Need Strut Advice

[hhornig]

I just bought a 2007 SR5 with 66,000 miles on it for my wife. The Toyota dealer said the front struts were leaking and need replacement and gave me a price of $635 for two. Since this vehicle will not be used off-road I am planning on just using OEM struts. Does any one recommend a different approach? Should I replace any other parts at the same time as the struts?

 

[Burt]

Struts? I think these are just shocks. The exception would be if you have a Sport model with the XREAS. Those special shocks are known to leak. Many owners with leaking XREAS have taken them out and installed conventional shocks. I suggest going with a high end Monroe with dual chambers for smooth rides on variety of road surfaces. Should be out the door for $300 or so.

 

[hhornig]

Struts? I think these are just shocks. The exception would be if you have a Sport model with the XREAS. Those special shocks are known to leak. Many owners with leaking XREAS have taken them out and installed conventional shocks. I suggest going with a high end Monroe with dual chambers for smooth rides on variety of road surfaces. Should be out the door for $300 or so.

Toyota calls them struts, but they look just like shocks to me. I'll look at Monroe shocks, too.

 

[Burt]

Suggest going to an indepedant shop. I question whether they are bad at such low milage.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Unfortunately it's pretty common for xreas to fail at low mileage, which is why I personally would not pay to have it replaced. Bilstein 5100s and FJ coils is a great setup for on road, many have made the swap and are very satisfied.

 

[450exc115]

Guys it's a SR5 so it shouldn't have XREAS. I'd suggest just about any gas charged shock. KYB, Monroe, Bilsteins all make a gas charged shock for the 4runner and would be a improvement over stock performance.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Guys it's a SR5 so it shouldn't have XREAS. I'd suggest just about any gas charged shock. KYB, Monroe, Bilsteins all make a gas charged shock for the 4runner and would be a improvement over stock performance.

Good catch, must have missed that in the original post. In that case, I agree with the above. I like the Bilsteins, they are the most popular choice. Get a set of 5100s, they can be purchased for less than $350 for all four and will have a lifetime warranty.

 

[Ohhh S.k. CFPB]

Good catch, must have missed that in the original post. In that case, I agree with the above. I like the Bilsteins, they are the most popular choice. Get a set of 5100s, they can be purchased for less than $350 for all four and will have a lifetime warranty.

The ride is awesome with 5100's. Just keep them at the stock height or you could level the truck out.

 

[hhornig]

Thanks for the advice. Can I replace the two fronts with Bilsteins now and do the rears later? Feeling a little poor after paying taxes on this ride.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks for the advice. Can I replace the two fronts with Bilsteins now and do the rears later? Feeling a little poor after paying taxes on this ride.

Yes. Since you have the standard shocks and not XREAS (as mentioned, XREAS was not an option on the SR5's), you can replace just the fronts.

Also, you may look into a full suspension off of FJ Cruiser. Normally you can get a low mileage set of shocks/coils from a 2007-2009 FJ for $100-$200. It's a direct swap and a nice upgrade over stock.

 

[450exc115]

Thanks for the advice. Can I replace the two fronts with Bilsteins now and do the rears later? Feeling a little poor after paying taxes on this ride.

Keep in mind if you change springs on the front (FJ Cruise swap) you will need an alignment. If you insall Bilstein 5100 on any setting but stock you will need an alignment. If you add a spacer lift you will need an alignment. If you just change the shocks with a stock length shock you might not need an alignment but I would have mine checked if it was me..

Just want to make you aware that when doing the front shocks you most likely should get an alignment.