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2.4l front end work

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by singlecab4life, Mar 8, 2025.

  1. Mar 8, 2025 at 2:20 PM
    #1
    singlecab4life

    singlecab4life [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2018
    Member:
    #250296
    Messages:
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    Look at this gloriously unmaintained stock 1st gen 2.4l :headbang:

    [​IMG]

    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 :thumbsup:


    FRONT LEFT:
    [​IMG]

    FRONT LEFT BEHIND:
    [​IMG]

    FRONT RIGHT:
    [​IMG]

    ALSO FRONT RIGHT:
    [​IMG]

    FRONT RIGHT BEHIND:
    [​IMG]

    REAR:
    [​IMG]

    I SWAPPED THE BENCH FOR BUCKETS A FEW YEARS AGO. BEST UPGRADE EVARRR :militarypress:
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Mar 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM
    #2
    singlecab4life

    singlecab4life [OP] New Member

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  3. Mar 8, 2025 at 3:20 PM
    #3
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    98 Dlx Sr5 ext AT Rwd
    3rz to 2Rz bebuilt block and new heads
    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
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2025
    singlecab4life[OP] likes this.
  4. Mar 9, 2025 at 7:04 PM
    #4
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

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    Sugar Land TX
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    1996 Taco 2.4L 2wd Automatic
    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    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
     
    singlecab4life[OP] likes this.
  5. Mar 9, 2025 at 7:12 PM
    #5
    singlecab4life

    singlecab4life [OP] New Member

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    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.
     

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