Front quick strut defect?

Apparently General Spring does have some coils, just not for the Tacoma. I think the main issue people are having is an incorrect spring for the application. For aftermarket, the best info out there is on the OME springs, which do say they would lift the front between 1"-2". Everything else you can find is all over the place, and getting the exact specs on the Quick Struts springs seems to be difficult.

So, I checked out the Moog site, as the ones listed in a previous post got me thinking (but nobody has the the PN listed above in stock). They have no less than NINE different part numbers listed for a 2001 Tacoma. Now, some of them are going to be for the 5-lug, so I didn't go in to those details, but that leaves 7 for the 6 lugs. I tabulated the info below. Assuming that a Pre Runner is a 2WD 6-lug here. Note that some part numbers have the same spec (81100 = 81102, 81078 = 81082).

Basically, if you have a 4WD non-TRD, you need the 465 lbs/in 14.69" springs. The Regular Cab 4WD with the 2.7L appears to be able to use it in a 14.36" length, but it is listed twice.

If you have a 4WD TRD, they list a 595 lbs/in spring at a 13.7" length, but that seems weird. Although, assuming a similar installed length, that would have less preload and still give a bit of lift over the non-TRD, just seems like it might ride rough.

 

Thank you! Interesting, because when I put my truck in I got 81101, 81102 & 81104.
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As I said earlier, don't bother measuring them. Obviously check the part numbers and make sure they're the correct ones. I can tell you the measurements are likely to be different between different brands or models. That doesn't mean something is defective or isn't compatible with your truck. As I expressed in my previous discussion on "equivalence" they're most likely not *exactly* the same. Especially the rear shocks. That are *going* to be different, probably be a few inches, because the 5100s are for a lifted application.

The Moog coils are a good replacement too, if you can get them. But they aren't going to be much, if any better than the coils that are on your quickstruts. They're probably made in the same factory, lol...

If you like the option of a lift, then the 5100s are for you. At least for the front, you can leave them at stock height just fine. The rear 5100s, however, cannot. They are longer and you need at least an inch of lift for them to fit (although there is some debate on this depending on the exact part number, I believe some newer 5100 models might be able to be used at stock height - search for that discussion though, don't quote me on that).

The 5100s are nice because you can make some gross adjustments in the height to suit your needs/wants.

But as many of us have said several times, if you want to have full control over the ride height and ride quality of the truck to ensure you get *exactly* what you want and/or expect, you're going to have to spend $1000+ on front coilovers, plus another $500-$1000 on the rear shocks.

 

Just for grins, does someone have a quick strut and/or another "stock" assembled coilover sitting around where they could measure the installed length of the spring?

 

This is the other problem with the Moog or other lower end coils out there. They don't actually properly account for the weight of the vehicle (even OME doesn't *really* do that). Many of them just pick one and say it works for all models (technically they do). According to your table they have, for example, ONE spring P/N for the V6 xtracab, and v6 doublecab (it's not a crew cab!). Those trucks weigh significantly different.


As far as running rough, I have 600# springs on my Kings. It's butter smooth (for a pickup truck, lol). Spring rate isn't the only factor in the ride. Spring rate mostly sets the ride height. I also have a bumper and winch, but I should technically be riding on 650-700's.

 

A lot of those differences are likely because of the manufacturing process from Moog, and cost saving measures.

From the factory, Toyota contracts with a specific company to make a very specific product, like the coil springs.

Then, an aftermarket manufacturer (Moog) comes along and wants in on that business. Maybe they already have a production line making 10's of thousands of springs that pretty much fit the bill but maybe the coil spacing is different, but at least the overall spring rate is similar as long as they cut it a certain length. So they cut them to length and package them up. Boom, "equivalent" springs because they fit and do the job, but clearly aren't exactly the same.

This, I would imagine is pretty common with the lower end aftermarket manufacturers. That's a good way to keep costs down: rather than completely re-tool your production line, you find something already in the works that's "close enough" and make it work.

 

I have 4 quick struts. 2 on & two off. Although the tires aren’t back on the truck yet. Where exactly should I measure from? Right under the top bushing (correct term?) to the lowest part where it sits in the insulator?

 

Ok. So when you put “sitting around”, I thought you meant off the truck. Then I saw “installed” length.
Off the truck is 12 7/16 & the other is 12 5/8. Mind you those have been on the truck. I would put the tired on now, but as much as I don’t want to, I have to be a good doobie & clean up the brakes. That’ll be a tomorrow morning job.

 

Awesome! So that looks like a 14.25" spring or thereabouts. Assembled gives it about 1.25" of preload or so. Those are Bilsteins, so that would be for a TRD. Still don't know the spring rate on those, though.

Still a bit baffled, but I think the OME 2880s on 5100s at the lowest setting is the best starting point for a reasonable cost. Spring rates of 465 and 500 aren't that much different, and they are 14.37" long.

The 5100's are not necessarily for lifted applications, although they give you the option in the front. It's the coils and the spring perch placement that might give you a lift. I've had them on 2 different 2nd gen Tacomas and still have them on an '06 4Runner, none of them were lifted. I think the 5150 or something is for extended travel/lifted application in the rear, but not positive.

 

This is who makes Moog springs

https://www.mwcomponents.com/locations/pontotoc?referrer=mwcorporate

 

I am glad you put the 4x4 info. I was going to ask you.

 

The site has the 81102 as for "manual transmission, transmission trans". The 81101 is for "AT, Transmission Trans". The dif between them is the springs for the 02's have an inch difference, 11/12. Taco Lean. When I pointed out to the rep that AT's have this as well, he said he didn't know why they were marketed that way.

 

Yeah, I tried to order a truck with a Transmission Trans, but they were all out.

The springs themselves don't have an inch difference, they are just saying that the installed length is different side to side. But they have it wrong if it is for the taco lean, you'd need more preload on the driver side, and an inch would be way too much. Anyway, you'd have to have different shocks for each side to get different preload, or install a spacer between the spring and top plate.

 

Soooo.... Whilst I realize the "discussion" has run its course & then some, personally I get frustrated when I find a thread that pertains to what I am working on &

With the aid of my handy measuring tape & another member, we figured out I had been driving with no preload. 0, zilch, nada. So it was a good thing I did not continue to drive with those installed.

The advice I did take was to get some 5100's & 880's. I called Wheelers & got a preassembled set for 407.00. I just got back on the road yesterday since other things needed to be taken care of, possibly collateral damage from the crappy coilovers.

Anyway, wicked happy with the new ones. I may have to raise the butt end a bit, however that's for another day....

Again. I am thankful for the helpful advice, as well as to those who took the time to explain....

Before



After

 

Good to hear everything worked out

 

Did you return the quickstruts?

 

Yes. Well, one set. I bought them off Amazon & it was a bit of a mess getting it squared away. At least I think it is. At least according to the 7th customer service person I spoke to today, I am all set. Although the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc said the same. We'll see if the system tries to charge me again for the unreturned ones. Even though I really just want to send the 2nd set back & be done with it, she couldn't figure out a way to do it. I at least was smart enough to get her to post a message stating that I was not to return them. Never buying anything through them with a lifetime warranty again.

 

Throwing an update in here since another member im'ed me asking how the coilovers (5100's & 880's) are working out. Haven't looked back . I also swapped out the crappy rear monroes for KYB gas adjusts & that smoothed everything out....

 

Looking killer there!

 

Thanks! The red was a 50 footer. The black is about a 20....