota parts.

So... what do you think would be a good shock absorber to go for? My friend tells me the current ones might be too short, plus they're kind of old and who knows what brand. Many people like the Rancho 5000 series. Shock absorbers aren't something you change often, so I may splurge. But, if there's something good for not much more money, I'm interested.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Hey Peter!

It's my understanding that stock Toyota would be fine in this setup and pretty reasonable too.

 

[peterdouglas]

Hey Peter!

It's my understanding that stock Toyota would be fine in this setup and pretty reasonable too.

I hadn't seriously considered shocks from Toyota. My friend told me we'd pick up some aftermarket shocks somewhere. But, I just gave the Toyota dealer a call. Their OEM shocks would be about 30% cheaper than Rancho 5000 series shocks. They guy at the Toyota dealer said the OEM shocks are comparable to aftermarket replacements, but not really high end. He also agreed they should be OK for about 1" of lift.

To be honest, I really don't know what the ride height will be, or what it was when new. Does anyone know the stock ride height for a 60 series when they were new (before the suspension gets saggy)?

 

[Amber00Dak]

im a fan of Bilstein shocks but if you think the Ranchos are expensive, don't bother looking into them. IMO, Ranchos are the cheap shocks

im curious...why do you have such small tires? my suspension is stock and im running 31s w/o any issues.

 

[peterdouglas]

im a fan of Bilstein shocks but if you think the Ranchos are expensive, don't bother looking into them. IMO, Ranchos are the cheap shocks

im curious...why do you have such small tires? my suspension is stock and im running 31s w/o any issues.

Normally I don't try to cut corners, but this week and next week I've got so many expenses that I was hoping to stretch my money a bit further. Or, if I can wait and use the old shocks a bit longer, then maybe I'll go for something more high end later.

I chose BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO tires in size 30x9.5R15 as compromise between traction, looks and overall diameter, plus it was the smallest size in a flotation tire. I've got the gutless 3B 4 cylinder diesel engine, and others here with a 3B warned me that the bigger the tire, the slower and more gutles. Since they're new (just got them a few months ago), they're staying on for a while. Even when it comes time to replace them, I may still go with the same size again. I'm very happy with these tires, just don't want them to look funny and small with a lift, even though it would be mostly a cosmetic thing.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

why do you have such small tires?

Amber00Dak, the difference between 30 & 31's is tough to detect by eye, no difference worth noting.

 

[hks3sgte]

My vote goes to Toyota shocks... They are made by Tokico.

You'll love them! Plus, they're very reasonably priced!

 

[Mace]

Funny, I have never liked the stock shocks that came on 60's.

Unless thay have changed considerably over the years, I would do something else.

Rancho's are not great shocks but are cheap. If you want a performance shock that is stock length (what you need) then go Billstein.

 

[peterdouglas]

My vote goes to Toyota shocks... They are made by Tokico.

You'll love them! Plus, they're very reasonably priced!

Hmmm, I may just get those then! For $10 less (per shock) I found a place locally that can get Monroe shocks, but for such a small difference in price, I'd get Toyota shocks. My main concern is that they will be long enough if there's a bit of a lift with the new springs.

Funny, I have never liked the stock shocks that came on 60's.

Unless thay have changed considerably over the years, I would do something else.

Rancho's are not great shocks but are cheap. If you want a performance shock that is stock length (what you need) then go Billstein.

Any shocks have to be better than what I've got on there now!
Again, I don't want to cut corners and go cheap, but this week, I'll have to see what's in the budget.

 

[agent orange]

I would run as long of a shock as you can, like find out the length of the shock with the truck sitting on the bumpstop and run a shock with a compressed length maybe an inch shorter. That way your droop wont be limited and you wont have to get new shocks if you ever want more lift.

Put it this way, ive got in the neigborhood of 3 inches of lift with stock bumpstops and my shocks dont bottom out. In fact, i think they could be a touch longer. So i would buy as long of a shock as you can fit so you wont have to buy again down the road.

-Matt

 

[peterdouglas]

Put it this way, ive got in the neigborhood of 3 inches of lift with stock bumpstops and my shocks dont bottom out. In fact, i think they could be a touch longer.

Did you get shocks that are longer than stock, and if so, do you recall how long they are (or how much additional length versus the stock shock absorber)?

Thanks!

Peter

 

[agent orange]

Yeah, they are longer than stock. They are heckethorn/rough country nitro charged, im pretty pleased them.

Let me look and see if i can find the part numbers.