1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Need Help Replacing Shocks and Leaf Springs

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by zcarpman, Aug 30, 2016.

  1. Aug 30, 2016 at 9:00 PM
    #1
    zcarpman

    zcarpman [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2012
    Member:
    #92147
    Messages:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    I would like to replace all aspects of my current suspension while keeping the truck stock height wise. I'm not sure if this means getting OE parts from the dealer or what but I would love if someone could help me track down some links to both replacement front and rear shocks and new leaf springs for the rear for my 2001 4 wd tacoma 4 cyl.

    I just bought the truck and the ride is very rough. I want to replace everything and start fresh since I think everything is stock from 2001 and 140k miles.

    Can anyone give me some links/ advice? Thanks.
     
  2. Aug 30, 2016 at 9:14 PM
    #2
    Catcrazed

    Catcrazed Love is Dogs and Toyotas

    Joined:
    May 12, 2011
    Member:
    #56529
    Messages:
    1,969
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bryan
    Central Oregon
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen Flatbed 3.4
    91 Flatbed, 4.88's, ARBs, SAS, 3.4 Swap, 35s, M8000, lots lights, Aux tank, Protech
    Google wheelers off road and give them a call.
    They are also a vendor on here.
    They are a good company and offer some good upgrades even at stock height.
     
  3. Aug 31, 2016 at 6:03 AM
    #3
    ghs57

    ghs57 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2010
    Member:
    #40832
    Messages:
    1,091
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chops
    Catskill Mts. NY
    Vehicle:
    '07 Black TRD OR xtracab 4.0L 4WD
    Pretty much stock right now
    I did something very similar. Dan at Wheelers set me up with 5 leaf springs, greasable shackles and eye bolts, rear shocks, shocks and coils in the front (880s), new rack bushings, brake line and proportioning valve extensions. It gained about an inch of height, but was worth it. Rides great. Installed on an '01, then moved to my '03.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2016
  4. Aug 31, 2016 at 7:15 AM
    #4
    zcarpman

    zcarpman [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2012
    Member:
    #92147
    Messages:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    I wouldn't mind 1 inch lift, do you remember how much all of that cost you?
     
  5. Aug 31, 2016 at 7:31 AM
    #5
    ghs57

    ghs57 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2010
    Member:
    #40832
    Messages:
    1,091
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chops
    Catskill Mts. NY
    Vehicle:
    '07 Black TRD OR xtracab 4.0L 4WD
    Pretty much stock right now
    About $1,100. It does add up. Also the shipping to NY added a significant amount.
     
  6. Aug 31, 2016 at 7:34 AM
    #6
    WinSlow939

    WinSlow939 Road Salt Life

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #193357
    Messages:
    660
    First Name:
    Nate
    The Rock, Mass
    Vehicle:
    2002 with some '99 thrown in for fun
    All the Money I Have
    Thats also the components and vendor I went with, good choice to consider. you'll def be looking at over a grand for complete suspension overhaul. Don't forget new u-bolts, urethane bushings for everything that doesn't already include them, and possibly new main eye bolts and shackles, depending on if they come out easy or not. I have a ton of corrosion where I live so went ahead and replaced everything. wheelers can also assemble the front struts for you so they come ready to bolt up, nice feature for not too bad of price
     
  7. Aug 31, 2016 at 7:37 AM
    #7
    WinSlow939

    WinSlow939 Road Salt Life

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #193357
    Messages:
    660
    First Name:
    Nate
    The Rock, Mass
    Vehicle:
    2002 with some '99 thrown in for fun
    All the Money I Have
    yeah I'm in MA and shipping was $160 in '12 when I ordered everything, I don't think I had front shocks and coils in that order though.
     
  8. Aug 31, 2016 at 7:47 AM
    #8
    wilcam47

    wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2016
    Member:
    #176243
    Messages:
    49,939
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Bourbon state
    are you sure the suspension stuff needs replaced? Is it riding rough because its not broke in or is the stuff worn out?
     
  9. Aug 31, 2016 at 9:58 AM
    #9
    ghs57

    ghs57 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2010
    Member:
    #40832
    Messages:
    1,091
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chops
    Catskill Mts. NY
    Vehicle:
    '07 Black TRD OR xtracab 4.0L 4WD
    Pretty much stock right now
    Yes I forgot to mention the shackle bushings, and some of the smaller parts. I do have my invoices still. I know I had to go back and order the brake line and proportioning valve extensions. You really need them. You could also make your own prop valve extension. There is not much to it.

    When I did mine, my '01 had 225,000 miles. I have not owned a new Tacoma, so don't know how they are supposed to ride. This one needed shocks, and had broken leafs. When I bought my '03, I swapped coils/shocks/springs with the with the '01, and replaced the more minor components (bushings/shackles/bolts).

