3rd Gen 4runner Shock Advise

[Goin]

I have been running tokico trekmmaster shocks for the last 4-5 years (60K miles) and I think the front shocks have finally worn out. I was never overly impressed with the ride I got. I am thinking that the springs are probably ok, but the ride has gotten even worse on and offroad as well as a noise is noticable when the suspension moves. I am running the OME 881 with the small toytec top plate spacer in front and OME 890s in back.

What would you suggest I replace to make sure I get the best bang for my buck? Money is definatly a consideration or else I would go for the full icon setup. Any feedback available for the following options?

Replace front shocks: OME fronts ($260), Bilstein adjustable ($200), sonoran steel special valved bilsteins (not sure if available alone), tokico ($125)

Any reviews on the toytec coilovers? They are more $ than I really want to spend but could maybe spend if they are worth it ($750ish). I would probably not do the rear shocks for a while if I spend this much.

Thanks

Some pics

 

[FLYFISHEXPERT]

I have been very happy with the OME Nitrocharger struts. I am running 882s with them for over a year now. I have found this to be a good combination with the LX450 coils and OEM shocks I have in the rear.

I chose the OME Nitrocharger for simplicity, I heard bad things about having to rebuild coilovers.

 

[Goin]

Thanks, yeah rebuilding coilovers is not ideal. The toytec coil over claims maintanence free, but I am not sure what the life is.
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.ph...tegory_id=127&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

 

[CYi5]

OME is your simplest bet. I love my DR's, but plan on ~$300 rebuild every couple years for coilovers.

 

[98roamer]

I too am running the tokico trekmasters with 50k on them and I am surprised how bad they've become. I running OME 880 in the front and OME 906 in the rear of the 4runner. I've been reading as much as possible about what shocks/struts to go with for the best ride. I've read about some of the OME failures, but still a lot more good than bad. Subscribing...

 

[enzo]

Pm sent

 

[Goin]

Enzo - back at you.

98roamer - interesting that you are noticing the same decline in the tokico's. Sonoran steel used to put them out with all their 7.0 lifts and I havnt heard about them wearing before.

Cyi5 and Flyfish - thanks for your insight. I will probably go with the OME.

Is the thought that the "OME front shocks contribute to cv failure" still out there?

Still interested in any other reviews out there.

 

[tacollie]

I say OME. The only time I have issues with cv failure was running 882 coils and no diff. drop and no added weight in the front.

 

[FLYFISHEXPERT]

I say OME. The only time I have issues with cv failure was running 882 coils and no diff. drop and no added weight in the front.

I have had failures on both inner boots with 882's with diff. drop with no added weight. I attribute the failures to the age of the boots. They both failed, nearly the same time, at the end of this past winter, ~9 months after the installation.

 

[Premier Air Filters]

Go for the billies, great ride!

 

[Goin]

Thanks for the responses. Got the OME's on order and will report back once I get them installed.

 

[Goin]

I installed the OME shocks on Sunday and have really been enjoying the improved ride. I took out the small top plate spacers I was running before and I still seem to have a fairly even lift. I think the OME shocks are a bit longer than the tokicos were.

 

[98roamer]

So a noticeable improvement on the ride quality with the new OME shocks?

 

[Goin]

Definately an improvement over the worn tokicos, however it's not like I'm riding on a magical cloud where bumps don't exist. I think my front shocks (particularly the passenger side) were much worse than the rear. I probably could have gotten away with just replacing the front shocks with new Tokicos and saved a lot of money for only a slightly worse ride. Hopefully the OME shocks will shine in durability and long term performance.