Choosing Shocks for your Toyota 4Runner

There's a substantial amount of options out there for the 5th Gen 4Runner. Our own time on this platform is to help inform what shocks will work for your use case; whether that's more daily driven comfort, handling heavier loads or towing, or pure offroad performance. We've driven all major brands like Bilstein, Fox, Icon, King, and Eibach on the 2010-2024 4Runner to help you figure out what to run on your own.
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Introducing

4Runner Buyer's Guide Video

We break down the pros and cons of the most popular Toyota 4Runner suspension upgrades.

Daily Driver Shock Recommendations
The following shocks give comfort and control on road for your every day driving needs
KYB Strut Plus Shocks & Spring Assembly + Rear Excel-G Shocks Set for 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner 4WD
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Overview
KYB's Strut Plus assembled shocks and springs are the perfect DIY install option to restore factory-like ride quality. If you want to refresh the coil springs and shocks on your 2010-2024 4Runner, KYB's Strut Plus or Truck Plus (Leveling kit option) gives that softer, more comfort oriented feel when compared to more popular monotube options.
Price

1 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Easy install, no coil spring compressor required
  • Factory replacement for original ride quality
  • Vehicle specific fitment and tuning
Cons
  • Extremely limited for performance or heavier duty use
  • Will not increase ride or performance beyond OE whatsoever
Bilstein 4600 Monotube OEM Shocks Set for 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner 4WD RWD
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Overview
The Bilstein 4600 is the monotube 2in upgrade over the standard twin tube shocks offered from the factory on the 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner. A step up in handling and body-sway reduction, these shocks give you more road feel and confidence. While these are a stock-like ride, they dont ride as soft as a twin tube option like KYB or Monroe.
Price

2 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Excellent factory upgrade for improved handling
  • Long lasting, very durable
  • Reduces nose dive and body roll
  • Capable for heavy duty use, easy 4x4 trails
Cons
  • Firmer than stock-like shocks
  • Higher tier shock, higher price
  • Yellow isn't everyone's favorite color
Eibach Pro-Truck Sport Strut & Shocks Set for 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner 4WD RWD w/0-2.5" lift
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Overview
Eibach Pro Truck Shocks for the 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner has earned one of our top recommendation spots due to their balanced approach to damping; not too firm and not too soft. These shocks subdue all the sharp road feel and trail chatter meaningfully, while producing slightly improved handling over stock, and a big improvement in offroad ability in terms of handling the 4Runner at higher speeds.
Price

2 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Height adjustable shocks allow for leveling your truck
  • Monotube design provides consistent fade free performance
  • Perfectly matched springs and shocks in a single package
Cons
  • Still requires coil spring compressor
Hauling / Towing Shock Recommendations
The following shocks give you the on-road stability and control necessary for hauling and towing loads
Old Man Emu MT64 Shocks Kit for 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner (2.5in Lift)
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Overview
Old Man Emu's MT64 shock is the thickest body shock in this entire lineup, with a 2.8in bore and 64mm piston. From our tests of this shock on the Toyota platform, these MT64 shocks give great comfort even when the terrain gets rough and chunky offroad. For 4Runner drivers looking to support heavy loads, overlanding, or towing - these are a fantastic option that can also handle the heat on spirited driving sessions offroad.
Price

4 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Class leading 2.8in body and 64mm piston
  • Superior aluminum construction, extremely durable components, 3 year warranty
  • Adjustable height up to 2in or 3in over factory height
Cons
  • Premium price for non-reservoir, non-serviceable shocks
Bilstein 5100 Shocks Set for 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner 4WD RWD w/0-2.5" lift
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Overview
The Bilstein 5100 is our go-to options for 2010-2024 4Runner owners looking to carry heavier loads or tow a trailer. Bonus points for being able to level out the front of the vehicle by 2-2.5in. These shocks produce significant handling improvement compared to anything stock, and handles the rear coil spring suspension when you've got 500+ pounds in the back whether through extra loads or tongue weight.
Price

2 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Leveling-Kit ability for certain apps
  • Great off-road capable shock upgrade
  • Durable, long lasting
  • Improved handling on & off-road
  • Heavy Duty, Tow, Haul capable
Cons
  • Firmer than stock-like shocks
  • Performance Shock, higher price
Rancho 2" Quicklift & RS9000XL Adjustable Shocks Set for 2003-2024 Toyota 4Runner
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Overview
Rancho's Quicklift & RS9000XL shock set does double duty as a 2in leveling kit for the front of your 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner, as well as being adjustable for all manners of ride quality needs. Through the compression adjusters on the shocks, you can dial up or down the compression of the shocks to address daily driven comfort, or firmer damping needs to haul, tow, or offroad.
Price

2 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Install ready out of the box
  • Optimal method to level your vehicle
  • Ride Comfort adjustability
Cons
  • Firmer ride over factory shocks and springs
  • Adjustment settings are imperceptible for some drivers
Off-Road Shock Recommendations
The following shocks have the durability and longevity you need for tough terrain
King Shocks - 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner
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Overview
Pictured at the top of this guide, is us testing a 2023 Toyota 4Runner on King Shocks, in our Johnson Valley stamping grounds of high speed desert terrain. While King excels in these scenarios, they also deliver good daily driven comfort and handling improvements.
Price

