New shocks with original springs

[haireez]

I recently bought my '99 4runner and its still sporting the original suspension components. I don't off road and I usually do a lot of city driving. I'd like to replace my shocks but don't want to spend the money on a whole new suspension. Would it be okay to replace just the shock or should I replace the whole OEM setup? If so, where is the best place to purchase them?

Sorry, if this question has been asked before and Thanks in advance!

 

[nissanh]

You can replace just the shocks. I personally prefer Bilstein shocks as they give a better ride. OEM is KYB (toyota). There are lots of struts and shocks available for the 4runner. See what others say about it.

 

[flyinbrick]

I was in your shoes a month ago and did a lot of reading on the forums. The front springs should be fine and so should the rears unless yours are sagging. And even if they are, you might be able to just add spacers to level them out. I haven't read anything about springs failing.

 

[haireez]

Niss and fly thanks for the quick response. I'll check out bilstein

 

[TheDurk]

You can replace just the shocks. I personally prefer Bilstein shocks as they give a better ride. OEM is KYB (toyota). There are lots of struts and shocks available for the 4runner. See what others say about it.

OEM is Tokico. (KYB makes the liftgate gas lifts, though.) The Tokico Trekmaster is sold widely (Amazon, shox.com) and is a slight upgrade from stock. Lots of people run these, including me.

 

[wcpfour]

My '97 is all stock, and I just replaced the stock shocks with Bilsteins from the Tire Rack. Kept original springs, and all seems well. Ride is still firm, but vehicle control is much, much better. Next thing I'm looking at in the suspension department is end links, bushings, etc.

 

[haireez]

OEM is Tokico. (KYB makes the liftgate gas lifts, though.) The Tokico Trekmaster is sold widely (Amazon, shox.com) and is a slight upgrade from stock. Lots of people run these, including me.

Thanks for your input. How do you like the trekmasters? I saw them listed at 435 on amazon... Is there a cheaper price somewhere? It being an older vehicle I'm trying to keep the cost as low as possible.

 

[haireez]

My '97 is all stock, and I just replaced the stock shocks with Bilsteins from the Tire Rack. Kept original springs, and all seems well. Ride is still firm, but vehicle control is much, much better. Next thing I'm looking at in the suspension department is end links, bushings, etc.

Thanks for your input, were there any complications with the installation? Any special modifications or was it a simple bolt on?

 

[wcpfour]

Pretty simple. Need a spring compressor for the front, and getting to the top bolts of the rears was kind of a pain. My buddy and I knocked it out in about 2 hours in the shop where he works. Air tools and a lift made it pretty easy, though.

 

[atxrunner]

You can buy the new front ends already pre-assembled like i did and they are a quick swap out. Check them out on ebay just search Complete coil spring or on RockAuto.com where i bought mine. Also you can find replacement coil springs for the rear super cheap on rockauto.

 

[nissanh]

You got to be very careful with the strut spring compressor. I usually keep the strut horizontally and keep my face/body/arms and others away from the sides while I compress the strut spring. You can google on how to use the tool.

You can buy the strut spring compressor at Harbor freight tools for like $15, and yes, it works.

 

[TheDurk]

Thanks for your input. How do you like the trekmasters? I saw them listed at 435 on amazon... Is there a cheaper price somewhere? It being an older vehicle I'm trying to keep the cost as low as possible.

$435, really? I see fronts for $81 and rears for $57. Prime eligible. I got mine from shox.com current price $289 w/free shipping all four. I thought they were harsh for the first 5k, but now after 10k I like them a lot. I think I paid $235 two years ago.

set of 4 gu3535 front gE3536 rear -Free shipping LOWER 48 STATE 289.00

 

[wcpfour]

You got to be very careful with the strut spring compressor. I usually keep the strut horizontally and keep my face/body/arms and others away from the sides while I compress the strut spring. You can google on how to use the tool.

You can buy the strut spring compressor at Harbor freight tools for like $15, and yes, it works.

We used simple compressors, much like what I'm guessing you'd find at Harbor, and as you said, worked them on a horizontal surface. I was fortunate that my buddy knew what he was doing. I wouldn't have tried to do it on my own. Having the truck up on a lift also made a HUGE difference.

The only thing I would have done differently, in hindsight, is to replace the factory springs with the '99 Highlander springs for a little more clearance for the bigger tires I eventually plan to put on.

 

[flyinbrick]

Thanks for your input, were there any complications with the installation? Any special modifications or was it a simple bolt on?

Bolt-on, but the most difficult part will be removal of the rear shocks at the top bracket. You'll need a 14mm deep socket on the top nut. Most likely, the nut will be seized onto the shock's threads and the entire shock will just spin as you try to remove the nut. There are several popular methods if you search, but what worked for me is: flatten the shock cover with channel locks, got a huge pipe wrench from Harbor Freight to hold onto it while I cranked on the top nut. I was ready with a sawzall if that didn't work.

I bought my front struts assembled since all those photos of spring compressors bending under strain freaked me out. If I were re-use the springs, I would have just brought the strut to a shop.

Good luck.

 

[Spaceman33]

I've had my 2000 T4R for about a week.

When I go over dips in the road, the right front bounced.

Yesterday I installed Bilstein with the original springs. Ride is better but it still seems my right front bounces.

I'm totally new to this ride.

What else do I need to check?

Thanks

 

[chadsy]

I've had my 2000 T4R for about a week.

When I go over dips in the road, the right front bounced.

Yesterday I installed Bilstein with the original springs. Ride is better but it still seems my right front bounces.

I'm totally new to this ride.

What else do I need to check?

Thanks

Might look at your sway bar links