2 sets of Monroe OESpectrum shocks dead in a year??

What shocks is everyone using on their 5-lug Tacomas? It's not a race-truck so I figured sticking with OE-grade shocks would fit the bill for the kind of ride quality I want, at first the truck handled great, but within 6 months the truck was back to handling like a waterbed on the freeway.

Took the shocks out, they were bad. Replaced them (Monroe doesn't honor their warranty if you buy through RockAuto), and today when I'm in there digging around I see the shock is covered in oil and collapses when I take it out, dead as could be.

I'm now replacing shocks for the third time in a year, figured I'd look elsewhere and am eyeing some KYB Excel-G's. Anyone have similar experience with Monroe? I don't take this thing offroad rallying or anything, but I drive it hard over some pretty rough roads and expect it to hold its own.

 

Ugh
Sorry

thanks for the tip thou
I will cross out Monroe

previous owner put KYB’s…..long time ago
They are still holding up

I just can’t buck up the cash for the Blisteins

The 4600’s would be my choice(5lug 2wd here)

 

Id go Bilstein all day long. I think theyre a great value shock and last a long time. I run the 5100 on my taco and FJ.

 

I'll chime in on the bilsteins, I put 4600's on after my original tokico factory shocks did their 265k tour of duty.
I've got nothing else to compare them to but I'm real happy with them. I have about 15k on them.
I got them for about $285 for all 4 out the door on Amazon.

 

Looks like I got a winner
Looks like I got to budget

 

Yup, Bilsteins would be my choice.

 

I used my Xmas money.

 

Ugh Moonrman…..
I’m having a couple bad months with the “no car payment” old cars I choose to own

ECM on taco
HG on the 01 Forester
FREAKIN AFTER I bought $550 of new tires and did TBelt job

 

I hear you brother, seems like I play the 2 steps forward 3 steps back game.

 

I put KYB Excel-G all around, the same fit and ride as the Monroe OESpectrum. 1 front and 1 back were blown after a year. I put on a new set of 4 last month but I'm probably being stupid thinking it was a bad batch and being willing to try again.

The Bilsteins I believe are stiffer for heavy loads or off roading, but supposedly really firm and not as good ride quality, so I'm often confused as to why they seem to be recommended 100% of the time here regardless of the application.

 

I understand your thinking. The reason I put them on my truck is because I have a 6 lug prerunner TRD. In my research that was the best match I felt, that compared to the original shocks on my truck.

 

these will match oem ride/feel

KYB Excel G Twin Tube Shock 343209 Fits Toyota Pickup | eBay

 

This thread should be a sticky as to testimony why everyone likes Bilsteins (and why Monroes are not that great.)

To be fair, Bilsteins weren't available for my wife's Rav4 so I went with KYB's on hers. Seem to be holding up, been over a year.

I am running these, closest to stock you'll get and no fiddling with compressors and making sure you got all the parts.

Note: These are for 6 lug, drop them an email for 5 lug, they will set you up.

 

As noted, Monroe is garbage. I wouldn’t install them unless I planned on selling the vehicle and want to provide a decent ride for the new buyer and claim the suspension is new. Other than that, KYB would be the lowest quality I’ll run in my vehicles. Bilstein will be the next option, OME and upwards from there.

 

Put Monroe quick struts on my winter/farm truck after factory rear sheared off. Happy with them 3 years out.
Put Billstiens 4600 on my 175kmi daily coming off factory set up. Felt no change in ride.
All depends on your desires. Quick Struts are fine if yours are broken and you want cheap.