Looking for Opinion on Possible Past Suspension Upgrade

[fatherohenry]

I bought this '96 SR5 auto in 2012 with 205k. It's now at 248k.

I got to thinking about replacing at least the rear coils to improve the ride but now I'm not even sure what I currently have. I'd assumed it was all stock but after reading countless 15 page posts about suspension I'm not so sure anymore.

According to this and many other posts I've read, the average stock measurement from hub center to fender is 20". Based on my limited information, current mileage, and me not making any changes since I bought it I'm thinking the PO may have given it a little something extra.

Mine measures (1/2 full fuel tank):

Front: 21.25
Rear: 20.5

The rear coil recall was done in 2002 according to the dealership I called. I estimate that was about 78,000 miles (170,000 miles ago).

Toyota says RR axle bearing and seals along with RF axle assembly were replaced in 2009 at 179,303.

I have no records of any other relevant maintenance/upgrades by the PO.

Being at the beginning of this learning curve I'm hoping someone with experience can tell me if anything looks like it's been upgraded from OEM.

Front Left:

Front Right:

Left Rear:

I'm running 265/75/16.

Thanks!

 

[T4topher]

I bought this '96 SR5 auto in 2012 with 205k. It's now at 248k.

I got to thinking about replacing at least the rear coils to improve the ride but now I'm not even sure what I currently have. I'd assumed it was all stock but after reading countless 15 page posts about suspension I'm not so sure anymore.

According to this and many other posts I've read, the average stock measurement from hub center to fender is 20". Based on my limited information, current mileage, and me not making any changes since I bought it I'm thinking the PO may have given it a little something extra.

Mine measures (1/2 full fuel tank):

Front: 21.25
Rear: 20.5

The rear coil recall was done in 2002 according to the dealership I called. I estimate that was about 78,000 miles (170,000 miles ago).

Toyota says RR axle bearing and seals along with RF axle assembly were replaced in 2009 at 179,303.

I have no records of any other relevant maintenance/upgrades by the PO.

Being at the beginning of this learning curve I'm hoping someone with experience can tell me if anything looks like it's been upgraded from OEM.

Front Left:

Front Right:

Left Rear:

I'm running 265/75/16.

Thanks!

Those look like KYBs I think, pretty sure oems are black. Looks like this guy installed the same ones you have.
Yes - OEM Shocks will last 17 years

 

[phattyduck]

I think you'll be pleased with just installing new shocks - unless you want more clearance and off road performance. The ride height in the front is up about 1" from where it 'should be' but that's not a problem. Maybe it had "99 tall" springs installed many years ago and the rears have sagged (and the fronts are still good).

Poor performing shocks allow the suspension to bottom out more than it should, making it much more uncomfortable that it would be otherwise.

-Charlie

 

[fatherohenry]

I think you'll be pleased with just installing new shocks - unless you want more clearance and off road performance. The ride height in the front is up about 1" from where it 'should be' but that's not a problem. Maybe it had "99 tall" springs installed many years ago and the rears have sagged (and the fronts are still good).

Poor performing shocks allow the suspension to bottom out more than it should, making it much more uncomfortable that it would be otherwise.

-Charlie

Thanks, Charlie.

I see now that those are Gas-a-Just shocks/struts. From what I've read in this forum those are perfectly acceptable for my use case.

Is there a way to check, on the vehicle, if those are 99 talls? I imagine that would make a difference when choosing replacement shocks. I also assumed the springs would be worn out at this mileage and that it would make sense to replace them along with the shocks. I'm not looking for a lift but I'm not looking for the opposite, either.

I thought I'd read nearly every post about this but have since discovered I'm not even close! So much to learn. I don't even know what I don't know.

 

[phattyduck]

Is there a way to check, on the vehicle, if those are 99 talls? I imagine that would make a difference when choosing replacement shocks. I also assumed the springs would be worn out at this mileage and that it would make sense to replace them along with the shocks. I'm not looking for a lift but I'm not looking for the opposite, either.

I thought I'd read nearly every post about this but have since discovered I'm not even close! So much to learn. I don't even know what I don't know.

I don't remember a definitive color code chart for the springs, so not much of a help there. The fronts (at least, and maybe the rears) do have factory style color codes, which is good.

If they are still at a good ride height, there is no need to replace the springs. So leave those fronts alone. Maybe get new ones for the rear to bump it back up. If you carry weight in the back often, consider aftermarket springs to avoid the compression of the stock rear springs.

Shock choice is no affected by any of the OEM available springs (short '02 up to '99 tall height). OEM, KYB and Bilstein 4600 are all good choices for an OEM-like ride.

-Charlie

PS. Technically the fronts are still shocks, just 'coilover' shocks. Often they are called struts incorrectly.