Front shock replacement, springs also?

02, 3.4 auto, TRD offroad, extra cab. 200,000.

Replacing front shocks with stock Bilsteins. Rears also.

Question is, should I replace front springs also? Rear springs are new-ish, replaced with frame.

The RF shock is a non bilstein aftermarket replacement, and, I guess, the spring may be also.

If I should replace them, guessing yes, what are good alternatives to EOM, for no lift?

 

Yes, replace the springs with the shocks.

May as well get new top hats just to be safe.

 

I would go ahead and replace the springs as well. And for the price I would look in to bilstein 5100’s. If you want a good setup I would do bilstein 5100’s and 880’s for little to no lift or 881’s if you are looking for a lift.

 

I already got the OEM Bilstein's from Toyota, last year. The tops I got from Rock Auto, KYB. The stock springs are about $180 each. Ouch.

 

Get ome 880’s. They are about 165$ a set

 

Being a cheap so and so, I am looking at Moog springs via Rock Auto. They list different springs for different options, and them as sold in pairs as one part number. I got a set, they look identical.

Toyota has a different p/n for left and right. Should there be a visible difference? Does it matter any?

 

I recently purchased Bilstein 5100's with OME 880s from Wheelers. Wheelers put everything together so it's a slam dunk installation.

There is a 1/4 inch spacer that I purchased for the driver side to compensate for the "Taco Tilt". I have no idea what springs I'm replacing, but I could definitely see the driver side had slumped a bit compared to the passenger. I'm looking forward to the installation.

 

I won't do any wheeling and do not want any lift at all. And, being cheap, figured these would work fine. Not familiar with the "tilt", seems pretty level to me. Right now anyway.

Looks like nice weather for the weekend, so, we shall see.

 

Should be fine.

 

Problem resolved, or anxiety relieved at least.

The springs may look identical, but one of them has a tag on it. When I looked at it earlier I only saw the Spanish text. When I looked more closely, the hidden part says "Driver side only".

And, AND . . . when I measure them the driver side one is about 1/2 inch longer than the other. Wonder where I got that idea from? What a wonder this forum is. No pun intended.

I guess that learns me!

 

That's good news for sure.

 

I have a set of moog springs in my shop I will sell you. I ran then maybe a year on my old DC 4wd. I will tell you though that you will
Probably need a drivers side spacer to account for the lean.

 

For those that are purchasing the shocks separate from the springs how are you loading or attaching the two? Are you using a coil clamping device to insert the shock or can you take it somewhere and have it installed for you. I did see some at the parts store that were "ready mount" i.e., shock and coil already assembled for around $65 a piece. Just curious about the advantages or disadvantages. Thanks.

 

For me, I use a spring compressor and assemble as required. Turns out the one I have will not work, even though I use if for struts. The "fingers" are just too large for the tightly wound coils. I will "rent" one from Autozone in a few days.

As for those ready mounts, seems pretty cheap. Sometimes you get what you pay for. If you are OK with not getting back to "factory performance" or better, then I guess the cheaper ready mounts may do. Probably won't last very long.

 

you don't need to replace the springs, I had 260,000 miles on my oem springs I just did the struts and new KYB cushions, don't waste the money on new springs

 

Just because they weren't broken or any of the sort, doesn't mean the springs weren't worn and in need of replacing.

Springs don't dampen, they provide lift to our vehicles. Worn suspension would cause your vehicle to droop, making your shocks work harder to support your vehicle.

Some of us like taking care of our vehicles.

 

at 200k miles its not worth investing in new springs when the originals will work just fine, 1st gen trucks come from the factory with a little rake anyways, my truck 2004 TRD with the stock progressive springs had 260k miles the springs were fine even at that mileage it saved me a lot of money not to replace parts that didn't need replacement but if you have money to burn then replace them if it makes u feel better

 

Hey, thanks for the info.

 

Well, job complete. The AutoZone compressor did not work for me. The coils are too tightly wound for the "fingers" to fit through. I don't know how anyone could get those to work, as is.

I resorted to my HF "single action" compressor after taking some time to grind down the "fingers" so they would fit through the coils. A frustrating task. Even so, it was not easy as that type of tool is very particular and needs to be "finessed" onto the coil.

So, I used the OEM Bilsteins shocks, MOOG springs and KYB top plates. Turns out the KYB comes with the cushion and "middle" retainer already installed. Had I noticed that, I could not ordered the retainer that goes just under the top plate. Anyone needs them, let me know. I think they cost me just under $7 each. The cushion (rubber biscuit) too, as those came with the shocks, so I have an extra.

All in all I am very satisfied with how the truck handles now. I guess I did not realize how bad it was, but if feel pretty confident now.