2024+ Front Shock Top Hat Failure TALLY...

That's good to know. Thanks for the info!

 

The "marked-up" red ring on the stock cast aluminum part shows where the aftermarket Icon plate provides support from above.

Less than 10 minutes per side for a do-it-yourselfer.

 

^I posted this two months ago lol

 

The real trick would be to get a photo of the T4R tophat from above. Until we get that, it looks like Toyota might be installing a reinforcement plate like Icon's, but beneath the shock tower instead of above it. I would not be surprised to learn both models have the same press-fit aluminum casting that is failing.

 

^Toyota wouldn't be installing a reinforcement plate. Toyota would go back to a steel top hat like they've been doing for the past 40 years, because it's 40 cents cheaper per truck.

 

Do the 4runners have an external (normal) bumpstop? Like the new Land Cruiser. Or are they part of the strut assembly like Tacoma?

 

^The bumpstop is inside the shock like the Tacoma, but the LCA has the bumpstop strike pad due to parts sharing with the Land Cruiser and GX550. The Land Cruiser bumpstop bracket may well bolt right into the 4Runner.

 

If the bump stop on the shock is putting stress on the top hat and you reinforce the top hat (either Icon or with the new (old/traditional) Toyota part) won't the stress be transferred to the lower shock mount? What does your lower shock mount look like? Is it single shear like the pic of the LC below (note the bump stop) or double shear like on my Pro?

 

If not bolt on, one could be welded on strategically. I still feel this is a design failure. One that was not tested enough. They tried to copy Ford and others that use internal bumpstops and Toyota failed.

 

They "would," would they? This is all speculation until someone manages a photo from the top showing whether that aluminum casting is in place or not on the T4R OR.

 

https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=11660355

No similar complaints for the 2025 so far.

 

Installed the Icon's on my buddy's rig yesterday. No noticeable performance or ride difference offroading on Florida trails.

 

Meh, if you aren't convinced, get off your ass and take a look at a 4Runner at your nearest dealer.

 

The 6th gen 4Runner LCA is the same as the LC and GX550, straight parts sharing at Toyota. The 4Runner LCA therefore also has a dimple to clear the GX550's KDSS swaybar, even though the 4Runner isn't available with KDSS on any trim.



However, the lower shock bolt doesn't take shear loads. The shock bushing rides on a large-diameter spigot welded to the LCA:

 

So the shock bolt isn't shear loaded instead the spigot is?

 

What was the point of TNGA-F if they are going to make so many different parts? I don't think having the KDSS dimple on the LCA would matter on the Tacomas either. Why make a double shear mount on the Tacoma and a "spigot" on the the LC/4R? Are the shocks on the LC not strong enough to handle an internal bump stop so they get external ones?

Looks like the LC bump stop bolts are also on the Tacomas (looks like they may be for the engine mounts) so we should be able to bolt them on, but are the internal bump stops good enough? Should we be second guessing Toyota's design strategy? Well, other than their decision to initially use a cast metal top hat.

 

Correct. The bolt just prevents the shock bushing from sliding off the spigot.

 

Anyone happen to know the torque speck on tightening the nuts?

 

Older version of the taco was 47ft.lbs

 

Thanks!