ARB | OME Nitrocharger Plus Front Shock Absorber | 4WD (1979-95 Pickup)

ARB | OME Nitrocharger Plus Front Shock Absorber

For 1979–1995 Toyota Pickup 4WD

Overview

The ARB Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Plus Front Shock Absorber provides vehicle-specific damping for Toyota Pickup 4WD front suspensions. This listing combines the 1979–1985 solid-front-axle shock and the 1986–1995 independent-front-suspension (IFS) shock into one product with clearly separated year-range choices.

The early solid-axle option is intended for matched Old Man Emu front leaf springs and approximately 2 inches of front lift. The later IFS option is intended for stock-height through approximately 2-inch-lift front suspension. These two shocks have different travel and mounting applications and must not be substituted for one another.

Key Features

• Vehicle-specific valving tuned for the applicable front suspension and spring system.
• Heavy-duty twin-tube steel construction with nitrogen gas charge.
• High-flow piston and multi-disc damping control help maintain predictable suspension response on paved roads, rough roads, and trails.
• Rubber / polyurethane mounting bushes selected for the applicable shock.
• Sold as one front shock or a matching front pair.

Nitrocharger Plus Design

Nitrocharger Plus shocks use a protective twin-tube steel body and application-specific compression and rebound damping. Their high-flow internal design and gas charge help maintain damping control through repeated suspension movement on uneven roads and trails.

For an older leaf-sprung solid axle, shock length and damping must work with the matched leaf-spring travel. For the later torsion-bar IFS suspension, the shorter front-shock application retains the factory mounting arrangement.

Stock Height & Lift Compatibility

1979–1985 Pickup 4WD, solid front axle: For a matched OME front leaf-spring system with approximately 2 inches of lift; not presented as a standard stock-height shock replacement.

1986–1995 Pickup 4WD, IFS: For factory ride height through approximately 2 inches of front lift with the factory-style shock mounting arrangement. Front height is determined by torsion-bar adjustment and the full suspension configuration.

Neither shock absorber creates lift.

Vehicle Fitment

Toyota Pickup

• 1979–1983 Toyota Pickup – 1st Gen – 4WD – Solid Front Axle – Matched OME front leaf springs / approximately 2-inch lift
• 1984–1985 Toyota Pickup – 2nd Gen – 4WD – Solid Front Axle – Matched OME front leaf springs / approximately 2-inch lift
• 1986–1988 Toyota Pickup – 2nd Gen – 4WD – Independent Front Suspension – Stock height to approximately 2-inch lift
• 1989–1995 Toyota Pickup – 3rd Gen – 4WD – Independent Front Suspension – Stock height to approximately 2-inch lift

Fitment Notes

• 4WD Pickup only; does not fit 2WD Pickup.
• 1979–1985: Factory solid front axle with matched Old Man Emu front leaf springs. Confirm the OME spring system and required shock travel before ordering. Do not select this longer shock for a stock-height vehicle without that suspension setup.
• 1986–1995: Factory independent front suspension. The standard IFS front shock can be used at stock height or with approximately 2 inches of front lift when its travel and original mount locations are retained.
• Not interchangeable across the 1985 / 1986 solid-axle-to-IFS break.
• Not for Toyota Tacoma, solid-axle-converted IFS trucks, long-travel setups, or relocated shock mounts.
• Both driver and passenger front positions use the same shock within the correct year-range choice.

Product Specifications

• Brand: ARB / Old Man Emu
• Series: Nitrocharger Plus
• Position: Front left or right
• Construction: Nitrogen-gas-charged twin-tube steel body
• Damping: Vehicle-specific; non-adjustable
• Drivetrain: Toyota Pickup 4WD
• 1979–1985 Solid-Axle Extended Length: 479 mm / 18.86 in.
• 1979–1985 Solid-Axle Compressed Length: 294 mm / 11.57 in.
• 1979–1985 Solid-Axle Mounts: Upper threaded pin / lower bushed eye
• Warranty: Three-year limited warranty

Which Front Shock Should You Buy?

KYB Excel-G — Best for Factory-Style Comfort & Value

Choose KYB Excel-G if your Toyota Pickup is at stock ride height and you want an affordable replacement that restores original-style ride comfort and handling. Its nitrogen-gas-charged twin-tube design focuses on factory-like damping rather than a firmer performance-oriented feel.

Bilstein B6 4600 — Best for Overall Stock-Height Performance

Choose Bilstein B6 4600 if you want an upgrade in suspension control while maintaining factory ride height. Its high-pressure monotube construction and digressive valving provide a firmer, more controlled response, making it an excellent choice for daily driving, highway travel, towing, and occasional off-road use.

ARB / Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Plus — Best for OME Suspension Builds & Demanding Use

Choose Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Plus if your Pickup uses a matched OME suspension system, regularly travels rough terrain, or carries additional permanent equipment. Its heavy-duty, gas-charged twin-tube design features vehicle-specific damping developed for different loads and suspension configurations.

Our Recommendation: For most Toyota Pickup owners maintaining factory ride height, Bilstein B6 4600 is our preferred all-around choice. Choose KYB Excel-G if factory-style comfort and affordability are your priorities. Choose Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Plus when your suspension setup and driving conditions call for its OME-specific damping.

Important Fitment Note: For 1979–1985 solid-front-axle Pickups, the Old Man Emu option is intended for matched OME front leaf springs with approximately 2 inches of lift—not a standard stock-height replacement. For 1986–1995 IFS Pickups, the Old Man Emu option supports stock height through approximately 2 inches of front lift when properly configured. The KYB Excel-G and Bilstein B6 4600 options listed here are intended for factory ride height.

On 1986–1988 Pickup 4WD IFS models, these front shocks also appear in the Old Man Emu Complete 2-Inch Suspension Lift Kit, which pairs the shocks with matching suspension components.

Available Configurations

1979-1985 / Single

Includes:

• (1) ARB / Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Plus front shock absorber for the 1979–1985 factory solid-axle / matched OME leaf-spring suspension configuration
• Manufacturer-supplied shock mounting bushings / washers / fittings for 1 shock

1979-1985 / Pair

Includes:

• (2) ARB / Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Plus front shock absorbers for the 1979–1985 factory solid-axle / matched OME leaf-spring suspension configuration
• Manufacturer-supplied shock mounting bushings / washers / fittings for 2 shocks

1986-1995 / Single

Includes:

• (1) ARB / Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Plus front shock absorber for the 1986–1995 factory IFS suspension configuration
• Manufacturer-supplied shock mounting bushings / washers / fittings for 1 shock

1986-1995 / Pair

Includes:

• (2) ARB / Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Plus front shock absorbers for the 1986–1995 factory IFS suspension configuration
• Manufacturer-supplied shock mounting bushings / washers / fittings for 2 shocks

Not Included: Front leaf springs, torsion bars, factory lower mounting bolts, or other suspension-lift components. Select the correct year range; Single and Pair differ only in purchased quantity.