Why is my removed OEM front strut longer than my new OEM front strut?

[BigDummy]

This is my first time trying to replace the suspension. All new OEM struts and springs, but my old struts measure longer.

Does the spring expand the shock further than its resting position? I tried extending it but it seemed pretty firm not wanting to expand the 1.5" i would need for it to be the same length as my old strut.

Part number is the same on both 48510-35100.

Old part - 21.25"
New part 19.75"

I compressed the new spring maybe 1/2" more than the ones currently installed and it was getting really hard to compress anymore.

 

[shadow247]

Have to mount the springs on there and see what happens. I imagine the spring will push up on the strut and allow it to extend to it's full length.

 

[Boognish_Forever]

What year is your 4runner?

 

[FD7683]

If it's the same part number (or identical), then I would mount the spring on and see what happens. Chances are that it might expand when mounting the spring on. If it doesn't fit, then it's probably the wrong part #. As someone said - whats the year? It might be a different # number since the 1999 model got the facelift, and the 01-02 got upgrades as well.

__________________
2000 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 Limited Sport Edition V6

 

[BigDummy]

I have a 2001 SR5 4x4

 

[FD7683]

Did my research and confirmed that part #4851039585 fits your 2001 SR5 4x4. The original part # is odd because it should fit AND I couldn't get a result when I typed in the part # on the Toyota Parts website (might've been discontinued long time ago).

__________________
2000 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 Limited Sport Edition V6

 

[chaincleaner]

I know very little and have yet to work on suspension. But, it is interesting to note the difference between the two at the bottom of the damper, where it meets the big washer type disc. I don’t know the correct names for parts of a shock. More importantly I wanted to mention that besides that slight variation and the length discrepancy, the only visible difference is that the upper damper shell ends further up the shock on the new one, but appears to be the same length as the corresponding upper shell on your original. This suggests that the shock is indeed merely stretched out by the spring, and they are the same. Again, I don’t know shit. I don’t even know how to take the spring off or put it on.

Edit: the first difference I noted was a mistake- it’s just the bottom of the spring. It’s dustiness made me think it was part of the damper.

 

[negusm]

Yes, you need to put the spring on. I think I had the same thought when I swapped my OEMs and it just wasn't extended as far.

Why is the upper bearing installed on the new ones without the spring?

 

[brillo_76]

What year is your 4runner?

+1 with Boognish_Forever. Looks like a standard strut vs a 1999 one inch higher strut to me...:Cry:

OP it will not go out the other 1.5 inches??

 

[Boognish_Forever]

I hate switching strut springs out. They always put me on edge. especially if you have to really clamp down on that spring to make it fit that new strut. The odd thing is that the 01 and 02 sit the lowest out of all 3rd gens (correct me if I’m wrong) so you would think being yours is an 01 it should be the right strut. You might be lucky and have the 99 tall springs and need to get the correct strut for that spring. Where did you buy the new struts?

 

[Bad Luck]

The factory struts are the same length for all 3rd gen 4Runners. Only the spring is different depending on the year. the strut on the left is collapsed and will expand once you install the spring.