2.4l front end work

Look at this gloriously unmaintained stock 1st gen 2.4l



I've had it for 100k miles.

The previous owner replaced "the shocks", so probably the ball joints and most of the front end. So let's say the LBJs have 100k+ on them.

Break it to me, should I just replace *everything* on the front end? Control arms, coils, struts, tie rods. Or can I get away with just like, ball joints and control arms, bushings?

I checked the LBJs a year or two ago and the "play" in them was a little over half of what was considered really bad.

What about doing nothing down there until the ball joints test really bad looool...

The shop I use for basic stuff quoted ~$1400 for control arms, ball joints and probably tie rods, but no suspension.

This might be my first post but am a longtime enjoyer of this site


FRONT LEFT:


FRONT LEFT BEHIND:


FRONT RIGHT:


ALSO FRONT RIGHT:


FRONT RIGHT BEHIND:


REAR:


I SWAPPED THE BENCH FOR BUCKETS A FEW YEARS AGO. BEST UPGRADE EVARRR

 

This looks like the parts list post I need: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-5-lug-2wd-front-suspension-rebuild.719498/

 

Did same as you couple years back on a 2.4

Napa lower arms / mevo tech upper arms

napa ball joints........energy susp sway bushing kit

all that was almost $700 just in parts


All that work was pretty simple...
.....except for the lower arms, that requires a spring compressor and multiple jacks


you can find a set springs really cheap for the front........I'd would do that
and a new set of brake flex lines for front

 

Meh….totally depends on how long u plan on keeping her

when shop says “no suspension”
That means
Shocks(easy)
Lower/upr control arms

the L/U CA’s are not bent, then only bushings would likely need RR’d

if front end squeaks when you push on hood/bumper…….then control arm bushings are good idea

wouldn’t worry about springs

 

Thanks for that.

When you say CA bushings, do you mean where the CAs meet the frame? It seems like if the CAs are coming off, I might as well replace the coils?

But eh, I'm alright with rusted parts. The CAs and coils are 100% flaking rust though.

It does not.