    Depending upon where you are located, the worst part of the job is removing the stock eye bolts on the front of the leafs. On both trucks the bolts/bushings had to be cut off. I used a sawsall, but you can use your weapon of choice.
     
  10. Aug 31, 2016 at 10:33 AM
    #10
    zcarpman

    zcarpman [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2012
    Member:
    #92147
    Messages:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    Winslow939 I'm in Mass as well with a bit of corrosion going on. I'll probably need the whole 9 yards.... can I ask if you did the work yourself? I have some experience but def am not the best wrencher, how much of a lift would this be for a novice?
     
  11. Aug 31, 2016 at 10:45 AM
    #11
    WinSlow939

    WinSlow939 Road Salt Life

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #193357
    Messages:
    660
    First Name:
    Nate
    The Rock, Mass
    Vehicle:
    2002 with some '99 thrown in for fun
    All the Money I Have
    I did all the work myself, in the dirt, with barely any wrenching experience to speak of at the time. It took patience and checking through every write up on this forum, but you can do it. Your already a member, I wasn't at the time so didn't have the ability to ask questions when I got stuck. A lot of knowledgable people on here very willing to help makes the job easier :thumbsup:

    This was my truck back in 2012 with OME 881's with nitrochargers all around, new greaseable shackles, Wheelers 5 leaf pack, extended stainless brake lines front and rear. It's a really good initial lift... until you catch the mod bug....which you will:devil:

    IMG_0217.jpg IMG_0216.jpg
     
  12. Aug 31, 2016 at 10:52 AM
    #12
    OneWheelPeel

    OneWheelPeel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2016
    Member:
    #187371
    Messages:
    2,302
    Phoenix, AZ
    I need to replace all my rear leaf springs as well as they sag pretty bad in the back when I have my motorcycle in it. I'm not looking for any kind of lift or go crazy and I definately dont want lift blocks as my axle wrap is pretty bad as it stands already. Has anybody tried these Dorman factory replacement springs? They look better then the factory ones and pretty cheap/ innexpensive compared to the dakars and what not.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SJJRMC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SJJRG8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8
     
  13. Aug 31, 2016 at 11:08 AM
    #13
    WinSlow939

    WinSlow939 Road Salt Life

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #193357
    Messages:
    660
    First Name:
    Nate
    The Rock, Mass
    Vehicle:
    2002 with some '99 thrown in for fun
    All the Money I Have
    You probably figured I was going to say this but.....please don't buy those :pray: I usually love OEM parts but even Toyota couldn't get their leaf packs right, so I def wouldn't trust a Dorman knockoff... But, I realize not everyone can go nuts with upgraded suspension stuff. You could try extended bumpstop like the Wheelers Superbumps ( cheaper) or Timbrens ( expensive) to help with weight without going crazy with leaf spring shopping, they'll help with the hauling the mo mo for sure
     
  14. Aug 31, 2016 at 4:28 PM
    #14
    ajm

    ajm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2015
    Member:
    #160179
    Messages:
    973
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    AZ
    Vehicle:
    1996 4x4
    I bought and installed those exact leaf springs. Do not waste your time and money, learn from my mistake! They are junk and will be flat to inverted the minute you set your truck down.

    Those General heavy duty are not much more expensive.
     
  15. Aug 31, 2016 at 5:56 PM
    #15
    WinSlow939

    WinSlow939 Road Salt Life

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #193357
    Messages:
    660
    First Name:
    Nate
    The Rock, Mass
    Vehicle:
    2002 with some '99 thrown in for fun
    All the Money I Have
    Honestly thank you for confirming that, I hate sounding like a broken record without some sort of backup. Glad to realize my hunch was right :D

    What leaf packs did you eventually switch up to after the Dorman's?
     
    ajm[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Aug 31, 2016 at 7:05 PM
    #16
    ajm

    ajm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2015
    Member:
    #160179
    Messages:
    973
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    AZ
    Vehicle:
    1996 4x4
    Still got em:anonymous:


    I had to put leaf helpers on to make them livable. Not a very good ride...
    EDIT:
    I don't have much technical knowledge to offer on this forum, but I like to steer folks away from those leafs, I got them before my TW days.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2016
    WinSlow939 likes this.
  17. Aug 31, 2016 at 7:32 PM
    #17
    WinSlow939

    WinSlow939 Road Salt Life

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #193357
    Messages:
    660
    First Name:
    Nate
    The Rock, Mass
    Vehicle:
    2002 with some '99 thrown in for fun
    All the Money I Have
    Ah man you poor bastard ;)

    I don't even know what leaf spring helpers are :notsure: shows how much technical knowledge I have!

    I did a lot of bad things to my truck before my TW days :anonymous: :spy:
     
    ajm[QUOTED] likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top