Advice for repair on a 200k taco?

Hey TW! I'm a relatively new member and owner of an 09 trd OR 6mt access cab. I bought the truck at 160k a couple years ago, now at 201k the truck feels like driving a trampoline down the road. I am about to tackle a pretty big diy suspension and general (coolant/diffs and tc oil/brake fluid/spark plugs) refresher and im asking for advice on the job like general tips and what to expect and are there fasteners i should be buying? With the help of some wonderful people on this site I've acquired new stock UCA'S shocks and coils and some lightly used leaf springs from 2nd and 3rd gens. I also ordered some moog tie rod ends, LCA's, and top hats since the coilovers didn't come assembled. I understand the consensus with aftermarket control arms is pretty negative but my balljoints are hurting and I'm sure the bushings could be refreshed plus I don't care if I have to replace them later with oe. I need the best highway reliability I can reasonably achieve so I decided to basically renew the suspension. Is there anything I'm not thinking of when going into this? I appreciate yall's time and wisdom if you're willing to share it!

 

Welcome @MDunk

I've done each of those things on my old 2nd gen with zero experience working on trucks. Tons of help from TW, YouTube and a $20 Haynes Manual. Very easy and manageable. I would recommend that Haynes Manual 100% and I wouldn't embark on any job without it. It's information and the pictures and torque specs is just indispensable.

https://haynes.com/en-us/toyota/tac...MI3ta52tnr6QIVAtvACh1a7wOOEAYYASABEgKlufD_BwE

if you get stuck on any of the jobs, let me know and I'll give you my 2 cents or screen shot you the appropriate Haynes discussion. Good luck.

 

Awesome thanks for the tip, I should've thought of that I have one for my other vehicles lol.

Thanks I'm hoping I can bust it out in a weekend with a buddy and align it on a Monday and have a brand new feeling rig. Very excited for that

 

This should get you started.
There are links in each section for the DIY.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference-guide.438945/

 

Here is a DIY for the Suspension Coils

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/easiest-way-to-replace-coilover.481015/

 

Nice thanks for the links! The quick reference guide is a great tool to have and I really like the idea of assembling the coil overs without a spring compressor

 

You can buy an inexpensive (~$35) and basic spring compressor. Those just take a lot longer to use, but they do the job just fine.

 

If you have any suspension rust, spray the bolts overnight with liquid wrench or acetone/ATF mix. Make sure to have a torque wrench.

 

My old man has a torque wrench I can borrow and a spring compressor if I need it and I plan to spray my parts several times in the weeks leading up to the repair with pb blaster, is the acetone/atf a better seeping lubricant?

 

50/50 mix of acetone and ATF trans fluid is the best penetrating oil or kroil oil. Liquid wrench would be better than pb blaster. WD-40 is the worse. If you have access to an impact gun, it would help greatly with the install.

 

Spring compressors are not necessary. I did my lift in the past with method similar to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkVLBOnAifc

 

Just a FYI, the reason it's "bouncing" is that the shocks are "shot." Replacing those will cure your problem. The springs may or may not be worn out. Definitely inspect them for R&R. While you're at it, replace any rubber items, since they are most likely beyond their useful life.

Good luck!

 

I agree, you most likely only need new shocks. They are relatively easy to replace; so replace those first and see how the ride quality changes. Springs primarily control ride height. If you bottom out a lot or they sag too much with weight, or they sag with no weight, then they need replacing. For the LCA, you're first gonna want to check that the cam bolts are not seized; that has been a common issue. One of mine seized and I'm in sunny Socal.

 

Awesome thank you all for the priceless info! My truck is definitely sagging at least in the front and I would like a taller and stiffer rear. The penetrating oil and cam bolt tips are going to be a great help guys. I'm in the Hudson valley NY region so I'm expecting to run into a bit of corrosio. I'm looking forward to taking the coilovers apart with this method i always hated spring compressors