Front and Rear SHock Replacement

[Bulldog2]

I'm sorry if this has been covered but I'll ask anyway. I first search the forum but no good answer.

I'm helping friend replace the front (struts?) and rear shocks on his 2003 V8 4Runner.

Eyeballing it I can't tell if the fronts struts or just a shock inside a spring like a strut is. Not too familar with the Toyotas as I work on old Benzes more.

The struts seems very vertical. Am planning to use Bilsteins. In looking online I noticed there were some makes that had some type of hose line line attached to it. Is this for leveling? THe Bilsteins did not have it.

Anyway, any info about how to replace the fronts would be appreciated. I've replaced struts on a Caravan and Taurus. Thanks in advance.

 

[derekdevasia]

Hey dude, i have a 2004 4runner, and i can tell you that the springs surround the struts. Now the line thing that you were talking about is for 4runners with xreas leveling, so they can change their ride height. If you have those, then your in for a pain in the butt project. Otherwise, i'm not exactly sure how to change them, but i know that my local off road place would change them out all of them for about 200 dollars.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

This page explains the XREAS system somewhat. It is used to help reduce body roll in turns. This is a factory system that you will lose when you do the swap (many have done it, very few regret ditching it). Check the link in my sig for my lift write up, I like to several pages that you may find helpful. When removing the shocks, do so like you normally would. Do not disconnect the lines at the shock. Follow the line and about a foot away from the shock you will find a disconnect point.

 

[Bulldog2]

ok forget the xreas system. I think they are regular shocks... so back to the question...

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

If there are lines attached to them, then it is XREAS. It does nothing with vehicle height, only helps keep the vehicle level when cornering. Have you looked at the links I gave you? There are several very detailed write-ups that show step by step how to change the front out.

 

[Bulldog2]

Ok thanks. Link looks good.

Any suggestions on brand of strut/shocks and springs if necessary? Usually when i replace struts I replace the entire assembly (loaded).

thanks

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

For coils I suggest finding a set off of a fj cruiser, most pick up slightly used sets for a reasonable price and they will improve the ride over the stock coils. Shocks depend on usage. Does he want to lift it at all? Any off road use or only on road? Most companies sell juust the shock and intend for you to reuse oem springs.

 

[Bulldog2]

No off road.... just asphalt use.... maybe occassional dirt road.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

My advice would be to see if you can find an set of stock 2007-2009 FJ shocks/coils (off of a 4x4 FJ). These are a direct swap and offer a nice improvement in ride over the stock suspension. Most have found a full set of used shocks/coils for under $200. Used doesn't bother me, as long as it's low mileage. Quite a few here have done the swap and are very happy with the results.

Otherwise, I'd do probably some KYB GR2's with FJ springs if you wanted "new" shocks. They are a stock replacement and will be most similar to the OEM setup. Bilsteins are a good choice, I run them (with FJ springs) but the main reason I do is because they are a great shock for on/off road performance. They also allowed me to lift the vehicle, which was something else I based my decision on.