Shocks 101

H

HNTMUP

New member
I am thinking about replacing the OEM shocks on my 2002 T4R. The current set have 229k on them. I know virtually nothing about shocks, having never replaced them on any vehicle that I own but after 228k my T4R has a but of a list on the drivers side and while the ride isn't bad, it's not great.

Not looking for lift, just a smother ride around town and on the highway. As for off-road, I don't do too much. Mostly sand two-tracks, farm equipment trails and the occasional truck trail.

I would appreciate any advice and a basic education.

Thank you,

JDG
 
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HNTMUP said:
I am thinking about replacing the OEM shocks on my 2002 T4R. The current set have 229k on them. I know virtually nothing about shocks, having never replaced them on any vehicle that I own but after 228k my T4R has a but of a list on the drivers side and while the ride isn't bad, it's not great.

Not looking for lift, just a smother ride around town and on the highway. As for off-road, I don't do too much. Mostly sand two-tracks, farm equipment trails and the occasional truck trail.

I would appreciate any advice and a basic education.

Thank you,

JDG
Click to expand...

I hate to be "that guy" but did you try searching bubba?

If you did you would have found out that the best shock to replace your factory shock without giving any to little lift are ready.......ready........wait for it...... OEM 99 shocks and springs.assuming your springs have 22xxxx miles too I would surely replace them suckers too.

Again not trying to be that guy.but being on here a lot I see these type of threads all the time.the answer Is here you just have to search using the search function on Top right corner.
 
yotallycrazy said:
I hate to be "that guy" but did you try searching bubba?

If you did you would have found out that the best shock to replace your factory shock without giving any to little lift are ready.......ready........wait for it...... OEM 99 shocks and springs.assuming your springs have 22xxxx miles too I would surely replace them suckers too.

Again not trying to be that guy.but being on here a lot I see these type of threads all the time.the answer Is here you just have to search using the search function on Top right corner.
Click to expand...

Actually, he doesn't need 99 springs at all, he can go with a 2002 replacement spring. He said he wanted no lift, 99s would end up giving him a higher ride (01-02 were the lowest sitting 4Runners from factory).

OP, best bet is stock replacement. Tokico shocks were stock. You can also go with Bilstein 4600 HDs (a little pricey) or even with Monroe shocks. Many people have run those and been just happy with them. Your options are plentiful with no lift.
If you want to get new springs, The Monroe quick strut is a good option, along with some Moog replacement coils in the back. You can find all of these on either rockauto.com, or Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Monroe-171351...&newCar=1&s=automotive&vehicleType=automotive

http://www.rockauto.com/
 
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HNTMUP said:
A little life would be OK but not so much as to have a negative effect on the drive train.
Click to expand...

I figured u wouldn't :p

I'm not sure in your situation (02 is a shorty)but I have a 97 and I put brand new oem 99 springs and shocks and I got 1 inch of lift for about 6 months then it settled to .7 which is literally not noticeable
 
I recently replaced shocks/springs and other suspension components on my '99. Went with OEM '99 springs and Bilstein 4600, couldn't be happier.
Here are some part numbers that will help you out:

'99 tall springs:
FR Springs - Blue / Yellow (48131-35400) Passenger Side
FL Springs - Blue / Pink (48131 - 35350) Driver Side
REAR Sprigs - Yellow / Red (48231 - 35210)
Obviously, if you didn't want the slightly taller springs, just sub in the part number for your year model.

Bilstein 4600:
Front - 24-187244 (for 4WD)
Rear - 24-024518
Note: in the front, you will either have to use the old strut mounts and bumper, or buy new - the Bilstein do not come with them. You may not need the new mounts unless your current ones are rusted out or otherwise in bad shape, but I would recommend getting new bumpers.
OEM versions are pretty cheap, so I went with them:
Lower strut mount - 90080-94195
Upper strut mount - 90948-A2003
Strut bumper - 90948-01056

Coil spring insulator (rear) - 48302-60051
These are OEM, couldn't find an aftermarket version. These are cone shaped rubber bumpers that go on top of the spring - probably not completely necessary for you to change them, but I wanted everything new so I did.

For the top hat (front) I went with the KYB SM5184

Hope this helps.
 
Millerad1651 said:
Actually, he doesn't need 99 springs at all, he can go with a 2002 replacement spring. He said he wanted no lift, 99s would end up giving him a higher ride (01-02 were the lowest sitting 4Runners from factory).

OP, best bet is stock replacement. Tokico shocks were stock. You can also go with Bilstein 4600 HDs (a little pricey) or even with Monroe shocks. Many people have run those and been just happy with them. Your options are plentiful with no lift.
If you want to get new springs, The Monroe quick strut is a good option, along with some Moog replacement coils in the back. You can find all of these on either rockauto.com, or Amazon.

Amazon.com: Monroe 171351R Front Strut and Coil Spring Assembly: Automotive

RockAuto Parts Catalog
Click to expand...

Can you clarify how it is that Monroe quick strut would go in the front? I thought the front only has shocks covered by coils (Or 'coilovers'), and the rear has separate springs/coils and shocks?
 
amalik said:
Can you clarify how it is that Monroe quick strut would go in the front? I thought the front only has shocks covered by coils (Or 'coilovers'), and the rear has separate springs/coils and shocks?
Click to expand...

