Plan for new shocks/struts

[Mhayden37]

My rear shocks are starting to leak a little bit. I'll be replacing them in the next few months, but need a plan. I can turn a wrench, but have not done a lot of work on vehicles outside of oil changes, coolant flush, differentials, and spark plugs. (wood is my more comfortable media for working). Anyways, I see all these posts about FJ Cruiser springs and Bilstein 5100s etc. My intention is to do the work with my neighbor (airline mechanic with all the tools). Here's what I'd like, so tell me what I need and any links to "how-to's" would be great!

Mostly rough country roads driven and in town use but often use 4WD in snow and several times a year venture on forest roads and some slick/swampy trails to go hunting. No rock crawling. I'd love to lift it just a little bit to make it look a little better. It's got the 17" wheels and I will be buying tires next fall, so that certainly plays into this equation.

So, what parts do I need? What tires do you suggest? How do I do all this? Do I need to rent a spring compressor? I'd like to take care of the rear suspension now and I'll deal with the front next summer when I've saved some money and install the new CV axles.

Oh yeah, stock suspension, no XREAS.

 

[Mhayden37]

My rear shocks are starting to leak a little bit. I'll be replacing them in the next few months, but need a plan. I can turn a wrench, but have not done a lot of work on vehicles outside of oil changes, coolant flush, differentials, and spark plugs. (wood is my more comfortable media for working). Anyways, I see all these posts about FJ Cruiser springs and Bilstein 5100s etc. My intention is to do the work with my neighbor (airline mechanic with all the tools). Here's what I'd like, so tell me what I need and any links to "how-to's" would be great!

Mostly rough country roads driven and in town use but often use 4WD in snow and several times a year venture on forest roads and some slick/swampy trails to go hunting. No rock crawling. I'd love to lift it just a little bit to make it look a little better. It's got the 17" wheels and I will be buying tires next fall, so that certainly plays into this equation.

So, what parts do I need? What tires do you suggest? How do I do all this? Do I need to rent a spring compressor? I'd like to take care of the rear suspension now and I'll deal with the front next summer when I've saved some money and install the new CV axles.

Oh yeah, stock suspension, no XREAS.

Also, sorry, but I cannot find all of these answers on here. I know they are already, but I haven't spent enough time learning how to find everything. I really appreciate everyone's help.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

My rear shocks are starting to leak a little bit. I'll be replacing them in the next few months, but need a plan. I can turn a wrench, but have not done a lot of work on vehicles outside of oil changes, coolant flush, differentials, and spark plugs. (wood is my more comfortable media for working). Anyways, I see all these posts about FJ Cruiser springs and Bilstein 5100s etc. My intention is to do the work with my neighbor (airline mechanic with all the tools). Here's what I'd like, so tell me what I need and any links to "how-to's" would be great!

Mostly rough country roads driven and in town use but often use 4WD in snow and several times a year venture on forest roads and some slick/swampy trails to go hunting. No rock crawling. I'd love to lift it just a little bit to make it look a little better. It's got the 17" wheels and I will be buying tires next fall, so that certainly plays into this equation.

So, what parts do I need? What tires do you suggest? How do I do all this? Do I need to rent a spring compressor? I'd like to take care of the rear suspension now and I'll deal with the front next summer when I've saved some money and install the new CV axles.

Oh yeah, stock suspension, no XREAS.

well i see you're in WI, so be prepared to do some cutting if necessary. i have an 04 that spent its whole life in NY, and i needed to drill out the nut on the rear shock top mount. if it isn't seized, the lower shock bolt comes out pretty easily, but the top may give you trouble because there is no really easy way to hold the shock in place while you try to turn the nut.

i replaced mine with 5100's and icon rear springs. the shocks go on very easily, and you won't need a spring compressor for fj rear springs. most people use the method of one side at a time, so they can push down on one side of the axle in order to get adequate room to slide the spring in. i have removed the bolt in the lower panhard bar mount so it moves a little easier, but it isn't necessary i don't think.

as for the parts you'll need, an assortment of wrenches and sockets, possibly a breaker bar, a set of drill bits if you need to drill out a nut.

 

[Mhayden37]

well i see you're in WI, so be prepared to do some cutting if necessary. i have an 04 that spent its whole life in NY, and i needed to drill out the nut on the rear shock top mount. if it isn't seized, the lower shock bolt comes out pretty easily, but the top may give you trouble because there is no really easy way to hold the shock in place while you try to turn the nut.

i replaced mine with 5100's and icon rear springs. the shocks go on very easily, and you won't need a spring compressor for fj rear springs. most people use the method of one side at a time, so they can push down on one side of the axle in order to get adequate room to slide the spring in. i have removed the bolt in the lower panhard bar mount so it moves a little easier, but it isn't necessary i don't think.

as for the parts you'll need, an assortment of wrenches and sockets, possibly a breaker bar, a set of drill bits if you need to drill out a nut.

It looks like you did exactly what I'm looking to do. As far as parts I was asking what springs, shocks, struts I need to purchase to get all of this done. My understanding is FJ cruiser springs for the front, bilstein 5100 shocks for the front and rear and I'm set to go?

 

[cpark_12]

It looks like you did exactly what I'm looking to do. As far as parts I was asking what springs, shocks, struts I need to purchase to get all of this done. My understanding is FJ cruiser springs for the front, bilstein 5100 shocks for the front and rear and I'm set to go?

