I'll be replacing my shocks sometime in the near future and just wanted to get everyone's opinion on some of my options. I use my truck as a daily driver(90% highway), with some mild off road driving.

I have no doubt that Bilstein HD shocks are the best out there. But they come with a very high $$$$. Not sure i want to spend that much, for the type of driving i do.

I've heard good things about Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks. They are reasonably priced.

And, i've got mixed reviews about Rancho 5000 and Pro-Comp shocks.

So, any input will be greatly appreciated!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Sick with the Billies, as the saying goes, you et what you pay for.

I recently replaced mine with Sensa-tracs. Really good ride on and off road, but I don't do any heavy wheeling, just backroads and trails to tree stands and chuffa plots, or some moderate mudding. I've hauled a few bedloads of brickchips, lava rocks, mulch, and trash since replacing, and the ride doesn't suffer much. All in all, I'm pleased with them for what I use them for.

If you do some heavy duty stuff and towing, I'd go with the Billsteins.

I haven't run a Rancho 5000 in a looooooooooooooooooooong time, are they still like putting solid steel shafts in place of the shock? Seems to be my recollection.

I think the Bilsteins will give a better service life than the Monroes, but I ran both on my '98 4Runner and liked them both, with the Billies being the preferred "stock" set-up.

Changing the front shocks CAN be challenging with plain old hand tools, you may want to do this once and be done with it if you don't have the time, tools or experience to mess with it continually. Personally, I got the time down to less than two hours changing out front springs and shocks... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

EDIT: I just noticed in your sig line that you have a lift spacer. Being unfamiliar with this particular spacer, does this fit inside the spring pack or on top of the spring pack? You MIGHT want to go with a set of OME shocks, those are very nice shocks and have a little more length for the added height of your truck.

I just thought of something- are you the original owner? If so, you might miss the OEM shocks if you do the Monroes.

I have no clue what a set of new Billsteins feel like, so I don't know if I lost or gained anything by the switch to Monroe.

From the sounds of it, you and I have similar driving styles.

Hey guys, thanks for the input. I really appreciate it.

RichinROA: I am the original owner. Sounds like we do the same type of driving.

azrain: the spacer goes on top of the spring pack. I've read enough write ups that I think I feel comfortable changing the stocks myself. I was going to rent a spring compressor from Autozone to do the fronts. The backs look to be no problem.
Plus, I installed the lift myself, which was pretty much removing/reinstalling the shocks/spring assemblies all around.

Funny thing is, i'd go get the OEM shocks, but i think i'd end up paying close to what Bilsteins cost. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Alright, I guess I'll mull it over a little.
Again, thanks for all the input guys! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

My mistake. By OEM, I was assuming your truck was a TRD that came with the Billsteins. Sorry 'bout that! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

if i did it all over again, i'd get the TRD package!!!

IMHO, I would buy the aftermarket Bilstein with your set-up.

Also, putting stock, OEM shocks BACK on a truck is a punishable crime I thought?

For years I thought OME rear shocks were great because they give you an extra inch of rear wheel travel. The trade-off is that the top stud is a fairly narrow diameter, so they fatigue and break off easier. I've killed two OME shocks that way. That's why I now use RS5000's on the back of my 4Runner because the top stud is MUCH larger diameter. The RS5000's feel exactly the same stiffness as the heavy duty rear OME's, which probably is relatively stiff.

My comments are only concerning rear shocks.