Torsion bars/shock advice 1995 4Runner...Thanks!!!

Hi,

First off, thanks for the all the support and advice during my recent eBay purchase and drive back to Texas from Colorado experience with my new to me 4Runner.

I am slowly getting it sorted out and it has become my daily driver. Besides some electrical issues due to previous owner adding a giga-Chad sized amp and subwoofer in the back and running a little warmer than what I expect, its been good. I have found that parts are relatively easy to come by to include OEM.

Last weekend my son and I took the 4Runner down some rough dirt roads around the neighborhood where I live and the front suspension is just mush. The previous owner added a "Fat Bob's" 2 inch coils and shocks in the rear back in 2017 however nothing up front except I guess adjusting the torsion bars?

What advice do you all have for daily driver, and occasional light off roading on dirt roads?

Bilstein B6 4600's? Set of 4.

Torsion bars? There is a slight bumping noise when I first put the car in drive and start to accelerate. Not sure if that is a sign of a worn torsion bar? Are they a pain to replace?

Thanks in advance,
Jones

 

Torsion bars are a pain to change safely if you dont have a torsion removal tool. I’m not sure if torsion bars wear out, I’ve always just cranked them up. Dobinsons has new torsion bars and twin tube shock that go with them.

 

Thank you!

I am a retired USMC tanker and yeah, torsion bars were a major pain to change as well, even after breaking track and removing road wheels.

I will swap out the shocks first and see how it goes? I am still leaning towards Bilstein's. I am not planning on driving my 4Runner aggressively off road. I cannot afford to fix what breaks.

 

Shocks go a long way. I had most brands of decent shocks at one time or another. I’ve never had a problem with Bilstein other than finding them.

 

When I bought my truck the shocks were worn out, the springs sagged and I knew I was going to add weight to the front end, armor, bumper and winch. I went with an Old Man Emu 2” lift kit, springs, shocks and torsion bars. I really like the ride quality both on and off-road. I have 20K miles on them, 80% is off-road and it still rides like new. OME has been designing suspension components specifically for this vehicle for a long time. The spring rates and shock dampening is well sorted.

I don’t think your clunk noise is coming from the torsion bars, probably something else worn out. If you decide to the change the torsion bars, it is easy unless you have rust. The only special tools you need are jack stands and a floor jack.

About 20 years ago I installed Bilstein’s on my 1992 Toyota pickup and I did not like the ride, way to stiff for me. But that was 20 years ago…