Upgrade Shocks on TRD Pemium?

Hello,

I am brand spanking new to my 23’ 4Runner and this forum. I am wondering if I should upgrade the stock shocks (no KDSS) to some higher end shocks (maybe Fox?)? The stock shocks are pretty stiff and I have had the vehicle kick out when doing 65 down the highway, hitting a bump in the road and going around a shallow curve. Scared the s@*t out of me and was hoping my wife didn’t feel it. If it helps, I bought the vehicle for overlanding. So, plan to be off road when I can. Any help/thoughts would be appreciated .

 

Depending on what kind you go with, aftermarket shocks can be anywhere from a good to amazing difference in ride quality. The OEM Tokico shocks are functional, but nothing special. When people do shocks, a lift is usually involved, too. This is a great article full of information on shocks and suspension upgrades: https://trail4runner.com/2020/12/18/top-10-5th-gen-4runner-suspension-lift-kits/

 

Welcome. If your rear end is kicking out on bumps, I’d check your tire pressure first. Some dealers will leave it at the port inflated 50psi and not change it.

 

This, check the pressure, normally new runners feel soft and promote sea sickness.

 

This is a first stiff stock shocks.

Usually the other way around.

 

My '23 ORP with KDSS also appears to have stiff shocks compared to my previous '21 Venture. Doesn't kick out, though.

 

The menu and choices here are endless. Go to shock surplus and see how they break this down.

 

if you think stock shocks are stiff wait until you get some mono tubes on there.

 

Welcome to the forum! So many shocks, so do your research, my budget (fixed income) keeps me looking at Bilstein 5100’s. Good luck!

 

My Accord Hydrid Touring has a pretty smooth ride. Just throwing that out there.

 

Any after market shock is going to be stiffer than the factory OEM.
So if you find the stock stuff, the others will be bone jarring.
Check your tyre pressure.

 

Yeah I would check your tire pressure. OEM shocks are about the softest option available.

I had 5100s on for the last 40k miles and just swapped them for new OEM shocks.

The Bilsteins were too stiff for me. I thought about looking at a progressive or linear shock but just took the lazy route.

Plus I could never get more than 2.3 degrees of caster with the +.85” on my stock UCAs and don’t want to swap those for aftermarket.

 

Have you ever owned a RWD vehicle with a solid rear axle before?

What you are describing is sort of how it goes.

 

My thoughts too. If you think the stock shocks are stiff, your not gonna like the aftermarket options.

 

I’ve yet to experience aftermarket shocks on this platform that were softer than the OEM Tokico’s. I agree with the few posters above, first check your tire pressure and make sure they’re set to the recommended PSI you’ll find on the door sticker. If that doesn’t help, research some better tire options and aim for something known to have a softer sidewall.

Most mono tubes will have a stiffer ride compared to factory, no matter what the marketing material claims. I’ve read the Dobinsons Twin Tubes and the Ironman 4x4 Nitro’s tend to be on the “softer” side for aftermarket, but even those will likely result in a stiffer/more planted drive.

Keep in mind, the 4Runner is essentially a truck without the bed, so the driving dynamics will mimic such…

 

Thanks to all for the responses! The article posted by @TRDSD is an excellent read! Thank you for that.

As far as the tire pressure, tires are set at 32F -31R psi. I just did my first oil change yesterday and that is what the Toyota dealership set them to. This begs the question... Are my tires filled with air or nitrogen (I forgot to ask the dealership)? I have heard that nitrogen rides a little rougher than air? The stems don't look like air so I am assuming that they are filled with nitrogen.

This is my first truck in a long time, so I know there are some things I need to get used to. I am also in a big learning curve. I did a lot of research before I purchased my 4Runner, but I am still trying to get up to speed on many of its inner workings.

 

That valve stems would be different for regular air vs. nitrogen is a new one on me.

 

Not the stems but I've seen caps that are green to indicate nitrogen. I've never heard of it riding harsher - just more stable PSI when there are temperature swings.

Really curious about it seeming to ride harsh because as others have posted, the OEMs typically are labeled soft and mushy

 

Hey OP, welcome here dude!! You're in a heck of good place for 4R knowledge. Very humble reply, ain't no different than most of us you'll get there

 

Can / did you check them yourself?

there is a display on the dash that shows live tire psi. I would expect to see like 36-39 psi reported live after 15 min of driving.

 

Welcome!

My last 2 T4R's had tires from dealership with nitrogen. Caps were green. Tire pressure with nitrogen will not increase or decrease with heat and cold like when filled with air.
Just seems strange you stated the rear kicked out on you. If it did, you still have nanny features to help prevent that unless you are really on treacherous terrain.

As stated Tokico shocks are very soft, compared to Billsteins or Eibachs, If you get higher on the shock food chain, you can get softer and harder out of the same shock.....but that's another thread.

 

another comment to add to the very helpful and consistent group input is "stiffness" vs" control", for solid rear axle cars, aftermarket shocks usually can provide better control and less likely to kick out, it's not clear how high end you'll have to go or what technical design can achieve the best control, also, for full improvement on control, you'd probably have to swap out all four shocks. For entry level and with an established name brand, old man emu nitrocharger sport works for me for the rear, I kept stock spring as I don't want a lift and the spring will make it feel stiffer. I did go down the wrong path by installing the BP-51 for front which significantly improved quality (and you can adjust it to kind of restore stock quality, and yet, still with better control), just that the BP51 involves a minimum 3" lift if you don't have added front weight. I learned this the hard way.

 

Bilstein 6112/5160

 

I recently went with this setup and like it!

 

That’s the setup I had on my 2014 T4R. Was very satisfied. Never had any kick out!

 

Never ridden in an 80's Lincoln or Cadillac huh?

 

Our atmosphere is 78% N2.

 

We used to have an El Dorado - late 80s, so FWD.

Our 300E would definitely do a little hop if you had the right set of circumstances.