That'll depend on how much lift you want.

 

[Mhayden37]

That'll depend on how much lift you want.

I'm looking for an inch or so. Not for off-road purposes just for a little more rugged look. I've got the 17" tires.

 

[jacob7071]

Unless you're getting the front struts assembled, you'll either need a spring compressor, or you'll need to take the struts to a shop and have them assembled.

I used the install instructions from the Toytec website to install mine. They were pretty much spot on. I found 3 things that were pretty difficult.

1. Getting the lower front shock bolt back in - I really had to pry down on the LCA to make it fit, but I have a 1.25" top-out spacer. It should be easier with a pre-load spacer or a smaller top-out.

2. Getting the LBJ bolts back in - I had to use the stock jack to raise the LCA (which compressed the spring) enough to get the bolts back in.

3. Removing the rear shock top bolt - I had to use a dremmel to cut the rear shock boot to gain access to the shock shaft. Then I used a pair of vice grips to keep the shaft from turning as I removed the top bolt.

I was like you a year ago - I wanted to do the lift myself, but I had only ever done the routine maintenance like oil change, brake pads, spark plugs and the like. The shocks/springs were not a whole lot more difficult. I'd say plan for a day, and go for it. I have no hesitation about driving on the suspension I replaced myself.

As far as parts, you'll only need the front and rear shocks and FJ cruiser 4x4 springs. You can re-use your top plates, front coil isolators and rear coil bump stops. I won't get into tires as I have a 2wd, paved-roads-only vehicle.

 

[cpark_12]

I'm looking for an inch or so. Not for off-road purposes just for a little more rugged look. I've got the 17" tires.

I say try to find sine tacoma trd struts and spring for the front and the trd shocks for the rear. You should be able too find them as a set still pretty cheap and install is fairly straight forward

 

[hkollie1]

I highly recommend the "no spring compressor" method.... Use the search tool for that... Or google...

I have done spring compressor method 2x's and no compressor method 2 x's... Big, big time and happiness improvement. I will never use them again.

Plan on a 4 wheel alignment when you are done.

Be prepared to cut nuts as mentioned. I used a saw all with metal blade.... Only needed for the top rear shock nut once and for a frozen, rusted front sway bar linkage ( then I needed to buy a new linkage $32). So in 4 jobs, only cut 2 nuts.

Do your research, keep you tube, service manual print offs and forum threads handy! I have referred to them during the job, (torque specs etc).

Enjoy

 

[wnelax04sr5]

It looks like you did exactly what I'm looking to do. As far as parts I was asking what springs, shocks, struts I need to purchase to get all of this done. My understanding is FJ cruiser springs for the front, bilstein 5100 shocks for the front and rear and I'm set to go?

in a parts sense, mostly. i would order new top mounts and the bushings and washers from toytec, just good peace of mind to have

 

[gm350reratliff]

I highly recommend the "no spring compressor" method.... Use the search tool for that... Or google...

I have done spring compressor method 2x's and no compressor method 2 x's... Big, big time and happiness improvement. I will never use them again.

Plan on a 4 wheel alignment when you are done.

Be prepared to cut nuts as mentioned. I used a saw all with metal blade.... Only needed for the top rear shock nut once and for a frozen, rusted front sway bar linkage ( then I needed to buy a new linkage $32). So in 4 jobs, only cut 2 nuts.

Do your research, keep you tube, service manual print offs and forum threads handy! I have referred to them during the job, (torque specs etc).

Enjoy

I would also recommend the no compressor method. Here is a guide: OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Before even starting, I'd check the front suspension for any other items needed such as ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings, bearings. If you think the LCA cam-bolts are seized, I would pick a set of those up as well. As for parts;

Bilstein Height adjustable front and matching 5100 Rear shocks

I would look into buying a set of used FJ 4x4 springs to use. You can score those pretty cheap sometimes. FJ springs alone will give you about a 1" lift so factor that into your suspension setup.

 

[Mhayden37]

Thanks for all the info. I think I have a pretty solid plan moving forward now. You guys helped me feel more confident in what I am planning on doing. Probably won't happen until March as I'll spend the next few months gathering parts. Also want to wait until the garage is a little warmer if I'm gonna be out there all day. (Thermometer was at 37 this morning and it's an insulated garage.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Thanks for all the info. I think I have a pretty solid plan moving forward now. You guys helped me feel more confident in what I am planning on doing. Probably won't happen until March as I'll spend the next few months gathering parts. Also want to wait until the garage is a little warmer if I'm gonna be out there all day. (Thermometer was at 37 this morning and it's an insulated garage.

my last two suspension installs were both in december.... boy do i wish i had patience

 

[LS2Cobra]

If your rear shock nuts seem frozen or are just a general PITA, drill into the side of the OE shock cover at an off angle so you're not drilling at the shock's shaft, but rather next to it. Stick a screwdriver in there and use that to keep it from spinning.

I was installing used FJ springs and shocks so cutting off the nut wasn't an option for me - I needed that nut!

If you're not keen on spending 5100-level $$ and won't be doing serious off-roading, consider a set of new or used FJ shocks. I find the valving on the factory FJ shocks to be very pleasing for general driveabout use. It's firmer than the 4R valving but it's still comfy.