Help the simple and overwhelmed

[mavrick1903]

SO, I'm trying to read through all the lift/shock/spring options and I'm just finding it a bit overwhelming.

Goals:
Replace shocks
Lift (2" or so, nothing serious)
Not break bank
Skip headaches (not looking to piece together used parts to save money, prefer to buy new components).
Prefer to save on shipping and buy parts or better, a kit from one retailer.

What did/would you do?

2007 limited V8 105k miles.

Help?

PS: I'll need new tires in the fall I think so already expecting that as an expense this year. along with a timing belt kit.

 

[JSeligman2828]

SO, I'm trying to read through all the lift/shock/spring options and I'm just finding it a bit overwhelming.

Goals:
Replace shocks
Lift (2" or so, nothing serious)
Not break bank
Skip headaches (not looking to piece together used parts to save money, prefer to buy new components).
Prefer to save on shipping and buy parts or better, a kit from one retailer.

What did/would you do?

2007 limited V8 105k miles.

Help?

PS: I'll need new tires in the fall I think so already expecting that as an expense this year. along with a timing belt kit.

I've done a lot of research, but in by no means an expert. If you have any questions about specifics, i doubt i could answer. But I'm a sales guy so I've been deal searching.

Basically for brand new you are looking at minimum $450 for parts for a solid build. Seems like everyone likes the Bilstein 5100 adjustable's. Those run around 75-100 depending on where you source from. And then you get a set of springs and you're good to go. Typically MOOG 885 for a v8.

Labor is around $200-$500 depending on from where I'm guessing.

If you are willing to spend around a grand on just parts there's toytec coilovers and after that (even nicer) are the Icons.

 

[mavrick1903]

I'm expecting to do the work, and possibly even willing to mount the springs to the front shock assembly. What benefits does a pre-assembled coil over offer over me putting the spring and shock together?

 

[dchild]

Basically for brand new you are looking at minimum $450 for parts for a solid build. Seems like everyone likes the Bilstein 5100 adjustable's. Those run around 75-100 depending on where you source from. And then you get a set of springs and you're good to go. Typically MOOG 885 for a v8.

This is what I did - 5100's from down south motor sports and the moog V8 4Runner springs from anywhere. Came to a little under $450 shipped. I did the work myself using the "no spring compressor" method and set the (front) 5100s to .85" which is the next-to-lowest setting. I got a 2/1 lift out of it on my V6. With a V8 you would get a little less lift so you might want to set the 5100s one step higher.

Doing the install yourself isn't too bad, and there are great videos for it, but if your truck has lived most of its life in WI (like mine did) you may need a sawzall to cut off the old shocks.

 

[truman3]

I have purchased and will be receiving the rest of my parts in the next few days... then to find time to do it but this is what I'm doing.

2008 Limited V6 with 100k - sitting about 1.75-2" low in the front.

Tacoma TRD (Bilstein) front colit/strut complete and rear shocks - $160
(--will lift the front 1-1.5" and same rear height making truck level--)
Toytec 1/2" top spacer for front $30
(--will add a little less than 1" - netting 2.5" with TRD set up--)
Daystar 1.5" rear spacer $30
(--will bring rear up to match front near level--)
Toytec longer studs $12
Energy replacement bushing for rear $16

$250 = level with a little lift.

The only hard part will be disconnecting XREAS. I did just find out that the previous owner paid the dealer to replace the xreas system at 80k miles so I kind of feel bad for ditching it. Maybe I can sell them to someone looking to replace their xreas shocks....