New shocks and struts

I took my 01' TRD 4x4 over to Les Schwab yesterday to have them swap on my dedicated M&S studded snow tires for the winter. They said my stock shocks and struts are in need of replacement. They are original to the truck with 130k miles. They gave me a quote for $707.53 for all the work, including alignment and lifetime guarantee on the parts- Mono Max 564001 struts and 565052 Mono Max shocks. I believe these are KYB parts. I am certain new shocks and struts from Toyota would be most costly. I am more concerned with the quality of the components- stock vs. aftermarket.

My question is: are these units comparable in quality to the original TRD components? Thanks in advance.

 

130k miles = worn-out shocks (I replaced mine at 40K and 90K miles). You should notice a lessening of bouncing.

I don't know about quality because I stopped using aftermarket parts over 20 years ago. "Quality" is a very subjective topic and is something I don't like to talk about (like politics, religion, and the past).

I bought (and you can too) original Bilstein 4600 Series front and rear shocks with new bushings for about $450 total shipped from an online Toyota parts dealer. A spring compressor (and you will need one for the front shocks) can be bought from Oreilly or Autozone for about $50. If you want to retain a nice, new, stock ride, I would suggest you use only Genuine Toyota Parts and stay away from aftermarket shocks. I've used them over the last 45 years with less-than-expected success on my cars, and also on a 1987 Toyota SR5.

If you're mechanically inclined, I would think about replacing the steering rack mounting bushings. If you replace them, you should notice a lessening in steering looseness. I would suggest using Genuine Toyota rubber bushings, not the poly bushings. I found that poly bushings gave me too harsh a ride and their stiffness can gave me other problems in my front end components.

Good luck!

 

KYB has a good reputation and makes high quality shocks. I have heard that the Monomax line can ride a bit firmer/stiffer than some others. You will find that many people will recommend Bilstein 4600 or 5100's on this site, and that is what i run on my vehicles. I think any quality shock will ride much better than the worn out originals.

To your question "are these units comparable in quality to the original TRD components". Its KYB's monotube line and for trucks, so its KYB's comparable to your original OEM Bilstein "TRD" shocks

 

Thanks for the input! I am capable of doing the work, I just don't have the time. I am in the middle of building a shop in Rexburg, ID and it needs to be done by Thanksgiving (i.e. 2 weeks ago). The truck will have to be dropped off and work performed by someone else.

 

IMHO, if you want someone other than yourself to work on your truck, and you want the job done right the first time without a lot of back-and-forth and hemming-and-hawing, then find an independent, reliable shop that specializes in the type of work you want done and that employs a competent technician who has at least 5 years experience in doing that work rather than go to some off-the-wall franchise whose technicians are fresh out of school, are still wet behind the ears, who have limited (if any) experience on your kind of truck, and who know everything...

 

Price isn't bad (probably going to put on shocks that cost $30 each) I guess. I'd buy some shocks online myself and have a good local non chain mechanic install them. Unless they are all leaking and your truck is bouncing off the road, you can probably hold off for a little while. Thats my $0.02

Mileage really has little to do with shocks. I removed my original TRD thin body bilisteins at 200K and the fronts were still fine.

@Kansas TRD Taco is right, KYB is good top teir stuff. The Toyota thin body yellow bilistiens arent anything special and are expensive. 4600 or 5100 Bilisteins are better.

He's not complaining of bouncing, hes changing them because the mechanic says they are leaking. Did they need replacement at 40k?

Technically the factory Bilisteins are aftermarket parts by your interpretation. They're not very good if youre replacing them every 40k..... lol

I dont think "Quality" is subjective, Value is. I think replacing any shock every 40K is a horrendous value.

The factory thin body yellow bilisteins are not 4600's. They are different.

Wrong. You can use a floor jack.

Loan a tool from either of these places for free.

Again, the TRD's used bilistein shocks. Not Toyota branded shocks. You seem to be confused.

OP dont use the thin body TRD shocks.

Thats not what he's talking about here.

I would not suggest this. As would most members on this site.

Rack Bushings = Rough Ride?

Oh please do explain.

Good luck.....

This. Not Les Schawb.

Make sure @Greeny you check their resumes, references and conduct interviews. If somebody has only 4.5 years of experience, cut them off. @skeezix demands 5 or more.

You dont know that. Les Schwab is probably good for tires like the OP originally went in for. They're just trying to upsell him on some shocks which is what a ton of shops (Chains or not) do to make money.

5 or more years of experience baby.