Ghostrider
Registered User
Just about to pull trigger on gas adjusts when I saw a few reviews on Amazon that indicated the front was taller than stock. Can anyone comment on whether this is correct. I am also calling KYB to see what they say
KYB Height
- Thread starter Ghostrider
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
spartacus
Senior Member
If you are reusing the stock springs then you'll have the stock height. Shocks don't determine the height of the suspension, the only exception would be adjustable height shocks where you can raise the physical location of the spring.
NegroTundra
New member
Unless the physical location of the perch relative to the lower shock mount is different that stock shocks.
I gained aprx 1/2" up front when I installed my KYB's years ago. Thought it was a temporary fluke, gave springs (originals) time to settle in, height never changed. Was kind of an unexpected bonus for me. YRMV
Same thing here! I gained exactly 1/2” when I installed the KYB’s with my stock springs on my ‘02 last month. I measured the perch height with the old and new shocks side by side on the work bench during installation, and there’s about a 5/8” difference in perch location. I prefer the added height, as the truck now sits perfectly level.
Last edited:
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
Maybe it depends on the year of the truck. My '97 shocks had the perch in about the same location relative to the lower shock bolt as the new KYB shocks. But the '01-02 models might have had their perches lower, so the KYB's would raise the truck, all else being equal.
NegroTundra
New member
Mine is a 98'
phattyduck
Elite Member
They might also be talking about the extended length of the shocks, which as you can see from Leon's photo is longer than the OEM shocks. No worries there - you get extra droop with no change in ride height. Most aftermarket shocks are longer than the OEMs.
An increase in ride height can come with changing out the top spring isolator to a new, not-compressed one.
-Charlie
An increase in ride height can come with changing out the top spring isolator to a new, not-compressed one.
-Charlie
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Not all 4Runner years have the same height lift. The lifts differed from year to year. From the data I've gathered, this is the tallest to shortest:
99 (1" taller)
98 (1/2" taller)
96-97, 00 (baseline, no change)
01-02 (slightly shorter)
So depending on what year, if you change out components like shocks, coils, springs, etc. you will get different results.
99 (1" taller)
98 (1/2" taller)
96-97, 00 (baseline, no change)
01-02 (slightly shorter)
So depending on what year, if you change out components like shocks, coils, springs, etc. you will get different results.
Hopeless Diamond
New member
So, if we don't want the shock, can we ask?
Edit to my earlier post. I just went out and re-measured my old factory shocks and the KYB’s on my ‘02. From lowest part of the perch, to center of bottom bolt hole: factory 6 1/4”, KYB 6 1/8”. I have no clue where I originally got the 5/8” difference when measuring both on the workbench. Sorry for the discrepancy.
BTW, to the OP. When first installed, the KYB’s ride was extremely stiff and I instantly hated them! They were so stiff, that I could hardly get any movement out of the front end when pushing down on the front bumper. They almost felt locked. Fortunately, I decided to just run em while I decided on another brand. After only about 75 miles, they softened up to where they feel great now! :jump:
BTW, to the OP. When first installed, the KYB’s ride was extremely stiff and I instantly hated them! They were so stiff, that I could hardly get any movement out of the front end when pushing down on the front bumper. They almost felt locked. Fortunately, I decided to just run em while I decided on another brand. After only about 75 miles, they softened up to where they feel great now! :jump:
when I installed my kyb's I did not noticed a perch height difference. I was also switching to 99 coil springs at the time, so I did have a differece in truck height, but that is related to springs.
Since I had a rear sag going on b4 springs and shock replacement, the new ride was real nice.
I did not notice the kyb's being stiff as posted by person above
Since I had a rear sag going on b4 springs and shock replacement, the new ride was real nice.
I did not notice the kyb's being stiff as posted by person above
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
No stiffness here either from the KYB's on my 4Runner. Any new shock is going to be better than old ones with 200K+ miles on them.
Maybe it was just a fluke with the front set that I received. I had previously put the KYB gas-a-just's on the rear, and didn't feel any extra stiffness at all, so a few months later I went with the same on the front. Like I mentioned, they were extremely stiff, but then again it was mainly the left side shock. The right side had a little more give when pushing down on the bumper than the left. I rechecked the upper mounts, but all looked good. Is it possible the piston could have been stuck internally? I never felt anything suddenly give or pop while driving. Just one day it road like crap, and the next day it road beautifully! :noidea:
Ghostrider
Registered User
Thanks for the updates. I'm still going with Gas Adjust KYB's.
Second question - probably should do a new thread but who replaced the front shock mount wiht new shocks. KYB sells one for about 30 bucks. Mine have 200K on them but all in south
Second question - probably should do a new thread but who replaced the front shock mount wiht new shocks. KYB sells one for about 30 bucks. Mine have 200K on them but all in south
blairracd
New member
Nope!
Kanoe
New member
Your original are old but of very good toyota quality. The aftermarket are new but cheap. I'd have the new on hand in case you need them but plan on reusing the OEM if at all possible.
When I replaced my front & rear shocks (KYB) as well as springs (Factory Toyota) I replaced the front upper shock mounts with KYB SM5184 Units.
I’m in the northeast where the winter roads cause all sorts of rust so I replaced more for that reason than any other.......and 180K miles!
Not a bad job if you can get your hands on a spring compressor.
Attachments
replacing is a lot different with cars with true struts.called mcpherson strut originally...in those situations the strut turns with the direction of the wheel. ( so the shock and spring are rotating when turning) The top mount has a bearing to help with that movement, bearings wear out..so on a "strut" car they are replaced more often due to the bearing. Although people often refer to our front ends as struts. even auto parts stores...napa...rock auto refer to our front shocks as struts...go to a place that specializes in 4runners...toyotec etc...they call our front shocks...coil overs. ...they are more coil over than strut but over time...people just call our front ends and coil overs as struts. I imagine the majority of cars these days now have mcpherson strut front ends...so I assume anything that looks close to that is reffered to as a strut.
In a strut, even those listed in the kyb add refer to the new bearings...those are needed in struts...the shock mounts you get for the 4runner do not have bearings, therfore no bearing to replace. However they are hard metal and rubber and I guess in time they can wear out too from corrosion or age..depends on your environement...rust belt ..etc. they are not spinning...just sitting still and compressed.
when I did my shocks and springs at approx 165k, they looked great, so I did not replace.
my 2cents
Last edited:
