Sticky? Lets talk good shocks for a standard FJ

kokopelli · 01-25-2008, 08:50 PM

Folks,
This subject is really not addressed in the most base form. They are many threads regarding lifts and other serious off-road use, but little to none for the daily driver. I’d like to start a discussion on this very issue. My experience with the stock FJ shocks (limited) it that they are a nice soft consumer shock. My test drives of the off-road OEM Bilsteins is that the feel a little stiffer (i.e. better) when new. My doubts are that they will not last very long. My personal experience with OEM Bilsteins is that the are fine for 10-15K and then die. Who has the TRD units and how do they perform for a daily driver. I’m becoming less and less enamored with TRD products, but that’s another story. There’s not a lot out there yet, but we’d all like top hear of your experiences. Thanks Ron

Bodegas · 01-25-2008, 10:13 PM

I run the Bilsteins on my wifes Pathfinder. Same shocks that fit the FJ in the rear. I have no complaints with them. The OME springs are a little stiff for her taste but I find it better. Very responsive after many miles. Sorry I can only speak for rear bilsteins.

SupraTuRD · 01-25-2008, 10:29 PM

I've been running TRD Bilsteins in conjunction with OME 883's for levelling and a CF 1" spacer in the rear. The ride is a bit firmer than with the stock shocks, but a whole lot less "choppy" on the wash board type stuff. Offroad wise, this setup has been great do far. I'm very pleased with the setup so far.

RomaBoy · 01-25-2008, 11:48 PM

My only experience with Bilstiens have been on my Bimmer which improved the handling night and day and the ride is firm but not harsh. I went with the street model shocks (they make 3 different settings shock models) and they have lasted 50K to date. When it's time to replace my OEM shocks I'm going to try the aftermarket Bilstien shocks. I really don't want a stiffer ride though.

kokopelli · 01-26-2008, 07:12 AM

You're running the red and blue ones on the front? Ron

Quote:

SupraTuRD previously said:

I've been running TRD Bilsteins in conjunction with OME 883's for levelling and a CF 1" spacer in the rear. The ride is a bit firmer than with the stock shocks, but a whole lot less "choppy" on the wash board type stuff. Offroad wise, this setup has been great do far. I'm very pleased with the setup so far.

kokopelli · 01-26-2008, 07:16 AM

My dismal experience with Bilsteins has all been with OEM units. It could be that OEM shocks are like OEM tires (i.e. a poor example of the standard production parts). The factory likes to spec very cheap stuff and then have a big name company build them. After a few TRD happenings I'm beginning to question them as well.. Thanks Ron

Quote:

RomaBoy previously said:

My only experience with Bilstiens have been on my Bimmer which improved the handling night and day and the ride is firm but not harsh. I went with the street model shocks (they make 3 different settings shock models) and they have lasted 50K to date. When it's time to replace my OEM shocks I'm going to try the aftermarket Bilstien shocks. I really don't want a stiffer ride though.

RomaBoy · 01-26-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

kokopelli previously said:

My dismal experience with Bilsteins has all been with OEM units. It could be that OEM shocks are like OEM tires (i.e. a poor example of the standard production parts). The factory likes to spec very cheap stuff and then have a big name company build them. After a few TRD happenings I'm beginning to question them as well.. Thanks Ron

Hey Ron, Tell us more about your "TRD happenings" I'm curious as to what turned you off. Did the TRD Bilstiens start leaking on you? I love my TRD CIA but I know that they don't make that either.

kokopelli · 01-26-2008, 09:47 AM

OK.. This is not a shock experience, but it made me rethink my decision to go out and buy TRD parts.. Ron

