Portland oregon

Well fellas, I spent the last 4 hours trying to install my new Bilstein HD rear shocks!! I went to take the old shocks off and quickly discovered that I was going to need a deep socket 14mm socket to take the top bolt off. So I lowered the 4runner back down and drove to the auto parts store to buy a 14mm deep socket. Got back, jacked the rear end up again and got the old shocks off no problem at all. None of the bolts were seized or rusted. BUT I couldn't get the new ones on. First I couldn't get the axel to droop low enough to get the bottom shock bolt on. Then, when I tried to tighten the top nut on the shock I realized that the Bilsteins don't use a 14mm nut, they use a 17mm nut. I was able to get away with a non-deep socket at that point. Then when I tried to tighten the top nut the shaft would just spin. With the old shocks the shaft would not spin, it was stationary. So I tried placing one of those rubber pads (that you use to take lids off of jars in the kitchen) around the shaft to protect it and then clamped a pair of vice grips around the shaft to hold it in place. No luck. Then I noticed on the other Bilstein shock that there is a allen wrench placement at the top of the shock shaft. So looked around for my allen wrenches and all I could find was my English set, no Metric...DANG! So again I reassembled the old shocks on to the 4runner, drove to the store to buy metric allen wrenches, and gave up for the day. I still had to be able to drive to work in a few hours. [/rant]

Any suggestions on:

1) how I can make the axel droop lower so I can bolt the lower portion of the shock? I tried jacking up the opposite side of the axel but that didn't help. Tried to loosen the bolts for the lower control arm and sway bar, but couldn't get the bolts to budge.

2) how to tighten that upper bolt? I can get a socket wrench up there, but then that means I can't insert an allen wrench on the top part of the shaft. I tried using an open end spanner but the angle is too tight for it to go around the nut on the top.

Maybe if someone is in the area has done this before I could drive over to your house and get some help in the next week or so while I'm on Spring Break. This is my first time installing shocks on any vehicle, but it seems so straight forward.
 
When I did my billies I used vise grips and a t-shirt(your jar opener sounds better) and just put the vise grips as high up on the shaft as possible in case I did score the shaft a little. It worked for me.

Also, you could try jacking down(carefully) on the side of the axle your working on to get it low enough to get the bottom mount in place.

edit: I fell for ya'. I had all these exact same problems when I did mine. I don't know what the **** the guys at toyota were thinking when they designed that top shock mount. I have seen some people cut the splash shield and go in from the wheel well, too.
 
Last edited:
Sherwood4Runner said:
Well fellas, I spent the last 4 hours trying to install my new Bilstein HD rear shocks!! I went to take the old shocks off and quickly discovered that I was going to need a deep socket 14mm socket to take the top bolt off. So I lowered the 4runner back down and drove to the auto parts store to buy a 14mm deep socket. Got back, jacked the rear end up again and got the old shocks off no problem at all. None of the bolts were seized or rusted. BUT I couldn't get the new ones on. First I couldn't get the axel to droop low enough to get the bottom shock bolt on. Then, when I tried to tighten the top nut on the shock I realized that the Bilsteins don't use a 14mm nut, they use a 17mm nut. I was able to get away with a non-deep socket at that point. Then when I tried to tighten the top nut the shaft would just spin. With the old shocks the shaft would not spin, it was stationary. So I tried placing one of those rubber pads (that you use to take lids off of jars in the kitchen) around the shaft to protect it and then clamped a pair of vice grips around the shaft to hold it in place. No luck. Then I noticed on the other Bilstein shock that there is a allen wrench placement at the top of the shock shaft. So looked around for my allen wrenches and all I could find was my English set, no Metric...DANG! So again I reassembled the old shocks on to the 4runner, drove to the store to buy metric allen wrenches, and gave up for the day. I still had to be able to drive to work in a few hours. [/rant]

Any suggestions on:

1) how I can make the axel droop lower so I can bolt the lower portion of the shock? I tried jacking up the opposite side of the axel but that didn't help. Tried to loosen the bolts for the lower control arm and sway bar, but couldn't get the bolts to budge.

2) how to tighten that upper bolt? I can get a socket wrench up there, but then that means I can't insert an allen wrench on the top part of the shaft. I tried using an open end spanner but the angle is too tight for it to go around the nut on the top.

Maybe if someone is in the area has done this before I could drive over to your house and get some help in the next week or so while I'm on Spring Break. This is my first time installing shocks on any vehicle, but it seems so straight forward.
Click to expand...

I recommend that you get a full set of metric sockets, box wrenches and allen wrenches since you own a Japanese vehicle.

