I bought my 2003 with some autostore garbage in the front (Monroe or Gabriel or some such crap - don't remember now) and the rather tired OE Sachs/Boge in the back. The damned thing was scary do drive above 35. Installed Bilstein HD 24-019118 ($203.90 for the pair from eshocks) in the front and the 24-214230 ($185.50 for the pair from eshocks) in the back. Very happy with the result. Took the bus above 100 in Texas and Arizona on the way to California this past January - and what a difference this made! It sat on the road like a flatiron on the ironing board. Also, do keep in mind that Bilstein shocks carry lifetime warranty and the company stands behind it 100%. My S6 currently rides on its 3rd set of Bilstein Sport (after 2 free warranty replacements) in the 16 years under my ownership - Bilstein replaced them each time w/o a flinch. Konis are good, but they sometimes leak. Bilsteins wear out but they don't leak. At least in my experience.
I have a 1993 GL with Bilstein HDs. They are firm but I would not want them firmer. On a heavier VR6 camper I would think they'd be even more suitable for the job.
Bilstein does make an easily-obtained, affordable, heavy-duty shock absorber (front and rear) that's a direct bolt-up option for these cars. It's what I swear by.
I ended up doing neuspeed sport springs and bilsteins. I still need to do sway bars especially rear because it has the stock push to it. It handles great and comfortable.
He went with Bilstein shocks/struts (TC) and MK3 VR6 Neuspeed SofSport springs. About 1 finger of wheel gap all the way around on 15" Steelies with 205/50's. Looks pretty good.
Bilstein Shocks with Eibach springs and Ground Control Sleeves
Get a Tacoma, then throw some Bilsteins on it (if it doesn't already have them) and a set of Michelins tires. Will ride nice.
Instead of replacing it with factor components, I decided to remove the setup in its entirety and replace it with Bilstein Sport Shocks and B&G Sport Springs. The springs are progressive which keeps a very factory-like smoothness to the ride but allows for tighter handling.
I've had my Bilsteins and double bellow rears in for about a year. Love the ride, couldn't be happier
As you all can see, the dyno showed how the TC Sport are (as also advertised) pretty close to stock, if we look at the compression. The rebound is quiet more than stock thought. But from the graphs is pretty clear that the TC is not any near the advertised 10 or 20% stiffer than stock
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