shocks?

[warriorwagner]

Unless you add longer springs there will be no lift. Struts do not add height (unless they have adjustable spring perches). They simply dampen the spring action. The stiffer the strut the harder they dampen.

That's why you need to replace the rear springs for sag. But since you have to disconnect the rear struts anyway that would be the perfect time to replace them if necessary.

Thanks, I'll work on this later next month. So new shocks/springs in the rear for ride height and better ride. New struts forward for just a better ride.

 

[hert1028]

anyone tried the bilstein 4600? I might go with bilstein also.

 

[Scramble]

I'm having twins and need a smoother ride.. my current shocks are too stiff and hits the bumps hard. My brother works for orielly and i'll have him check them out for me. Need something that will absorb bumps.

I would put in new shocks & OEM springs. When my truck was new it rode almost like a Caddy. I still have my original's in & the ride sucks over bumps.
This will change very soon.

 

[hert1028]

I would put in new shocks & OEM springs. When my truck was new it rode almost like a Caddy. I still have my original's in & the ride sucks over bumps.
This will change very soon.

as of now I'm debating on KYB's or bilstein with OEM springs.. prob do some more reseach before buying.

 

[Scramble]

stock OEM shocks are around $500 and I am scared to spend that money and find out that it's not the shocks but at this point I need to start somewhere. My wife is pregnant with twins and she can't stand the ride. It's my daily driver and now with twins on the way I need to figure something out.

My brother works at Orielly's and he can get a discount. I was planning to get springs there and oem shocks from Toyota. Lets hope it's a better ride.

I would do the opposite & get springs from Toyota & the best shocks you can afford from Orielly.

 

[gamefreakgc]

So OEM shocks and new coils in the rear will help my sag issue and ride better. Then new KYB gas-a-just struts in the front with current coils and that will help with the ride in the front? Will it lift the front too? I'm just worried it'll be a nice height in the back and not high enough up front.

Am I over thinking this?

No, not necessarily over thinking. It might lean forward a little bit, but probably not much. You will re-gain lost lift in the rear, but none of these parts mentioned will lift the vehicle any more than stock height. You had just mentioned trying to save money, so I didn't add replacing the coils for the front suspension. If you find the truck dips forward when braking, then you might need new front coils anyway. Worn suspension parts will ruin your tie rods and tires very fast.

P.S. replacing the front shocks/coils is a two man job. Or at least much easier with two.

 

[vanion2]

I just finished the rear KYB struts install. By myself and doing this for the first time it took me 4 hours. After everything was finished I took it for a 20 minute drive on a mix of highway and city streets covering grooved to pot holes for a full test (and lunch) and with everything else original parts I can honestly say this: Forget the OEM rear struts. Mine were still functional but compared to the KYBs they were very harsh. The KYBs absorbed the bumps and pot holes well, kept the rear nice and planted, and for $80 were a bargain. I am amazed at how harsh the OEM ones are in comparison. No jitters, no bouncing, just a firm smooth ride. Makes me want to test them off road but I will wait until the fronts are done.

Make sure you have either a strap wrench or a metal cutting tool because when trying to remove the 14mm top bolt it isn't going to break loose unless you keep the dust cover from moving. Not the shaft, but the actual dust cover. I cut part of it off and used a channel lock on the shaft and still couldn't get the top bolt loose. I cut a rectangle in the dust cover and used the channel locks to wedge the dust cover from spinning and was finally able to break the top bolt loose. A good strap wrench would be easier but I couldn't find mine.

I can tell the fronts definitely need to be replaced because I can feel a little bit of chattering where the bushings have worn out. Unfortunately due to UPS punching a hole in one of the front strut boxes I have to wait until next weekend to finish that up.

Keep in mind I am still using original springs all around so your results may vary based on the springs you buy. I would suggest getting Toyota OEM springs.

 

[hert1028]

I just finished the rear KYB struts install. By myself and doing this for the first time it took me 4 hours. After everything was finished I took it for a 20 minute drive on a mix of highway and city streets covering grooved to pot holes for a full test (and lunch) and with everything else original parts I can honestly say this: Forget the OEM rear struts. Mine were still functional but compared to the KYBs they were very harsh. The KYBs absorbed the bumps and pot holes well, kept the rear nice and planted, and for $80 were a bargain. I am amazed at how harsh the OEM ones are in comparison. No jitters, no bouncing, just a firm smooth ride. Makes me want to test them off road but I will wait until the fronts are done.

