Budget friendly shocks/struts/coils?

[sirhcx]

I just want to start by saying that I don't really drive all that much in the grand scheme of things. Maybe 3k-5k a year depending on events with the family and the occasional road trip. With that being said, my front suspension is completely worn out at 250k miles and is starting to cause uneven wear on the tires. Now I'm looking for something that will just get the job done to keep her going as my daily until the rust finally takes her. I would love to put 5100's on her but I cant afford all the extra parts and dont know what Id be doing. Im open to any an all advice!

Im planning on changing the upper/lower ball joints and rear shocks/springs as well.

Are the Gabriel's any good? Does KYB not offer an option anymore?
More Information for GABRIEL G57066

 

[Previologist]

I used KYB KG54317 on my rear. Just a plain Jane.

 

[phattyduck]

KYB definitely still make shocks for the 4Runner... 4600's and 5100's are also possibilities. Avoid the Gabriel/TRQ/Monroe/etc. shocks.

But if you are wearing front tires poorly, you might (probably) also have issues with bushings up there. New shocks, new front (and possibly rear) bushings and an alignment should really improve things, especially at stock height.

-Charlie

 

[sirhcx]

KYB definitely still make shocks for the 4Runner... 4600's and 5100's are also possibilities. Avoid the Gabriel/TRQ/Monroe/etc. shocks.

But if you are wearing front tires poorly, you might (probably) also have issues with bushings up there. New shocks, new front (and possibly rear) bushings and an alignment should really improve things, especially at stock height.

-Charlie

The springs are shot after 250k miles in the rust belt and I really don't have the budget for new springs and shocks. I was hoping to get away this something close to the OEM struts and keeping it simple stupid.

 

[brillo_76]

The springs are shot after 250k miles in the rust belt and I really don't have the budget for new springs and shocks. I was hoping to get away this something close to the OEM struts and keeping it simple stupid.

I tired manroe.. Junk in a few years. :-( Something close to OEM is not going to be reasonable sadly.

 

[phattyduck]

The springs are shot after 250k miles in the rust belt and I really don't have the budget for new springs and shocks. I was hoping to get away this something close to the OEM struts and keeping it simple stupid.

Before you assume the springs are bad, check your ride height. With an '01, you should be somewhere between 19" and 20" from center of the hub to the fender lip. If so, the springs are still holding the truck up. If the rear is sagging, then you'll need new springs back there. If the fronts are still holding up, hit the springs with some good paint and keep motoring.

Bad shocks will make it FEEL like the springs are bad - if the shocks don't stop the truck from bottoming, you'll be hitting the bump stops all the time. Same with bad bushings - there will be a harshness that is hard to describe that gets fixed right up with new bushings.

A set of 4 KYB gas-a-justs is under $200 before tax and shipping (RockAuto). You can probably reuse the top hats unless they are really bad. Only replace the springs if they really need it.

That alone will be a big upgrade from 250k mile factory stuff. Then you can decide what else you want to do... Oh, and the front upper ball joints may still be ok - it is only the front LOWERS that really matter. Those you must go OEM - just suck it up on the price. Save $$$ on the uppers by not doing them.

-Charlie

 

[sirhcx]

Before you assume the springs are bad, check your ride height. With an '01, you should be somewhere between 19" and 20" from center of the hub to the fender lip. If so, the springs are still holding the truck up. If the rear is sagging, then you'll need new springs back there. If the fronts are still holding up, hit the springs with some good paint and keep motoring.

Bad shocks will make it FEEL like the springs are bad - if the shocks don't stop the truck from bottoming, you'll be hitting the bump stops all the time. Same with bad bushings - there will be a harshness that is hard to describe that gets fixed right up with new bushings.

A set of 4 KYB gas-a-justs is under $200 before tax and shipping (RockAuto). You can probably reuse the top hats unless they are really bad. Only replace the springs if they really need it.

That alone will be a big upgrade from 250k mile factory stuff. Then you can decide what else you want to do... Oh, and the front upper ball joints may still be ok - it is only the front LOWERS that really matter. Those you must go OEM - just suck it up on the price. Save $$$ on the uppers by not doing them.

-Charlie

Oh wow, thats some piece of mind then and I'll measure on a flat surface tomorrow. Its admittedly been clunking up front for almost 2 years. Shortly after I had a new power steering rack and tire rod ends put in. So I assume what was left of the bushings finally crumbled away and that slop has been eating the inner side of my tires. It wasnt really bad until this last winter and a pothole got me good.

 

[Offroad Alliance]

I just want to start by saying that I don't really drive all that much in the grand scheme of things. Maybe 3k-5k a year depending on events with the family and the occasional road trip. With that being said, my front suspension is completely worn out at 250k miles and is starting to cause uneven wear on the tires. Now I'm looking for something that will just get the job done to keep her going as my daily until the rust finally takes her. I would love to put 5100's on her but I cant afford all the extra parts and dont know what Id be doing. Im open to any an all advice!

Im planning on changing the upper/lower ball joints and rear shocks/springs as well.

Are the Gabriel's any good? Does KYB not offer an option anymore?
More Information for GABRIEL G57066

hunt for takeoffs, KYB's or hit up LKQ for some low mileage ones. Car-part.com for OEM parts is a good source too

 

[Thatgoodfellow]

If it helps I think im just under $800 for my 4600's on front and back. I still need to do rear springs which will be another $200 but I definitly notice the improved ride with those. Also replacing worn out bushings as someone mentioned is a cheaper way to improve ride quality along with shocks.

 

[phattyduck]

Oh wow, thats some piece of mind then and I'll measure on a flat surface tomorrow. Its admittedly been clunking up front for almost 2 years. Shortly after I had a new power steering rack and tire rod ends put in. So I assume what was left of the bushings finally crumbled away and that slop has been eating the inner side of my tires. It wasnt really bad until this last winter and a pothole got me good.

Clunking can be swaybar bushings or end links, which would have less of an effect on the tires - but that doesn't mean the arm pivot bushings aren't also shot...

-Charlie