Bilstein HDs at stock height?

[judeOchop]

Hi there, 1996 Limited with auto trans, 151k miles, completely stock checking in. My 4Runner also appears to still have the OE Tokicos on. I noticed some floating on the highway, and some cupping on my tires and figured struts might be a good place to start to repair the combination of those issues.

So, after reading many threads on replacing struts (which I've done on other cars) I ordered up some Bilstein HDs (part no. 24-187244) from autoplicity.com. I took one out of the box today and thought "dang, that looks longer than my stock strut..." So i ran it out to hold the new strut (still bound in the plastic strap) next to the strut one the 4Runner, and it appears longer.

At the risk of sounding completely stupid: does is seem longer because it isn't in the assembly - or have I just ordered the wrong part?

 

[packweco]

Hi there, 1996 Limited with auto trans, 151k miles, completely stock checking in. My 4Runner also appears to still have the OE Tokicos on. I noticed some floating on the highway, and some cupping on my tires and figured struts might be a good place to start to repair the combination of those issues.

So, after reading many threads on replacing struts (which I've done on other cars) I ordered up some Bilstein HDs (part no. 24-187244) from autoplicity.com. I took one out of the box today and thought "dang, that looks longer than my stock strut..." So i ran it out to hold the new strut (still bound in the plastic strap) next to the strut one the 4Runner, and it appears longer.

At the risk of sounding completely stupid: does is seem longer because it isn't in the assembly - or have I just ordered the wrong part?

I'm in the process of doing this exact same thing (just took my stock struts out today!) and I ordered the same part number. Just replaced the rears yesterday with the 4600s and they also had the green strap on them. The strap doesn't actually compress the shock at all, or if it does, just slightly. This is probably to keep pressure off of the valve inside the shock. This means that your shock is fully extended, which is why it looks so long.

I think you're good to go. I noticed there are no upper bushings in the shock box, so I'm contending with that right now.

 

[Millerad1651]

Ya, you're fine. The HDs are an almost stock replacement. They are made for the 4Runner and no lift.

 

[judeOchop]

Thanks for the reply - I was concerned that the strap was holding it closed, so that's good to know.

I didn't order upper bushings (or any bushings for the strut, just sway bar bushings to replace at the same time...) - do those strut bushings need to be replaced?

 

[packweco]

Thanks for the reply - I was concerned that the strap was holding it closed, so that's good to know.

I didn't order upper bushings (or any bushings for the strut, just sway bar bushings to replace at the same time...) - do those strut bushings need to be replaced?

My bushings were all cracked up, so I just got new ones today. Just depends what kind of shape they are in.

 

[sugjavier]

Hi there, 1996 Limited with auto trans, 151k miles, completely stock checking in. My 4Runner also appears to still have the OE Tokicos on. I noticed some floating on the highway, and some cupping on my tires and figured struts might be a good place to start to repair the combination of those issues.

So, after reading many threads on replacing struts (which I've done on other cars) I ordered up some Bilstein HDs (part no. 24-187244) from autoplicity.com. I took one out of the box today and thought "dang, that looks longer than my stock strut..." So i ran it out to hold the new strut (still bound in the plastic strap) next to the strut one the 4Runner, and it appears longer.

At the risk of sounding completely stupid: does is seem longer because it isn't in the assembly - or have I just ordered the wrong part?

I did this about 6 months ago. That is the same part number. I bought Bilstein HD (4600) all around with stock springs. It definitely improved the ride.

Let us know how it turns out for you. I think I'm going to add the Daystar 1.5" spacer for the rear in the near future.
Amazon.com: Daystar KT09107BK Comfort Ride 1.5" Lift Rear Coil Spring Spacer Kit: Automotive


In addition, can I ask what else is good to replace to improve the bouncy 4runner? Bushings maybe?

 

[MONTYMTB]

In addition, can I ask what else is good to replace to improve the bouncy 4runner? Bushings maybe?

I just did the same thing, and I replaced the coil spring insulators on the rear.
Toyota part # 48302-60051 (searched high and low, but couldn't find an aftermarket version).

I also put in new KYB strut mounts

Couldn't say how much difference replacing them helped because I also replaced very high mileage shocks and springs, but I wanted everything new so I went ahead and got them.

 

[judeOchop]

done-zo

Stock Tokicos, in the immortal words of Kenny Powers: "You're f%$#ing out!"

A few things I noticed though:

- On the passenger rotor, I have a few solid pad impressions, which might explain some of that famous brake judder. Any tips for getting those off without turning the rotor? I've read about the re-bedding in process, is that the best way?

- Some animal tightened the lugnuts on the passenger half so so hard - it took a few bounces with my body weight on the tire iron to loosen them up. I torqued the lugnuts all around after the job - and it kinda feels like there is slightly _less_ judder now...? is that possible?

I've also been browsing for new tires. Lots of people around here are selling their stock rims +/- tires - but all the new stock rims are 17 inches, those will fit on my 1996 with no lift, right?

I figure I'll need/want new tires before winter, but aside from tires I'm wondering, what to do next?