Rebuild Front End Suspension

I have a 2004 3.4L Prerunner RWD DoubleCab
It has 240k miles (I've put the last 120k on it). I haven't touched the suspension at all and I have had the truck for 9 years.

Money is the biggest factor for me, and I'm going to be doing this job on my own.

At first I was looking at this kit from Detroit Axel:
https://www.detroitaxle.com/part/20...per-lower-ball-joints-suspension-kit/10-2498/

It looks like most of the parts were exact fits but I called and they said the tie rods and struts were not going to fit.

I'm also looking at this kit from carparts.com:
https://www.carparts.com/details/To.../Pre_Runner/6_Cyl_3-dot-4L/KIT-031117-18.html

But I can't tell there either if the struts are an exact fit. The part numbers I'm seeing on Toyota's site don't seem to match.

Moog has a kit:
https://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/moog-packagedeal042

But it's twice as much and doesn't come with struts at all, so I'm looking at a much higher cost there.

I'm hoping you guys can give me some ideas.

 

The ball joints are a big safety factor.

Don't cheap out.

 

^^^

Dont buy chinesium parts. They often are junk right out of the box. You'll regret it and most likely be chasing a mystery clunk or other issues from the start. There is a reason you have 240k on good o.e.m. parts. Moog is generally known for higher quality. Monroe is American made and also a known good source. Build your parts stash over time After 9 years sounds like you will be keeping the truck another 120k. The early 2000's gen2 will be the trucks best built/lasting IMO. It's worth doing right.

 

I made a mistake few years ago of installing Detroit Axle parts on another old Toyota. Had to replace most of them in few months due to almost instant rust and disintegrated rubber parts. Never again.

 

Wow, $213 for front coil overs, tie rod ends and LBJs -- amazing! But 10-year warranty is amazing, just be sure the warranty includes collateral damage! All kidding aside, if they broke chronically they'd be out of business so probably fine for a while. There was a recent post on a failed cheap LBJ after 2 months or something like this.

Agree with above on LBJs. The first kit you've referenced doesn't include bolts so do the research there and don't reuse what's on it.

The carparts kit has the bolts, but again, read previous posts. Amazing price -- That's what I paid for just a pair of genuine LBJs.

FWIW, I got monroes for my farm truck. $300 for fronts and backs. I've been happy with them for 3 years. I got Billsteins front and rear from suspention lifts .com for my daily driver for 2.5x the money...

Main question for you to consider, how long do you want to keep the truck, and what's your tolerance for failed parts. Cheaper parts may be fine for a while, or they may not. If money is the biggest factor and replacement of these parts is critical ASAP, then proceed. Alternatively, use the current budget for new genuine LBJs, then next time hit coil overs, etc.

Good luck --

 

I rather go with KYB over Monroe. My experience with Monroe is horrible and they leak after a year. Yes, if you buy them from a local major auto part chain, they’re lifetime warranty (same for KYB) but do you really want to change them every other year or so. Keep Bilstein 4600 in mind too.

LBJ choice will be Toyota and I would go with 555 brand parts vs other brand if factory isn’t the first option.

 

Autozone type stores give life time warrenties. Some will say they would be out of business if they sold junk, I too used to think that. It has become more clear they count on you giving up on replacing the part after 2 or 3 times. Over the years the parts have even come closer or even exceeded dealership in cost while quality has constantly dropped.

Save a dollar or two, spend hours of your time on re replacing junk part, often times later having to buy the better part anyway. Work smart not hard

 

This is the set you want, they are called coilovers, not struts. :-D I'm running them, closest to stock you'll get as stock configs aren't sold any more. No fiddling about with spring compressors, do I have all the right parts, they are pre-assembled. Be sure to select 2WD/etc. before buying and give them a call, they are very responsive.

I know money is a factor but seriously, as mentioned above YGWYPF and have to redo jobs much sooner than you'd think. For ball joints, bushings or the rack go OEM, Ourisman Toyota (formerly McGeorge) was the best prices I found.

Parts list attached that will mostly fit your truck (mine is ext cab 4WD, but will give you a price comparison.)

My front end refresh