2012 sr5 to 2018 TRD offroad suspension swap

Hey all, I got a great deal on a lightly used set of shocks and springs that I'd like to put on my truck. But I have a few questions before I start the swap.

1. The front coil springs have markings denoting which side of the vehicle they should be installed on. One coil has a red and blue dot and the other has a red and green dot. Which is which?

2. The leafs also have markings. There are red and green dots present, but the location of these colored dots is mirrored from one leaf pack to the other. Should the red or green dots be installed facing outward?

3. To the best of my knowledge, the shock absorbers shouldn't be side specific. If this is incorrect let me know.

4. I went ahead and bought new mounts for the front coil over assemblies so I won't have to disassemble my old set (probably easier to sell that way). The shock hat has a thick rubber bushing underneath where the top of the coil sits. The coil perch on the shock absorber does not have any sort of bushing. Should this side be a metal on metal contact or am I missing a piece?

I think that's about it. There are some pics attached related to the questions that'll hopefully provide a visual aid to my attempts at describing these parts. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!

 

I can't be there first person here who's done this. I'll try searching some more and come back.

 

One question down.

 

Good luck buddy. I'm guessing very few gen. 3 owners came from a Gen. 2.

 

I think this thread has me covered.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/review-3rd-gen-suspension-on-2nd-gen.542843/

 

https://imgur.com/iaId99f

 

Looking at the stock suspension, I don't see anything between the perch and coil spring. Looks like the spring mates directly to the perch with no bushing. So I should be good.

 

Part numbers match on fronts and rears. Doesn't appear to be side specific.

 

The shocks themselves are not side specific but the springs are as they are made to counter act the “taco lean”. I’m not 100% sure which markings are which side but after work I can go out and see if I can find them on my factory springs and let you know.

 

That'd be great. Both springs have a red dot. But one has a green below and the other has a blue dot.

 

“The coil with the red and green dot is the driver side. the red with blue is the passenger side. The orientation can only go two directions as it is controlled by the bottom bolt - the correct orientation (when looking into the driver side wheel well) has two cap bolts nearest you with the top of the coil spring end facing rear towards the back of the vehicle on the outward side of the wheel well. The passenger side has the same orientation with regard to the top hat and the bottom bolt and it's top end of the coil spring end again is oriented towards the back of the truck.”

quoted from a 2019 3rd gen post I found on my lunch.

 

Thanks a ton! Exactly what I needed

 

I actually just got myself a 2021 suspension today to upgrade my 2013 and the front struts are disassembled and I’ve never assembled them before. It was sold only with the hardware pictured.

Can anyone please help me determine what exactly I’m missing that I would need to to install these and possibly where to source the parts?

 

Looks like they upgraded to OEM TRD lift kit that reuses the OEM top hats. Looks like you just need to order two new top hats for the front shocks, I’d go with OEM parts.

 

As mentioned above, buy a set of OEM top hats. The shocks are the same (side to side) but the spring with two dots is your driver side spring.

 

Ermergherd, but OEM!!!!

NO.

One Toyota top mount will cost more than a pair of KYB. Unless someone here wants to insist KYB is junk. I know you want to, come on, do it...

 

Thanks, Got these ordered today.

 

And I literally just noticed the year specified is 03-09’ ‍♂️
Will those work on my 2013?

 

When you look up 2013 Tacoma 4wd on Rock Auto, you get the same KYB part number...



Edit... looked up 2017... same part number too.