Well... It all started when my daughter bought a scion last year. All my experience is on the DC auto side and it goes back actually to birth (i.e. raised on a car lot). They do things very differently at Toyota. It seems that they will install (personalize) anything you want on a Toyota. Of course I said "I don't want any aftermarket parts on a car when it comes off the showroom". The salesman explained to me that Toyota's ship as the ship for the most part and a large percentage of the accessories are installed after they get here. So I say, why don't they install them at the factory like DC? Most of the accessory parts are made for the US market, so they just do it here. With Toyota parts I ask, well no not always he says. The invoice, etc, seems to indicate they're Toyota parts; only Toyota branded. So not related to Japan at all, no just have Toyota stamped on the packaging sometimes and other times not. Not actually designed by Toyota, no not at all.
So I research this a little more and it seems to be the case. Next story is when I actually buy the FJ. I'm discussing the parts that it has and doesn't have with the salesman and truck manager and they say "you know that Toyota doesn't even make that part"? So I act surprised and say well then who does. They then tell me that the manufacture actually changes quite a bit and the better parts can always be ordered from them (i.e. AFE for the CAI). So I say "so the only thing you get is warranty approved parts and a surcharge", not just because it says TRD doesn't mean it won't affect your warranty. All in all, everyone at the dealership that will really talk to you does not promote TRD parts. They say it's just the TRD emblem that sells them.
The next saga is a small, but significant one for me. I order a couple of standard Toyota oil filters ($3.99) thinking that I'll do a couple of early changes with dino and a couple of the big TRD filters ($16.99) for the 5k and later changes using Mobil1. Yesterday I get the package and open it to see these big $16.99 TRD filters. I've used K&N oil filters for years, but try to keep an open mind. The TRD filter box is a cheesy thin white box with TRD and part number stamped on the side and it feels like it's empty. I mean this box would not protect anything. Lo and behold there is a filter in there, but it's so thin light and cheesy that you couldn't tell. It weighs nothing and I can squeeze the sides like a beer can (i.e. ping-ping). I have never looked at a cheaper "appearing" filter in my life. I can understand why it's high flow now, there's nothing in there. My K&N filter for the Jeep is twice as heavy and half the size. I will not be using the TRD oil filter and will sell one cheap!
So I look at the standard ($3.99) filter.. Strong box with Toyota imprinted all over the material, the filter is as heavy if not heavier than the TRD, has a pre-greased gasket and the filter is sealed to keep it fresh and crap out. All in all, very impressive if it were just a bigger!
I may go back to K&N eventually, especially if I can get one that holds a-bit more oil, but for now I'll use the standard Toyota filter. Ron

Quote:

RomaBoy previously said:

Hey Ron, Tell us more about your "TRD happenings" I'm curious as to what turned you off. Did the TRD Bilstiens start leaking on you? I love my TRD CIA but I know that they don't make that either.

SupraTuRD · 01-26-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

kokopelli previously said:

You're running the red and blue ones on the front? Ron

Yes, red/blue Bilsteins from a '07 TRD SE:

Sorry to hear about how you feel towards TRD. TRD USA is a company of it's own... not owned by Toyota. TRD Japan (much more seriously involved with motorsports compared to TRD USA) is a totally separate entity as well. As far as TRD USA is concerned, most of the products that they sell are rebadged items. Very few items (supercharger kits, strut tower braces, to name a couple) are made by TRD USA. I recall a while back, TRD USA was selling SS brake lines for the Supra... they were simply reboxed Goodridge lines. The upgraded suspension kit was just a set of bilsteins with eibach lowering springs.

In the case of the red/blue bilsteins that came standard on the '07 SE, they are Bilstein units made to Toyota's specs... I spoke to Shane at Bilstein and he was unable to give me the compression/rebound specs due to them being "proprietary".

So far I've had great success with Bilsteins... I don't think the Bilsteins supplied to Toyota are no different in quality. If they fail, I'll definitely let you folks know.

kokopelli · 01-26-2008, 09:05 PM

Thanks.. That's just the sort of information I'm looking for.. I'm one of those guys that like a firm cornering vehicle with little to no nose dive. On the other hand, I tend to drive in some interesting places like reservation roads and lake bottoms. My stock Rubicon with the MTR's would just get up and walk/skate. It really takes a very good quality and well designed shock to "cross train". Of course it has to be vehicle specific as well.

Anyone know what the flat rate book gives for a full shock install? Ron

Quote:

SupraTuRD previously said:

Yes, red/blue Bilsteins from a '07 TRD SE:

Sorry to hear about how you feel towards TRD. TRD USA is a company of it's own... not owned by Toyota. TRD Japan (much more seriously involved with motorsports compared to TRD USA) is a totally separate entity as well. As far as TRD USA is concerned, most of the products that they sell are rebadged items. Very few items (supercharger kits, strut tower braces, to name a couple) are made by TRD USA. I recall a while back, TRD USA was selling SS brake lines for the Supra... they were simply reboxed Goodridge lines. The upgraded suspension kit was just a set of bilsteins with eibach lowering springs.

In the case of the red/blue bilsteins that came standard on the '07 SE, they are Bilstein units made to Toyota's specs... I spoke to Shane at Bilstein and he was unable to give me the compression/rebound specs due to them being "proprietary".

So far I've had great success with Bilsteins... I don't think the Bilsteins supplied to Toyota are no different in quality. If they fail, I'll definitely let you folks know.