Help with Replacing Front Shocks

Hey Guys, this is my first time replacing the front shocks on my 2001 Tacoma 4wd. V6. I am prepping to do the job and wanted to know from any one who has done it before if the had recommendations? Or what kind of parts I needed to do the job? I am buying two sets of Bilsteins 4600s to replace but do i need to buy any extra screws? Coil springs or other parts that get replaced while I am doing the job? Also any good youtube videos that I can use? Thanks.

 

Not sure on your location, but up here in New England, the (3) nuts holding coilover assembly to the mount were rusted and I stripped them out. I had to cut them off with a rotary tool.

Do not loosen the center nut retaining the top piece (strut mount) of the assembly over the coil while on the truck. Do this after the coil has been compressed with a spring compressor.
Not sure on how many miles you have, if you need to replace the coils themselves.
You will need a spring compressor, regardless, to either transfer the old coils over to the new shocks or put new coils on.
May be a good idea to buy new strut mounts (The top piece that retains the coil over the shock).

Torque spec for the bottom bolt holding the bottom of the shock to the LCA is 101 ft*lb. The top (3) nuts are 47 ft*lb.

If it were me, I would spend a little bit more to get the adjustable Bilstein 5100s.

 

I did this job a few months back. I had over 200,000 miles on my original shocks & springs, so I basically replaced everything. Bilstein 4600's, new Toyota OEM coil springs (I didn't want any lift), new top hats & washers, & new bushings from Toytec. I rented a spring compressor from Auto Zone to get the job done. This video from @Timmah! is really helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=80&v=0HJx6HH2yno

 

The 5100s are good shocks, but as long as you don’t intend to lift it at all,the 4600s are essentially identical performance wise.

The above video is great. Get yourself a coilover spring compressor from Auto Zone or whatever (they’re free), and get to it. It’s a little unnerving with all that tension on the springs as you are compressing them, but as long as the tool is straight, and you take your time, you’ll be fine.

Depending on how many miles you have (its 16 years old, so probably a lot), you should consider replacing the springs too, as TeeYoda did. They’re probably worn out and sagging.

When I did my shocks, I didn’t end up having to replace the washers or tophats or anything, but keep in mind it’s likely you will need to replace something in there...

Fun fact, if you could get the 5100s and put them on the middle setting to level it out if the front springs are sagging (and not have to replace the springs). It’s kind of a bandaid fix for sagging springs. Worked for me for like 6 years!

 

Buy Kings
Tools: credit card

 

I think a dual fox setup with resis is the way to go for a daily driver. Way more practical. ;-)

 

lol

 

before you tear her apart examine the upper spring seat where the shock shaft extends through... lots of time the centering washer is either missing from prior replacements and the shock shaft just floats around loose and makes noise. If you have a decent Toyota dealer in the area they just might have all of the replacement parts so that you can do the job once. Mine were so worn that I replace everything from low range off road for about 1/2 the price of factory.

 

Cool thanks for the input guys. This looks like a more extensive job than replacing the rear shocks so I might wind up paying the extra $100-$150 bucks to have my Toyota specialist do the job.

 

The most difficult part is using the spring compressor to swap the coils over to the new shocks. If you were to buy new coils and shocks, many online distributors will assembly them for you for an additional fee (worth it imo).

Besides that, it's pretty similar to the rear labor wise.

 

Yeah, I think Wheeler's charges ~$50 to assemble them. Then it's just a matter of jacking it up and removing 4 bolts per side, and bob's your uncle: done.

The DIY isn't all that bad, I think it took me an hour. There's even a method for doing it without using a spring compressor (using a jack while it's still on the truck).

If your Toyota specialist is charging you $150 (labor) to change the front shocks, he's over charging you.

 

DYI is not that bad at all. But if you're worried than please take it to a reputable shop.

 

Hmm ok might give it a shot then. How can i tell if I need new springs or not?

 

Are you thinking something similar to this?
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/...AaGjS2PJR7ehOQzmrIWnufVLmqQIdBERoCOlcQAvD_BwE

Basically they are selling me the whole setup so all i would have to do is pop in the bolts?

 

Yes.

 

Basically, if you notice the truck is sagging, or riding lower than normal, or if you’ve got moderately high mileage, then you’d do good to replace them. I knew my coils and leafs were worn at 100k, but limped them along with 5100s to level it out.

But... your link... I personally wouldn't buy my shocks from a place that calls the tacoma front suspension “struts”. They aren’t. They are coilovers, even the stock ones. If a supposed “shock warehouse” doesn’t know that tacomas have coilovers, I wouldn’t trust their eye for quality, either.

I’d buy from downsouthmotorsports or wheelers, or one of the other vendors here. They are all knowledgeable and trustworthy, and most of them offer TW member discounts. I got my 5100s, shackles, poly bushings, etc... and then later my Kings and upper A arms from downsouth. Those guys are awesome to deal with. I’ve also gotten stuff from wheelers, too.

I was a bit off on their price to assemble the 5100s, it’s $94. If you’re not sure about DIY, it’s not a bad thing to just have the 3 bolts on top, and the 1 bolt on the bottem to install them. But honestly, it’s pretty easy. Think of all the beer you can drink for $100 worth of install!

 

Make sure and get new coil spring isolators/insulators and new cushions. Theyre almost always shot and the new struts dont come with them. OEM or Energy Suspension FTW.

 

Alright, you seem like the right guy to ask. Since I can't make up my mind between the 5100s or springing for the Kings, is it worth the jump? My 2002 Ext cab stock suspension is garbage - coils are worn and rear leafs are flat, but I'm hesitant to limp along by only replacing the shocks a la your Bilstein trick. I'd prefer to bite the bullet with the King setup just keep from wondering what I'm missing, but if it's overkill for someone who doesn't off-road much (It's not an option, truck is nearly undriveable on the street), then I'd rather put the money elsewhere. Also, what rear leafs do you have?

 

If you don't drive off-road very much (or at least rally the shit out of your truck on-road), Kings would be a total waste of money. Either an OME setup or Bilsteins with stock coils, depending on if you want to lift it or not, would be a better bet.
Why do you say your truck is nearly undriveable?

 

Yep, as drr said, if you don't do a lot of off roadin, don’t waste your cash on Kings. 5100s are perfectly capable off road, and are a big upgrade over stock in that realm.

If your springs are shot, just get some OME coils and leafs, and new shocks, either 5100s or you can usually find a full set of OME springs/shocks for a good deal. For abot the price of Kings (front only), you can get a full front and rear spring/shock setup from OME. I’m actually still running stock leafs with 5100 shocks and 2” shackles. It’s not ideal, but the few times I’ve been offroad with this set up since I put it on, it still drives real nice and I didn’t notice any weird handling issues with the kings up front and the 5100s in the back.