ok fellas. i have a '95 4runner and i believe it's time for new shocks all around. i spent a few minutes searching reading the articles, but didn't find the info i was looking for, like part #'s.

it's probably been 4 years since i replaced the stock shocks w/ rancho 5000's. i seem to recall the fronts are 5145 and the rears i cant remember. a little longer than stock. i have the rear downey coils.

the ranchos do a good job up front, but they've always seemed to stiff in the rear. now the body leans like crazy in corners and rattles over every small bump.

lets see some part #'s for the different shocks (bilstein, rancho, kyb, etc). stock up front and a bit longer in the rear. and i'd like to avoid the way small bushings in the rear like last time. i spent way too long ramming the stud through as i couldnt find any bushings that were the right size.

Can't help you out with part numbers but I thought I would shoot my opinions out there.

I would not use Rancho's again. They just do not seem to hold up. I have broken the end off one on dirt roads and I blew one out on simmilar washboard dirt roads. Replaced them Bilsteins and they have held up very well.

Everything has taken place over the past 18 months so it is not like the shocks were that old. My local NAPA told me that this is not an uncommon story for Rancho shocks and they actually gave me my money back in credit toward the Bilsteins.

Just my 2 cents. You get what you pay for.

i didn't pay much for my rancho's and they worked ok for many years now. i only replace the shocks after the old ones are completely dead so upgrading to my current rancho's was VERY noticable

but i'm thinking maybe bilsteins or a higher dollar shock would be better, but then again maybe not.

so what are all you 2nd gen 4runner owners using?

The PO on my truck put a set from Les Scwuab (sp?) on and
they seem good for now, don't know on the long term yet as
they've only been on the truck about a year and I've only
had the truck a few months. I like them so far though,
real good control on the rough and bumpy stuff.

Bilstens are very good shocks, I've had very good luck
with them. As stated above Rancho shocks don't last so
don't waste your money there. You already know that though
if your old set only lasted 4 years. Good luck on your
search.

Regards,
Indy

Speaking of Les Schwab shocks... I've had a set on my '84 toyota for 8 years, and the previous owner purchased them a year or two before I bought the truck. That's 9 or 10 years, and they are as good today as they were when I bought the truck in 1996. If I remember right, they are the Les Schwab Mountain Ryder shocks. I believe they were made by Doetsch Tech but "relabeled" as a Les Schwab product... I will say that they are a bit too stiff for my truck. They'd be better suited for a bigger, heavier truck. I've been happy with them so far. Hard to beat Les Schwab service. My dad had one of their shocks come apart on him and they replaced free...

Ken

Yep, I think that's what mine are. Yeah, they ride very
firm, but that's what I like. Every time the wife
complains that my truck rides too rough for her I just
say 'yes...IT'S A TRUCK!" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Keeps her from driving it
too much too (I prefer it that way). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />
I think that the Bilstens would give a little softer ride.

Regards,
Indy

Well, here's my $.02

I still like my Edelbrock IAS shocks.
The're an excellent ride and no more leaning in curves.
Here's a link if you want to read about them.

Edelbrock IAS Shocks

Let us know what you end up getting.
RoadKill

I've been digging through the rancho shock chart to figure out lengths and such. i currently have the rs5145 and rs5187. it seems most people w/ my setup run the following 9000 series (now the 9000X series):

FRONT
9145 (stock length. can be spaced down for more travel)

BACK
9187 (stock length)
9017 (in between. less driveshaft interference?)
9009 (3-4" lift)

I'm debating goign w/ the 9145 and 9017 ranchos b/c it's easy and i know they work fairly well. are there bilstein charts somewhere? i don't want to end up w/ shock that's too short.

also, i've heard mention of adapters for the pin-type top mount (this months article), but never a place to buy them and a part#. are there other types out there? what about for the front?

i don't have rancho shocks, but i do recall that rancho used their warranty as a marketing differentiator...but like i said, i got no experience dealing with how well they honor the thing. But it might get you a free replacement set??? If you wanna stay with Rancho, seems to be worth a shot:
Rancho Warranty Details
Oh yeah, even tho it could be said that what we do to our rigs might not qualify as "normal operating conditions" but then again Rancho markets em to us under claims of suitability for wheeling, so there shouldn't be any issue there... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
good luck,
/natebear

Les Schwab Shocks