I had the same issue with the rear not dropping enough. I had a fried step on the brake drum to lower it. one side at a time.
 
ryankmasuda said:
I recommend that you get a full set of metric sockets, box wrenches and allen wrenches since you own a Japanese vehicle.

I had the same issue with the rear not dropping enough. I had a fried step on the brake drum to lower it. one side at a time.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. I actually have a full set of regular length metric sockets, a set of metric box wrenches, and used to have a set of metric allen wrenches. I guess the allen wrenches got lost in my most recent move. So yes a full set of deep socket metric sockets and a new set of allen wrenches are on my 'to buy' list for sure!

Good idea with the standing on the brake drum. I tried sitting on it to lower it but it didn't help much. I'll have to get a friend over soon to lend a foot. Thanks!
 
Here you will find the latest monthly meeting event for the NW Oregon area. I'll keep this first post edited with the latest

Rules For Each Event
-For wheeling and demos, safety is number one. Treading lightly will be observed as well.
-It's more about attitude than what you drive or how you drive it.
-Any vehicle welcome, but remember we are focusing on Tacomas.
-Try to keep it clean. I want people to feel OK about bringing their family
-Skill and/or vehicle restriction will be noted in the event listing
-All vehicles must be in working order


Last Event
Annual OR/WA TSF Camping and Wheeling Meet
June 10th - 12th

Pictures can be found here

Next Event

Sand Lake Run
March 31st, 2012

Sand Lake has something for everyone, from the first time driver to the thrill seekers. Miles and miles of sand dunes and beach to drive on!

Some members have expressed interest in camping Saturday night. Please mention if you are doing this and if there's something you are bringing.
Camping Info here

If this is your first offroad experience, or you would simply like to know more about how to use your vehicle and recovery, please contact me (Chickenmunga) or Zach (04LTTacoma).
Zach has been driving in the sand enough that it's in his blood. If you want to know how to conquer the beach, he's your man.
I have had experience driving and practicing safe recovery techniques with the Northwest FJ Cruiser Club. I have also attended a seminar with world-renowned trainer Bill Burke. If you need to know how your vehicle works or how to use your safety equipment, I would be happy to assist.

I will be riding as a passenger for this trip, so I am more than happy to take time with those who need more assistance or want a copilot.

Organizer(s): 04LTTacoma

Meeting Area/Time:
McDonald's
9975 Northwest Glencoe Road,
North Plains, OR 97133

7:00 AM, vehicles roll out at 7:30 AM

Rules:

Skill level is open to all levels.

Although we keep things safe, please bring all your recovery gear. Straps break, winches fail, and not all of us have all the tools we should.
Don't forget your OHV permit! It is mandatory!
There is a $5 CASH mandatory fee for park usage.
You will need a flag for your vehicle. You can pick it up on site.
Please bring a CB if you have it. It makes coordination on the trails much easier. CB Channel 22 unless you hear otherwise.

Current roster:
People in blue are camping
01.04LTtacoma
02.Chickenmunga (as a passenger)
03.JoeTacoma02
04.Mitch
05.derekabraham
06.kalamakid
07.Taco03 (meeting at Sand Lake)
08.mountainwolfpup (bringing the motherlode of camp stuff)
09.Vance (Zach's buddy)
10.JABracingTRD
11.Benson X
12. Steve (Benson X's friend, passenger)
13.wstcstriderz
14.gdry06
15.bradsuzu
16. Dan (Zach's buddy)
17. Timicha (and Russelzilla?)
 
Phew...I got the rear shocks installed today after a trip to the Home Depot. I ended up using a box wrench that was bent down towards the end along with a allen wrench socket to get the top nut tightened correctly. Went much better this time around and boy did these shocks make a difference. So much less body roll going around corners.
 
MVI 0888 - YouTube

6887702668_7dab26537d_b.jpg~original
 
The past two weeks I've spotted two 3rd gens off Marine drive by Terminal 4 and 5. One was the brighter red and one was green. Both lifted and running 285's. I don't think I've seen either rigs on here.
 
derekabraham said:
These guys don't do anything it seems like. :p



Come on guys! Start heading out to Tacomaworld events! They're a lot of fun!
Click to expand...

I swear I wheel!!! ;):D

My buddy has some land in Sherwood where we hit but that's mostly mud which most people don't like and where I spend most of my time now.
 
I'm only 5 minutes from Sherwood!
And of course Sherwood4Runner is pretty close too :lmao:

If it's only mud pits, then ehhh. But if there's more to it and others are welcome/invited, hit us up!

It's been too damm long y'all!!!
I think I'm having withdrawals!!!
 
Well I got me a job now so first things first, getting the struts and rear shocks for my lift and then lifting the runner, and then ill be up for some wheeling too, now that I can afford the gas
 
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