Front and rear shocks

I have a 2004 Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Xtra Cab V-6 with 151,000. This truck has been an excellent truck. However, this was the first Toyota truck I've ever owned. What life expectancy can I consider for the shocks? It has been maintained every 4k and has been driven on the highways and state secondary roads in North Carolina with no loads.

 

I've got a 2000 taco Xtra Cab 4x4 with the original shocks up front still and the trd bilsteins in the back I swapped out at about 4-5 yrs just cause a friend that has an offroad shop had them from a take off when he did a lift. Mine still ride fine. Dunno really what the life expectancy is of them though.

Murph

 

I changed my OEM ones out at 90K, made a world of difference.

 

Thanks! Did you use OEM or aftermarket?

 

I put Billy HD shocks (aftermarket).

 

i have two sets of trd shocks if interested. one set is off a double cab and the other set is from an extended cab. both 2004 with low miles 30,000.
asking 110 bucks shipped per set

 

i installed a set of bilstein 5100's on all 4 corners of my 04 double cab.........love the ride, way better than stock. i also have a set of front trd coils off my 04......only have 46k miles on them.....asking $40 plus shipping for the set............and they will lift the front of an extra cab about 1.5 inches. just a heads up!!

 

Thanks guys. I'm considering some aftermarkets. I'm also afraid of ther labor rate. I can install the rear shocks, but I don't have all of the tools necessary to do the front. A lift would be nice with an air wrench.

 

Just take the front shocks with your old setup and take it to a shop and have them install the new shocks and/or springs for you. I'm gathering it shouldn't be more than $40/side.

 

I think you need a coil spring compressor, is that correct? If so, I could change them at home.

 

Hey fellas,
Would any of your "gently used" shocks fit my 02 regular cab?
Its got @ 115,000 on it and really rolls from side to side with my cap on.
Without the cap it is a bouncy little bugger

 

Yes, but if you've never used those compressors then I would suggest taking them to a qualified mechanic to do so. Those compressors are very dangerous to those that have no experience with them.

 

Yeah i wouldnt recommend doing them at home, very dangerous

 

I downloaded the FSM from the link I found here. The FSM indicates to lower the floor jack to release the pressure on the springs. I'm guessing they are not using spring compressors, but apparently use the floor jack under the lower A-frame to relieve the pressure on the spring so the shock can be loosened and removed. I'm not too fond of spring compressors either!

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Rick

 

Using the floor jack just makes it easier for you to take out the whole coil over which includes the shock and spring still atattched to it. See if the link below helps you out.

http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/donahoeinstall/donahoeinstall.htm
http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/kingshocks/kingshocks.htm

 

Thanks, humanoid. These helped out. I could remove the entire unit and take it and have the new shock installed and bring it home. If the technician screws up, it's on them, especially if they get hurt!

 

Not trying to sidetrack this thread, but if I bought the blistens 5100's I don't need a spacer for the front they will turn up 2.5 inches and a 2.5 lift for the back. Also is it safe to say that the back shocks with lift is easy to do and have the fronts done by someone? Rick

 

well.....yes and no. you dont need a spacer for the front with the 5100's and yes..they will lift the front 2.5 inches.........but the 5100's themselves arent going to lift the rear of the truck. you will either need an aal or a block to accomplish that. the 5100's are "good for" a little lift in the rear, but just the rear shocks will not lift the rear.

 

Thanks Tacomaman that is what I meant to say. I should have said with the 5100's and a spacer on the rear. So you need a spacer for the rear and the 5100's and just the 5100's for the front??? Rick