1st Gen Suspension shocks etc

Hello, I'm new to TW and it's been a blast reading through a ton of great resources on here. I have a 2004 that I've had for while that has factory suspension (shocks) that needs replaced. A local shop quoted a pretty high price so I'm thinking about tackling this myself. I'm new to working on the truck, as it's really not needed much other than routine maintenance, but I think it would be fun to learn more about my truck while saving some money. After reading through a ton of posts I'm thinking I'll go with Bilstein 4600 (all around) and keep the factory coils as they seem to be in pretty good shape. My plan is to take coils to a local shop and have them build coils and new shocks. Once that's done, I may add-a-leaf if it seems to need it, as I do have a ARE canopy I'll put back on for the winter. Does that seem like a reasonable plan if I'm looking to upgrade suspension without adding a lift? The truck does have some rust underneath and so I'd like to replace nuts and bolts as I do this. How can I find OEM part #s for those?

Here's the 4600s I'm planning to get:

$400 Bilstein 4600 Series Front Struts and Rear Shocks Package - SHOCKINGBIL4600WFRTSTRUT

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/bilst...00wfrtstrut/_/R-BBGL-SHOCKINGBIL4600WFRTSTRUT

 

exactly which nuts and bolts do you need. I just installed 4600's on all four corners myself. No need to have the shock "built" by a shop. I can give you really easy instructions on how to do this. Are you replacing the yop hats on the front.Those are the round parts the top of the shocks bolt on to.you'll also need to order a set of new shock bushings. Let me know if there's anything I can do, to help you out.

 

That would be awesome, thanks. Yeah I should replace those, they're pretty rusted on top. Where can I get top-hats and bushings from?

 

I’m going to need to do shocks coils and leafs here soon. I’ll be watching this. I already have a level kit so I want to make sure I get the right shtuff.

 

I'll get back with you on a list of parts I ordered. Top hats can be ordered from any pats store. it would be best to have all the
parts in hand before getting started. I have an 03 DC so there's no difference in parts. Take a look at the front and rear bolts for the shocks, if their rusty you night as well replace them too.

 

Wow, my cv axle is at a significantly steeper angle. I need to do boot mod

 

your going to need a can of PB blaster to spray on all the bolts and nuts. spray them all down good for 2 or 3 days before you start this job. Do you have a breaker bar and a good torque wrench. A good metric socket set in 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive are a good starting place. I use craftsman,but harbor freight has some good deals with lifetime warranty.They also have some decent 3 or 6 ton jack stands. hopefully you already own most of these tools. If you don't, just remember that if tour going to start wrenching on your truck,then look at this as an investment for future work on the truck.

 

I'm working on picking up some tools (like a breaker bar and good socket set) happy to invest in some tools as I want to do more of the work on it. Thanks for the rec on PB Blaster and great idea to spray that on a couple days early. Back shock bolts look better than I thought they might.

 

I used the

$38 KYB SM5184 - Strut mount

KYB SM5184, which run about $25-35 per side online. I picked mine up on Amazon, but you can buy them at most of the online parts stores.

Those top hat fasteners might give you a fight. In addition to the penetrating oil that's already been mentioned. I'd make sure you have 6 point impact sockets and a big breaker bar. If you round them off like I did, you'll be cutting them off. Heat, oil, and leverage are your friends.

 

Sounds good! thanks for the link and also the socket and breaker bar recommendation.

 

I want you too watch this video, this link is for part 2, at the end when it stops it should show you an option for watching part 1. Some will say it's extra work removing the 4 lower ball joint bolts, which will release lower control arm from the spindle, but believe me it's so easy this way.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=changing+...i=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6u7dC7EHg

here's a link for the strut mount(top hat)

https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2004/toyota/tacoma/suspension/strut_mount.html

here's a link fop the rubber bushings and washers for the front shocks(you won't use them all) Your front lower shock bolt and nut look good, but here's a link for them check your rear upper and lower mounting bolts and nuts. The rear upper is a nut that goes on a fixed position stud. I'll look for some more info.

 

Hey Austin, here's a simplified list of how to do the front shocks, for after you watch the video's. you'll want too spray those top hat nuts for at least 3 days in a row. it really will help too remove them. The reason I'm telling you too do the shocks this way,is because my neighbor(really good dude) came over abd insisted his way using a spring compressor was better. when it came time to install the lower shock bolt,we went through hell, the drivers side lower shock bolt now needs replacing. if you follow the video,that lower shock bolt will go in easy as pie.

just did mine.follow these instructions that bolt hole will line up easy as pie

Well I finished installing the front shocks this morning. I followed the video of not using a spring compressor. Fucking simple and easy as shit. I did one side at a time. Spray everything with Break Free, shit's a life saver.

1. Jack up and secure vehicle.
2. remove 4 lower ball joint studs from spindle
3. mark all cam bolts
4. use a small floor jack under the control arm by ball joint, and jack up the truck to compress the coil spring.
5. remove sway bar end link from lower control arm, at some point while jacking up the truck(step4)
6. If you can remove it, the upper shock bolt, It's a PITA, keeps wanting to turn. when it reached the point I couldn't grab the top, I used a pry bar to keep it from turning.
7. The Lower control arm should fall free as you lower the jack, removing all pressure from the coil spring.
8. remove the lower shock bolt, and remove shock.
9. If replacing remove the Top hat,
10. Install you new shock and springs in the reverse order.

 

Ahh, this is great thanks for sharing! Back shock bolts and nuts look pretty good as well as the lower front. But good to have that part # just in case.

 

Was it pretty easy to get the alignment cams back where they're supposed to be?

 

mine really didn't move at all, you just want too loosen them up just a bit, so the lower control arm swings free. But I can't imagine them being hard to realign.That's why you mark them. I used a silver sharpie.

 

also, where do you find torque settings for bolts when putting everything back together?

 

right here

t seems this gets asked a lot. I pulled the torque specs below from my 2000 Toyota FSM. This is for Front & Rear Suspension with some 2WD specs as applicable.



Front Suspension Torque Settings

ABS Speed sensor & Wire Harness................................................. 71 in lbs

Stabilizer Bar Side (2WD)...............................................................22 ft lb

stabilizer bar lower arm (Hex end to hold it) (both ends of 4WD)....66 ft lbs

Stabilizer Bar Bracket (4WD).........................................................19 ft lbs

Upper Ball Joint.............................................................................80 ft lbs

Upper Control Arm........................................................................87 ft lbs

Front/Rear Alignment Shims (2WD)...............................................94 ft lbs

2WD Upper Ball Joint Mount (4 bolts)........................................29 ft lbs

Lower Ball Joint Castle Nut.............................................................103 ft lbs

Lower Ball Joint Mount (4 bolts).....................................................59 ft lbs

LCA Cam Bolts..............................................................................96 ft lbs

LCA Spring Bumpers......................................................................17 ft lbs

Outer Tie Rod End (Castle Nut)......................................................67 ft lbs

Strut (Bottom mount)..................................................................101 ft lbs

Strup Top Hat...............................................................................47 ft lbs



Rear Suspension

Rear Leaf Front Mount..................................................................116 FT LBS

Rear Leaf Shackle Bolts (x2).........................................................67 ft lbs

Shock Absorber (2WD except Pre Runner).................................19 ft lbs

Shock (4wd & Pre Runner)........................................................53 ft lbs

U-Bolts........................................................................................90 ft lbs

 

this is great, thanks