Front shock absorber replacement options

[rwh963]

while at the dealer recently, i was told one front shock is leaking. rides normal, so i'm not even sure when i would need to replace. speaking to service, i believe their quote was for aftermarket "quick fit" assemblies that are installed by the dealer, rather than individual replacement parts if they used OE. i have 255k miles on the original system.

looks like i can buy the necessary OE parts for about $850 for both sides, plus install. the dealer price estimate was about $1200 using aftermarket.

anyone use the quick fit c0mplete assemblies offered by dealers. not looking to do anything fancy, just using it as a daily street driver.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Electronics and struts/springs are the main things I prefer OEM for. With that said, you can find newer used assemblies from Gen 5 4runners that people lift, maybe the FJ fits too? I got mine for around $100 off E-bay, OEM stamped with a tag that showed they were 6 months old. Just takes a bit of grinding of the strut on the lower mount point to fit. What a difference in ride quality and the front height picked up.

 

[rdruss]

You have a lot of options. If you want to pay 2-3 times what it could cost you, go with the dealer. If you can do your own work, then you can do quick struts or you can do individual shocks and springs, neither is very difficult. My '03 is street only and I'm very pleased with Dobinson's IMS shocks with FJ springs, but there are lots of options.