Make sure you have either a strap wrench or a metal cutting tool because when trying to remove the 14mm top bolt it isn't going to break loose unless you keep the dust cover from moving. Not the shaft, but the actual dust cover. I cut part of it off and used a channel lock on the shaft and still couldn't get the top bolt loose. I cut a rectangle in the dust cover and used the channel locks to wedge the dust cover from spinning and was finally able to break the top bolt loose. A good strap wrench would be easier but I couldn't find mine.

I can tell the fronts definitely need to be replaced because I can feel a little bit of chattering where the bushings have worn out. Unfortunately due to UPS punching a hole in one of the front strut boxes I have to wait until next weekend to finish that up.

Keep in mind I am still using original springs all around so your results may vary based on the springs you buy. I would suggest getting Toyota OEM springs.

Thanks!! Just the answer I need. What model KYB did you get?

 

[MTD]

Just an install tip, dont bother cutting anything. Take a channel lock and crush the dust cover take the longest wrench you can get on the top bolt and it will either come off or just snap. It is much much much easier than messing around with cutting it. You have to be pretty strong to do it or have a friend but it works awesome.

 

[warriorwagner]

No, not necessarily over thinking. It might lean forward a little bit, but probably not much. You will re-gain lost lift in the rear, but none of these parts mentioned will lift the vehicle any more than stock height. You had just mentioned trying to save money, so I didn't add replacing the coils for the front suspension. If you find the truck dips forward when braking, then you might need new front coils anyway. Worn suspension parts will ruin your tie rods and tires very fast.

P.S. replacing the front shocks/coils is a two man job. Or at least much easier with two.

I might as well just get new suspension all around, with using KYB all around and non-OEM coils, I should spend just about $300 and do all the work myself.

Thanks for the help.

 

[vanion2]

Thanks!! Just the answer I need. What model KYB did you get?

KYB KG45317 gas-a-just for the rears.
KYB KG9025 gas-a-just for the fronts.

I used Speedy's YouTube video to walk me through everything before tackling it. Very detailed and even though he is doing a lift the process is the same.

 

[vanion2]

Just an install tip, dont bother cutting anything. Take a channel lock and crush the dust cover take the longest wrench you can get on the top bolt and it will either come off or just snap. It is much much much easier than messing around with cutting it. You have to be pretty strong to do it or have a friend but it works awesome.

Or just use a strap wrench. I used a cheater bar on the top bolt after a liberal dose of WD40. That works well too if the Hulk isn't around when you attack your suspension.

 

[hert1028]

Or just use a strap wrench. I used a cheater bar on the top bolt after a liberal dose of WD40. That works well too if the Hulk isn't around when you attack your suspension.

Just picked up all 4 from o'reillys. Hopefully will get them in today.

 

[3bears]

let us know how it goes and what you think of the ride. not only bumps but cornering

my next big project is big brakes and LBJ's
next is then springs and shocks. Have always been happy with KYB Gas-adjust and bilstein sports. my shocks feel fine, but got that saggin-wagon blues. At 150k might as well do it all.
of course if I had the bucks, would just do it all on the same weekend

 

[vanion2]

Rear springs are an easy swap. That coming from me is saying a lot. Lol.

Will update the ride report when finished.

 

[warriorwagner]

Just picked up all 4 from o'reillys. Hopefully will get them in today.

Please let us know how it goes and how they ride, pics to if you can. If it goes well for you, I'm going to do the same next week to include new coils in the rear. My 4runner needs new shocks, bumps are terrible and a rough ride.

Thanks

 

[warriorwagner]

Just picked up all 4 from o'reillys. Hopefully will get them in today.

Anything to report????

 

[hert1028]

Anything to report????

I bought they KYB gas-a-just and replaced them on Sunday with stock springs. So far I like the ride. I tried to go over every pot hole and bump on the road and it handled well. Freeway is a lot more comfortable compared to what I had.

I will update again in a couple of months.

 

[vanion2]

I bought they KYB gas-a-just and replaced them on Sunday with stock springs. So far I like the ride. I tried to go over every pot hole and bump on the road and it handled well. Freeway is a lot more comfortable compared to what I had.

I will update again in a couple of months.

How did the install on the fronts go? Pretty straight forward?

 

[hert1028]

How did the install on the fronts go? Pretty straight forward?

yes, straight forward..