4 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • One of the highest performing shocks available for OE apps
  • Serviceable, Rebuildable, Custom Tuning Available
  • Compression adjustment and reservoir options
  • Badass Blue color
Cons
  • Lacking on features from competitors
  • Requires servicing between 30-50k miles for optimum performance
Bilstein 8112 Coilovers & 8100 Shocks Lift System 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner 4WD RWD
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Overview
Bilstein's 8112 shocks for the 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner are one of our recent favorites for drivers that dont want to give up daily driven comfort, while maintaining offroad handling superiority. With the position sensitive design of these shocks, along with optional Dual Speed Adjustment, these shocks equip your 4Runner to handle pretty much anything you throw at them.
Price

4 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • High tech position sensitive design, extremely high longevity (100k miles)
  • Height adjustable up to 3in of lift over factory
  • Triple Adjustment available for next level performance
Cons
  • Price sensitive buyers need not apply
  • Conservative travel lengths when compared to race-level competitors
Fox 2.0 Performance Series Coilovers & Shocks Set for 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner 4WD RWD 2-3" Rear
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Overview
If you drive your 4Runner in the dirt often, or on very uneven and rough pavement, the Fox 2.0 addresses the sharp and harsh feedback that stock shocks aren't able to reduce. These adjustable height coilovers can also provide 2in of additional lift to the front of your 4Runner, removing the factory nose-down rake.
Price

3 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Coilovers provide Leveling-kit ability
  • Excellent High Performance entry level shock
  • Handles hard hits well
  • Improves handling and traction in all terrains
  • Rebuildable / Serviceable
Cons
  • Higher price point compared to similar offerings
  • Requires servicing for optimal performance
  • Firmer than factory and other factory-like upgrades
Eibach Pro-Truck Stage 2R - 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner
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Overview
The Eibach Stage 2R Kit is designed for 4Runner drivers that want to maintain factory-like comfort, but improve the handling around the edges. Unlike Bilstein's aggressive valving, Eibach takes a more balanced approach to soak up the small bumps, while producing better overall handling compared to stock. The rear reservoir shocks in this kit help with heat buildup in hot offroad environments, where normal IFP shocks may see fade over prolonged periods of hard use.
Price

3 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Front coilovers are height adjustable on the truck, with included spanner wrench
  • Reservoir shocks provide more heat capacity in the rear of the vehicle that sees more shaft speeds when compared to the front
  • Excellent durability for long life, no maintenance required
Cons
  • Expensive package for what you get, there are 2.5 IFP options for only a few hundred more
Icon 0-3.5" Suspension System Stage 1 Kit for 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner 4WD RWD
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Overview
Icon shocks often provide the most shock travel out of any brand, both allowing great offroad performance and additional lift height on your 4Runner. If you're looking to increase the front ride height by a significant amount, Icon has designed their shocks to allow significant gain, up to 3.5 inches on the 2010-2024 4Runner. This amount of height-gain is longer than most of the competition. Icon's digressive-hybrid approach increased handling for the daily drive, while softening up when the speeds pickup in the dirt on the weekend.
Price

4 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Improved handling on and off-road
  • Built for moderate to high speed
  • Rebuildable and serviceable
  • Can upgrade through higher stages
Cons
  • Requires servicing for optimum performance
  • Off-road focused, may be too firm for daily-driver only
Old Man Emu BP-51 Bypass Coilovers + Rear Internal Bypass Shocks Set for 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner w/0-3" lift
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Overview
One of the softest shocks we've ever tested at Shock Surplus, the Old Man Emu BP51 shocks for the 2010-2024 4Runner can deliver the pillowy comfort that a package at this price assumes. With internal bypass for a comfortable daily ride zone, mixed with compression and rebound adjustment - these shocks can be pillowy on command. While these shocks can be very soft, adjustment of the settings can adapt to any load and any terrain, to give very confident and tight handling behaviors.
Price

4 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Compression adjustment to handle varying vehicle loads or tough terrain
  • Rebound adjustment to pair against compression for comfort control
  • Internal Bypass addresses comfort in every-day driving conditions
Cons
  • Compression/Rebound Adjustment is slightly tougher to change than competitors
Fox 2.5 Performance Elite Shocks Set for 2003-2024 Toyota 4Runner
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Overview
Fox Performance Elite shocks for the 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner are the true performance option for drivers that do 'everything' with their 4Runner. With multiple adjustments that affect small and big-bump feel, the driver can choose how soft or firm the shocks respond over various terrains. These shocks are truly 'Performance' oriented - delivering a sportier and tighter handling feel when compared to stock. Not harsh, but also not 'pillowy' that some drivers may expect at this price point. There's only a handful of shocks in this guide that can take the desert terrain at 30+ mph through rough terrain, and this is one of them.
Price

4 dollar signs out of 4

$$$$
Pros
  • Height adjustable up to 2in or 3in over factory height
  • Low and High speed compression adjustment
  • Aluminum body shocks to prevent rust and battle corrosion
  • Shocks can be rebuilt and serviced to completely refresh their lifespan
Cons
  • Tighter handling response than what some drivers expect, out of the box