Fronst Strut Coil Diameter

Looking at replacing the front struts on my 2004 Tacoma, 4WD, V6 access cab. The frame and rear suspension was replaced last week. The truck rides much better but now with new rear springs and shocks the front end is low and she bathtubs a little. So, I am thinking the factory original front coils are a little tired as compared to the brand new rear springs and shocks. The factory original front struts are still in place and I measured the wire diameter of the coil spring at .670". The recommended Gabriel replacements have a coil wire diameter of .612, which is 1/16 of an inch smaller than the original factory coils.

I am not sure these Gabriel's will hold up with their lighter weight coils. Thee Gabriel's do have the same number of turns as the factory originals. Has anyone else encountered this in aftermarket replacement struts and do these springs hold up? Are Toyota factory coils the same as the 2004 factory originals? The parts guy at my local Toyota dealer did not know what the coil wire diameter is.

Any help will be,and always is, truly appreciated. I am hoping to avoid going through the effort to replace the front struts only to discover today's front coils are not as good as the old 2004 units were.

 

Go with Old Man Emu springs. Are you looking to retain factory height?

 

Thank you for the reply and it's yes on factory height. I am trying to get back to original factory height and ride as the truck is never used off road. I emailed Old Man Emu to see if they can do 2004 coils as their web site only lists 2005 forward. Are Monroe Moog coils the same as Gabriels with their smaller diameter?

Maybe just new shocks would help. Any thoughts on those?

 

I'd just call Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road and see what she recommends for an OE grade refresh.

You could also look over Rock Auto and see what you can find there.

 

Hi Clearwater Bill,

Thank you for the references. I emailed Headstrong Off-Road and will try to call later. I will call Rock Auto too. The truck does ride very nice at the moment and maybe it just needs new shocks to improve the handling. That new frame and rear suspension made a major difference in ride quality and strangely, the truck is also significantly quieter. No new bearings anywhere or front end work. Just the new frame and rear suspension. Don't know why it's so much quieter, but it is. Not sure if I should go with all new strut assemblies if I can find the same as factory original, or just new front shocks. With the new rear springs and shocks the back is now a little higher than the front but with a little weight it will probably level out. Last thing I want to do is make the ride hard and jittery with a setup that is for off-road in a truck that is never used off-road, but does carry about 150 pounds of tools and tool boxes.