Well, you could just look yourself, but basically a strut also does other things besides just damping. A MacPherson strut (like most cars have) replaces the entire upper control arm. The easy way to tell is that a shock will have a pivot at both ends, while a strut will be rigidly mounted at one end.
Bilsteins with coils
- Thread starter Lewis&Clark
- Start date
Well, you could just look yourself, but basically a strut also does other things besides just damping. A MacPherson strut (like most cars have) replaces the entire upper control arm. The easy way to tell is that a shock will have a pivot at both ends, while a strut will be rigidly mounted at one end.
Well Toyota and every mechanic calls them struts. I personally don't give a shit what they are called, it's meaningless to me. Oh, and ORI struts wouldn't fall into your "strut" category but that is what they are.
Lewis&Clark
New member
Too scared to do it myself. I'm slowly improving, but I'm a public policy geek -- not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination! Next week, I'm going to replace the brake pads and rotors myself (with a semi-professional mechanic friend helping me). And believe me, that plus the re-wiring mods I did last year are a big leap forward for me. Don't think I'm ready for replacing my suspension.
So I went to my mechanic, whom I have a deep trust for and quoted me about $1000 to $1500 tops to replace all four with Bilsteins. (Note my plan is to disconnect Xreas but leave all the tubes and reservoir in place). He would prefer to install the new struts with everything already assembled because he feels the bushings and tophats should probably be replaced whenever you replace long-used struts -- and that'd it be easier (but not required) if it all came assembled.
Dylan
Member
Yeah man that has nothing to do with the tophat. The 5100s come with brand new bushings and washers, which I installed. There's really nothing to fail on the top hat.
They only come with the washer and bushing above the top hat. They do NOT include the bushing and spacer under the top hat. I'm on my second set of Bilsteins in the front of my 4Runner and have had them off 6 times now. I'll be taking them off this weekend to throw my Tacoma TRD coils on. I'll take some pics for you.
Dylan
Member
What part are you talking about that pivots? Like the bottom mount where the bolt goes through on the lower arm? That does pivot, but the top part (where the tophat mounts) is secured by three studs that do not pivot.
The top stud does pivot, that is why it is mounted with bushings. It pivots inside the top hat, the top hat does not move. The top of most struts is the same, the bottom is usually the part that is solidly mounted.
the progressive offroad ones or the sport ones? i need to swap in my offroad springs but wondering how much lift i will be getting. i'll keep an eye out for your posts.
way way way to high!!! i wouldnt trust that guy anymore if thats what he is quoting you! what kind of mechanic cannot assemble the spring/shocks? i think guys say 300-400 is a decent install price. shoot, come out to Denver, i'll install everything for $400!! i have done all kinds of shock installs to tacomas and now 4runners over the years, so that makes me a professional installer....!!
EDIT: gas for that trip would only be under $300, so even if you factor in gas, a hotel room for a night and my install price, you would still be saving money...!! haha
Sport ones. I'm going to set my Bilsteins at 2.5 with them and see how that is. I need a minimum of 3.5" of lift on the front.
Lewis&Clark
New member
He didn't say he couldn't do it. Just that I might save money if it could be ordered with all the parts included.
He was including the cost of all the parts including the billstein 5100s in estimating $1000. Also, you forget how extremely expensive the Bay Area is. Even low end mechanics (of which he is not) are often in the $100/hr range. Some dealerships are up to $185.
im from socal and have heard of the ridiculous prices of the bay area. but just because it is expensive, doesnt mean you should pay it! great time to do a "mod day" with some 4runner, FJ or tacoma guys in the area. maybe be able to get "free" (beer and pizza) labor if you supply the parts and you will learn how easy this front end work really is? head over to tacomaworld and see whats in your area, im sure there are plenty of guys local enough. just a thought.
Last edited:
Lewis&Clark
New member
Okay, so one more question before I move forward on this. Generally speaking, how much wear might one accumulate on the coils? It's a 2008 Ltd V8 4wd, with just shy of 114,000 miles. It's been out offroad several times, but always easy trails.
I can I tell if the coils themselves need to be replaced? Can I get away with just the struts and miscellaneous other parts and just have the Toyota OEM coils put on over the new Bilsteins? I'd really like to save money -- I don't have much of it for mods. But not at the expense of safety, wearing out the Bilsteins prematurely, etc.
I can I tell if the coils themselves need to be replaced? Can I get away with just the struts and miscellaneous other parts and just have the Toyota OEM coils put on over the new Bilsteins? I'd really like to save money -- I don't have much of it for mods. But not at the expense of safety, wearing out the Bilsteins prematurely, etc.
Lewis&Clark
New member
Thanks Yosh. I appreciate it, and yes, I'll probably see if I can get some local help first.
Incidentally, I'll be driving out to Colorado Springs in May or June for a week-long work meeting. I'll definitely come by Denver to say hi and spring for some new LEDs in the dash
if it were my truck, i would find some low mileage FJ coils for the rear and either some low mileage FJ or tacoma springs for the front and 5100s all around (oh wait, that is exactly what i did with my truck!!). should be able to pick up low mileage springs for under 100 bucks for all 4.
when i picked up my 05 with under 100k, the suspension was sagging very bad, nearly on the bump stops!
if you are swapping out shocks, i would definitely throw some newer/lower mileage springs on there, especially if you are going to pay that ridiculous labor rate out there!! no sense in paying it twice if you throw springs on there later.
when i picked up my 05 with under 100k, the suspension was sagging very bad, nearly on the bump stops!
if you are swapping out shocks, i would definitely throw some newer/lower mileage springs on there, especially if you are going to pay that ridiculous labor rate out there!! no sense in paying it twice if you throw springs on there later.
sounds good, i'll be here!Incidentally, I'll be driving out to Colorado Springs in May or June for a week-long work meeting. I'll definitely come by Denver to say hi and spring for some new LEDs in the dash
Labor prices to install 5100's and new FJ springs here in Austin has been around $250-75. I wish I had Mechanical skills, as I would save a lot of $$
If there is any workshops from Austin to San Antonio I would be down for that. I would really like to try this with my boy, but we would probably kill eachother. If anyone out this way can help out, I would definitely pay for the job.
If there is any workshops from Austin to San Antonio I would be down for that. I would really like to try this with my boy, but we would probably kill eachother. If anyone out this way can help out, I would definitely pay for the job.
Ok. Here's the top hat. The lower bushing, which does NOT come with the shocks is formed inside. I suppose you could rip it out of there, but why? This is why you buy a new one when you get new shocks.
Also, if you look in the hole in the top you'll see that the bushings look a little tore up. This is because I flex it out so much all
Dylan
Member
I see what you're saying. You're correct, Bilstein doesn't include those when you buy the fronts...although they are manufactured. I had to buy mine separately. I don't know if that's part of the tophat or shock...but it doesn't really matter. Bottom line I put in new bushings because the tophats I used had them removed already.
