Advice on Shock Absorbers

I just bought a 2002 XtraCab 4x4 TRD. The truck has the original toyota/bilstien shocks on it and I am fairly sure they are shot. The truck bashes over rough roads with a bone shaker ride and when you rock the truck up and down there is quite a lot of movement.

The local dealer quoted me $60 each for the rear and $140 each for the front toyota/bilstien shocks. I am looking for a relatively smooth ride but still capable off road and the truck is at stock height and will not be lifted at all.

Should I go with the OEM shocks for about $400, or can I do better with another option? Also, how difficult is it to replace the front shocks, I know I will need to borrow a spring compressor from somewhere but I would like to know if it is a big job aside from dealing with the springs.

Thanks,
John Jesse

 

I took a look at the 5100's it looks like I can get those shocks for $99 each for the rears and $115 each for the fronts. I wonder why the fronts are cheaper than OEM seeing as they have the ride height adjustment and the OEMs don't.

There is also the heavy duty series available for $88 each for the rears and $75 each for the fronts.

The pricing does not appear to make any sense between the different options, but oh well. Can somebody comment on specific differences between the three shock options I have listed, as stated earlier I am looking for a rice ride over rough roads but something still somewhat capable off road, I wont be doing anything too intense. Also, does anybody know how hard it is to change the front shocks?


Thanks,
John

 

Unless that price includes installation you can do A LOT better. You can get a SET of the Bilstein 5100's for the front from Wheelers Off Road ( ) or Down South Motorsports (http://downsouthmotorsports.com) for around $175-185. There is a discount code for the down south motorsports purchases. The 5100's are MUCH better than the factory Bilsteins.

 

5100s are pretty much exactly the same as the HD except they are adjustable. All depends on whether you want to level/lift the front end or not.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will probably get the Bilstein HD shocks as I have no interest in lifting the truck and they are cheaper. The prices I have ($196 for the rear set and $150 for the fronts) are from Essex Distributors who are the Bilstein Reps in Canada. Unless I can get them a LOT cheaper in the USA, the websites one poster gave only had the 5100s, I would rather order them domestically. US brokerage charges are a huge pain. Does anyone know of any local dealers in Saskatchewan?

 

5100"s x one million

 

order the 5100's from Downsouth, and have a local tire shop put them on. Total out of pocket should be less than $400

 

On my '05 the 5100s I added in back were great... under $80 each... in 2007. Only the front 5100's are adjustable.

 

i'am satisfied with them!!