I would assume it mounts just like the stock setup. It has the three bolts in the top hat that fit in the top mount, and the single mount at the bottom. If you look at the pick of the quick strut on Amazon or Rockauto, you can see the mounting points are exactly the same as stock.

These guys had no problem...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-quick-struts-moog-rear-coils-after-pics.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/98426-monroe-quick-struts.html

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/complete-strut-installation-question-234051/
 
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Millerad1651 said:
I would assume it mounts just like the stock setup. It has the three bolts in the top hat that fit in the top mount, and the single mount at the bottom. If you look at the pick of the quick strut on Amazon or Rockauto, you can see the mounting points are exactly the same as stock.

These guys had no problem...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-quick-struts-moog-rear-coils-after-pics.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/98426-monroe-quick-struts.html

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/complete-strut-installation-question-234051/
Click to expand...
Cool.. so do you have to put a shock absorber in them, or just put them on as they come?
 
A strut is a coil-over. A "coil" spring "over" a shock. The term started being used to describe fancier aftermarket strut assemblies, particularly adjustable ones. Most of the time people replace worn out struts, but that typically means only the shock portion separately because it is the only worn out component. The entire strut is the assembly as a whole and "quick struts" are the easier way of replacing them because you don't have to assemble anything by compressing the spring and everything.

For standard original ride quality, a quick strut would be the best and probably cheapest way to replace the front suspension. Just unbolt the old and bolt in the new. Less than 15 minutes.

As the others have said, at that mileage, the springs are probably pretty tired too. If you're replacing the front springs, just go with quick struts. The rear springs and rear shocks are mounted in different locations isolated from one another instead of as one unit like a strut is.

If you know nothing about shocks/struts, then I don't recommend you experiment for the first time with a spring compressor on your own. I'd go with quick struts in the front, new rear springs and new rear shocks.

btw, the rear shocks can be a pain if they're original with that kind of mileage. You'll likely have to break/cut them out. The nut on top of the shock is reachable, but usually totally rusted on. A metal blade on a reciprocating saw right beside the rubber bushing is a quick and easy way to get the old one out.
 
Ok, I have been trying to follow this and, as I said in my initial post, I really know nothing about suspension systems. Sounds like I should do something after 228k miles, the question is what? Shocks only? Shocks and new coils (99's will give me a little lift).

Another question: I believe using springs to give me lift is referred to as a suspension lift and relatively inexpensive. However, there is a risk that the lift will change the geometry of the drive shaft and will result in additional wear - not good. Is that correct?

I appreciate your patience and the education.

JDG
 
Front lifts can cause the CV axle boots to wear/tear/slip and if this goes unchecked, the CVs will lose grease and eventually fail.

It sounds like you want to just freshen things up. If you're literally not dissatisfied with the current height/stance of the vehicle, at all, just replace the struts up front, and shocks in the back. Bilstein 5100s are very nice, but you can go with OEM or Monroe, etc. if you just want a better ride than you have on 200k+mile components.

If you feel the vehicle is sagging a bit, consider replacing springs in those areas with OEM replacements for the model year you have, in addition to struts and shocks.

If you would like to lift it a tiny bit, consider 99 tall springs, in addition to struts and shocks.

Beyond that, you're talking about some aftermarket springs and more than a 1" lift.
 
tre9er said:
Front lifts can cause the CV axle boots to wear/tear/slip and if this goes unchecked, the CVs will lose grease and eventually fail.

It sounds like you want to just freshen things up. If you're literally not dissatisfied with the current height/stance of the vehicle, at all, just replace the struts up front, and shocks in the back. Bilstein 5100s are very nice, but you can go with OEM or Monroe, etc. if you just want a better ride than you have on 200k+mile components.

If you feel the vehicle is sagging a bit, consider replacing springs in those areas with OEM replacements for the model year you have, in addition to struts and shocks.

If you would like to lift it a tiny bit, consider 99 tall springs, in addition to struts and shocks.

Beyond that, you're talking about some aftermarket springs and more than a 1" lift.
Click to expand...

So, top shelf would be new struts up front, 5100's in the back and using 99 tall springs would give me a little lift. Together, a better ride and a little lift. Any long terms consequences (like those you mentioned above) of this set up?

Thanks,

JDG
 
From what I've read, you don't need to worry about the consequences of changed geometry for anything 2" or less over stock. For your '02 (and my '01) the standard height is lower than the earlier years in our generation. As such, replacing your springs with '99 talls will give you a lift slightly taller than 1", but you dont need to worry about your CVs, brake lines, etc with such a mild increase.

My current plan is to go with 99 springs front and rear and 5100s front and rear. The advantage of this setup is that you not only get the better shocks, but if you decide to upgrade to even taller springs later, the 5100s have the additional travel available to accommodate taller springs, so you can keep them if you go taller later.
 
Looks like a set of 4-5100's is going to run ~$300 and are pretty easy to find. Where can I find '99 springs and approx what will they cost me?
 
HNTMUP said:
So, top shelf would be new struts up front, 5100's in the back and using 99 tall springs would give me a little lift. Together, a better ride and a little lift. Any long terms consequences (like those you mentioned above) of this set up?

Thanks,

JDG
Click to expand...

I doubt your CVs puke due to a 99 tall setup, but just keep your eyes on them. Check them daily, then weekly, etc. If you do see any spitting of grease, just stretch and reclamp them, unless it's a LOT of grease.
 
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