Gabriel struts on the cheap - AWD

I don't really see a "hot deals" section on this forum and dunno if this should be classifieds as I'm not the one selling. This is simply info that might help another member on a budget:

AWD is Amazon Warehouse Deals (sorry, not all wheel drive LOL)

I stumbled upon two Gabriel G57010's in AWD for $27 and $30 respectively.

$128 Gabriel G57010 Ultra ReadyMount fits select Toyota Tacoma 4WD and Toyota Tacoma Pre Runner RWD Models (Front)

https://smile.amazon.com/Gabriel-G5...=sr_1_1?keywords=g57010&qid=1572972807&sr=8-1

I just installed a new set of these on a 2002 Tacoma yesterday. They fit fine and they work (shrug)

If you haven't purchased from AWD before, a little info:
-it's often customer returns or open box items. Note one of the items here says it's missing the hardware but the only thing it COULD be missing is three nuts for the top - already can't recall if they're M8 or M10. You can likely re-use your old ones or source three metric nuts from your favorite fastener house
-the people who "inspect" the AWD stuff are apparently blind. You might get a broom stick or a used strut in the box. HOWEVER, returns are easy and Amazon pays, so you're only out your time. As such, inspect the part carefully when you receive it. If problems, just log on and start the free return process. IIRC Kohl's takes Amazon returns now, too, and boxes it for you.
-it's first come first serve, this is not a SALE price, this is a REDUCED price on one or two items.
-if you do order post up so future people know the deal is dead (see line above)

There are no affiliate links here, I don't make any money and I don't have a dog in the fight. If you're skeptical just go to your amazon or smile.amazon and search for "G57010" then you have to select other sellers/offers

For someone on a budget willing to risk a little of their time you could have two struts for less than the price of one. Good luck!

 

Sweet info. Definitely an option to keep in mind from here out for my and customers parts shopping

 

I also got a Depo left front marker lamp assy (ie next to the headlight) for $2.12 awhile back via Warehouse Deals for this '02 Taco

But mostly it's spotty and hit 'n miss. Generally the odds of finding exactly what you need when you need it are extremely low, so it helps to be a minor hoarder/pack rat LOL

For my '11 SuperDuty I scored a Cardone right rear reman caliper (Cardone provides these complete with caliper bracket and slider pins, oddly enough) for $12.05 when Amazon retail is $141.36 right now.

I've had some duds, too, but I've returned every one with zero problems.

You can also CHAT with Amazon and sometimes explaining "you really probably don't want to pay to ship a radiator back with a cracked PLASTIC neck" will cause them to just refund your account and say KEEP IT.

I scrapped that radiator for a couple bucks LOL

I hope everyone is shopping Amazon through Smile to help their favorite charity, too. It costs nothing and the website is identical but for the URL. If you don't have a favorite charity just pick a cause and choose one - kids, cancer, animals, whatever you feel strongly about

 

In September I paid $68/side for that same strut. If you bought those, you got a heck of a deal my friend. I may buy a set for my other truck as they are original w/160,000 miles on them.

I am going to start checking the AWD stuff. My trucks aren't smart enough to notice the difference between an open or closed box item

 

Yep the ~$68 is what I paid for my clients' truck too. The "used" ones are still there. I guess no one needs struts right now, or everyone here thinks they need Bilstein maybe.

The other thing I failed to mention about AWD is that they only call it "used" because it's basically the only word that's the opposite of "new." Virtually nothing on AWD has truly been used unless their "inspectors" missed the obvious -- which certainly can happen.

In the case of tools lots of people who suck at life buy a tool, use it once and return it. If it looks ok I don't care about a piece of metal with light use on it.

But things like struts aren't -- or should not be-- actually "used." It just means the ENTIRE package has somehow been altered, folded, spindled or mutilated from how it originally left the dock of the manufacturer.

I've received LOTS of things where a box has just been crushed or collapsed but still clearly sealed. Very common on boxes of fasteners; edit and u-joints! Just about EVERY u-joint on the planet has an AWD listing

Other times NOTHING is wrong and those who study up on AWD are convinced (myself included) they use it to just blow out inventory in case of overstocks.

 

Highlighted the best part of your post

 

Check again... they're on the way to my house!

I have two 1995.5 model trucks and one still has original struts.

Thanks again for the tip.

 

@D60

The struts arrived yesterday. One perfect, the other (probably the $27.00 one) had some minor boo boos. Somebody had a bad day.

Anyway, I plan to keep it for that price and I can just swap the cap when I go to use them. Didn't appear a bolt had even been installed into the shock.

 

Nice. That was quick. I wanna know what you think of the ride after you get a few miles on em. Let us know man

 

I may not install these for a while. The ones on my 2.7L truck still seem pretty solid. These are going into inventory.

But, I actually just put a set of these on my 3.4L 4x4 truck about three weeks ago. I've put maybe 50 miles on them. They seem fine for general street driving, but need more miles to give a good opinion. I have 265/70/16 Michelins street tread on that truck right now and they seem to ride fine. No change in ride height. Fit perfectly.

I had tried just replacing my shocks, but the front end still felt strange under under certain road conditions. Especially when going over a slight rise in the road at an offset, say above 35 mph. Front end seemed to sort of float. The truck has 256,000 and I am pretty sure they were the original struts.