Choosing Shocks for Your 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner
Bilstein - 4600 Factory Replacement
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
One of the aftermarket ride control standards in shock absorbers, Bilstein has designed these shocks to improve handling and ride control, while maintaining relative comfort compared to a softer factory-like shock. Exceptionally long life and dependability, the Bilstein 4600 is not only great for the daily driver, but also capable of towing, hauling loads, and easy offroad trails.
Pros
- Excellent factory upgrade for improved handling
- Long lasting, very durable
- Reduces nose dive and body roll
- Capable for heavy duty use, easy 4x4 trails
Cons
- Firmer than stock-like shocks
- Higher tier shock, higher price
- Yellow isn’t everyone’s favorite color
KYB - Gas-A-Just
Daily Driver, Tow/Haul
$$$$
KYB’s Gas-a-Just shock is a factory upgrade, utilizing a monotube high pressure gas design that improves handling and other performance factors for your vehicle. These shocks have a better lifespan than most factory-replacement shocks, and provide noticeable ride quality improvements.
Pros
- Increased handling and performance over factory shocks
- Longer lifespan than Excel-G and factory shocks
- Monotube design translates to more consistency
Cons
- More road feedback
Bilstein - 5100 Series, 46mm Piston
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
One of the best selling shocks for the Truck, SUV, and Jeep market, the Bilstein 5100 excels at daily drivability mixed with off-road capability. Slightly firmer than the 4600 series, and firmer than a stock-like shock, these high-pressure gas shocks offer improved handling on lifted vehicles and improved response with larger wheels & tires.
Pros
- Leveling-Kit ability for certain apps
- Great off-road capable shock upgrade
- Durable, long lasting
- Improved handling on & off-road
- Heavy Duty, Tow, Haul capable
Cons
- Firmer than stock-like shocks
- Performance Shock, higher price
KYB - Monomax
Daily Driver, Tow/Haul
$$$$
The Monomax shock is KYB’s heavy duty shock absorber meant for workhorse trucks or offroad vehicles that see tough terrain. These shocks have increased compression and rebound damping to account for heavy loads, larger wheels & tires, or aggressive terrain.
Pros
- Excellent heavy duty shock for the price
- Increases handling and performance significantly
- Monotube high gas pressure design, great longevity
Cons
- Not a "smooth riding shock" - increases road feedback
- Red may not match your vehicle well.
Rancho - RS9000XL
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
The adjustable RS9000XL shock has been around for decades at this point, proving just how versatile and useful these shocks are to the truck and Jeep market. Being able to adjust the ride quality from soft to firm at will provides big benefits to drivers of heavy duty rigs, offroaders, and workhorse vehicles.
Pros
- Control for soft or firm compression damping
- Thick bodied, large oil volume
- Excellent adjustable shock for the price
- 90-day Ride Guarantee by Rancho
Cons
- Knobs prone to breakage, we replace them for free
- Adjustment settings are imperceptible for some drivers
Bilstein - 6112 Series, 60mm Piston
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
A new addition to Bilstein’s arsenal, the 6112 shock is equipped with a massive 60mm active piston and 2.6” shock body, providing exceptional off-road capability and handling. This shock is aimed solely at the adventurer, offroader, and overlander that sees a lot of dirt, but also doesn’t want to sacrifice daily driver comfort.
Pros
- Leveling Height Adjustments
- 60mm piston, “best in class”
- Price-to-Shock ratio through the roof, 2.6” shock & spring less expensive than 2” coilovers
- Massive off-road ride upgrade, improved road handling and comfort
- Long lasting, durable, serviceable
Cons
- Does not come pre-assembled from Bilstein
- Requires coil-spring compressor for installation
Eibach - Pro-Truck
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
Eibach has unmatched capabilities in the light truck and Jeep market, providing exact matches of dampers and springs for many applications. Designing and manufacturing both the shocks and coil springs for these kits in house, gives Eibach the edge by perfectly matching spring rates and damping requirements for a given application.
Pros
- Height adjustable shocks allow for leveling your truck
- Monotube design provides consistent fade free performance
- Perfectly matched springs and shocks in a single package
Cons
- Still requires coil spring compressor
Old Man Emu - Nitrocharger
Off-Road, Daily Driver
$$$$
Old Man Emu’s Nitrocharger and nitrocharger sport shocks are developed in some of the toughest off-road conditions around the outback of Australia. Old Man Emu and ARB have developed a comfortable daily-driver ride, with the ability to eat up washboard roads, rutted trails, and unpredictable terrain.
Pros
- Exceptional durability
- Excellent for adventure vehicles
- Improved handling and performance
Cons
- Not a smooth riding shock
- Firmer than factory replacements
ICON - Stage 1 Coilovers
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
Step into improved handling and comfort for your daily drive and dirt activities. Through ICON’s digressive valving, this leads to improved handling without sacrificing too much ride comfort in the pursuit of spirited driving and high performance.
Pros
- Improved handling on and off-road
- Built for moderate to high speed
- Rebuildable and serviceable
- Can upgrade through higher stages
Cons
- Requires servicing for optimum performance
- Off-road focused, may be too firm for daily-driver only