Took my 2005 4runner to get the kyb strut plus installed. I did let them know that there right and left specific by part #. When it was finished I checked it and they put it on reverse the left strut on the right and right strut on the left . Does it make a difference? They are going to redo it later this week. It looks and drives fine but there must be a reason they have a different part # for the right and left strut.
Kyb strut plus installed
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TheLincolnGreen
New member
I think toyota recommends the extra coil go on the outside. Most likely it won't matter and I would probably just leave it, but if they're willing to fix it for free..
firebirdguy
Member
left & right does matter... cant remember which it is, but one of them has a stronger spring/extra coil to compensate for more weight on one side. think its the driver side since thats where the gas tank is & the driver sits.
if they will swap them for free i would definitely have them do it, but its ok to drive on until they get you in.
how do you like the kyb's? i just installed all 4 to replace a worn xreas system & love how it drives.
also check with KYB, there is a rebate of $60 for 4 shocks.
if they will swap them for free i would definitely have them do it, but its ok to drive on until they get you in.
how do you like the kyb's? i just installed all 4 to replace a worn xreas system & love how it drives.
also check with KYB, there is a rebate of $60 for 4 shocks.
Thanks for your help! The kyb feels nice slightly stiffer but I like it. Seems like it lifted the front a little. The will swap it for free . I would let it go but just knowing it's on the wrong side and I did let them know regarding that part# is site specific and they told me they know.
firebirdguy
Member
you're welcome.
yes they are designed to be about 10% stiffer valving & 10% stiffer springs than stock SR5 shocks.
they do lift the front some, mine was about 2" above where it was with worn shocks/springs, so probably closer to 1" higher than they were when new.
if the shocks were provided by the shop, tell then you would like the UPC codes from the box & a receipt for the rebate. if you bought them then you should have those. just dont let teh shop get the warranty unless they discounted the price for you upfront. its a free 60 bucks!
I've used KYB on a variety of vehicles, mostly installing them myself but decided to let a local shop put them on the 4R and darned if they didn't put the fronts on the wrong side even though it was written right on the ticket. They fixed it for free, obviously, but don't know why they can't follow instructions that save them having to redo a job that probably takes at least two shop hours to complete. Another thing to remember is that KYB provides a lifetime warranty so make sure the paperwork from the shop lists them as KYB with the appropriate part numbers and then file the warranty with KYB.
Interesting info, thanks for sharing. Just to clarify, you're talking about the Struts Plus system which uses the standard OEM replacement Excel-G shocks and pre-assembled springs. Did you look into the Gas-a-Just shocks for the front?
firebirdguy
Member
yes i used the strut plus for the fronts & matching excel-g shocks for the rear & kept the stock rear springs.
i did not look at the gas adjust since they dont make a complete shock/spring assembly with those shocks, & the gas adjust are much stiffer than the excel-g, probably good for off road use or vehicles with added weight like bumpers, roof racks etc, but for daily driver or light duty utility use i just wanted something a little stiffer than stock & the excel g were a perfect option for that.
Makes sense. Yeah, I was wondering why they offer the gas adjust for front and not the rear...kinda weird.
Any thoughts on rear springs and sway bar links? My 07 has all original suspension so I feel like if I'm going to replace the shocks I might as well do the springs too. I was thinking the Moog 81045 rear coils would be good but was hoping you guys had some thoughts/experience with them. I want a little bit of lift/leveling and from what you guys are saying I should get the right amount. I suppose if the Moogs add too much rear lift, I can go back and add a spacer to the front.
I've also heard that you might as well do the sway bar links while in there. I've heard something about energy suspension bushings and some other one (polythane??) I can't remember what it was called. Any experience with these?
I'll be doing all the work myself to save some $$. My rig will never go off road unless it's a fire road access to a hiking trail.
firebirdguy
Member
depending on miles & how it was used prior to you owning it, rear springs are probably fine, unless it was used for towing or abused off road. mine had 145k on it & the rear springs felt fine & the rear sits up just like other stock 4runners i see whicjh is pretty high as is.... so i left mine alone. you can buy new springs if you want but probably not needed. moogs are good quality though.
the front kybs lifter the front about 2" from what it was & im sure it was sagged at least 1" from stock. so the kybs added about 1" over stock after about 1000 miles to settle in. looks close to level & if i want more up front i can add a spacer... but i dont off road so not worried about a lift.
i did all the work myself too & was pretty easy, hardest part was undoing the xreas connections. had to cut the rear top bolts on the shocks with a sawzall since the flex in the shock makes it hard to get the torque needed on the bolt. i plan to get the poly sway bar bushings too, my front end links looked & felt fine so i reused them.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
You say the KYB plus front shock provides a little bit of lift from stock, could you measure from the fender opening to the center of the hub/wheel so I can compared it to mine?
I will be doing my shocks in the near future and I'm thinking of going with the KYBs and I want to compare your measurement to mine which has a 1" spacer in it at present.
firebirdguy
Member
yes i will try to get a measurement today. i posted in another recent thread with the measurements & a pic of mine before & after. will see if i can locate that.
edit: heres a link to teh thread with pics. apparently i didnt post measurements but i will do that later today. but the pics give a good idea of how much the front raised vs stock at 145k.
New KYB Struts Plus & Daystar 1" Kit=5" lift?!
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Hunter.Cribb
New member
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Thanks, did you go with the KYB Plus or just the KYB shock and your OEM springs?
Hunter.Cribb
New member
firebirdguy
Member
check rockauto for them, they have the best prices for kyb's & many other parts. & kyb might still be offering a rebate.
firebirdguy
Member
measured mine today. from center of cap to bottom of fender is 20.5". i usually measure from the ground to bottom of fender & that is 35.5" with 265/70/17 tires on stock sport rims.
hopes that helps
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Thanks to both of you for the measurement, that's the same as I have with a spacer installing so the KYB Plus shock will have me setting at the same height as I am now which I like the way it looks and drives.
I always measure from the fender to the center of the wheel which give you a truer measure of how much lift one has, when measuring from the ground the actual lift is not known from one T4R to another because of the different sizes of tire everyone has, even the same size tires vary from brand to brand a little bit.
firebirdguy
Member
when you first install them the lift will be much higher, it took about 1000 miles for mine to settle to where they are now, & after another 1000 miles it hasnt gone any lower. you should also like the ~10% stiffer springs & shock valving compared to the stock (worn?) shocks/springs.
yes i agree measuring from center of cap/hub is a better way to judge lift, i guess i do from the ground on my vehicle(s) because my tires are the same before i did the shocks.
report back when you install the kybs, curious to hear how you like them.
