1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Front Shock/Strut assembly replacement

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by pwmillsap, Aug 19, 2025.

  1. Aug 19, 2025 at 3:53 PM
    #1
    pwmillsap

    pwmillsap [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2025
    Member:
    #475688
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1996 Black Tacoma 2.7l
    My front shocks are leaking and need replacement. Rock Auto has full shock and coil assemblies selling for like 50 each but I was recommended shocksurplus.com. However, pretty much everything there is wildly expensive. I'm not sure if I'm missing something here (I'm admittedly extremely new to all this). If someone can help me understand and potentially point me in the direction of where to find economical shock/strut assemblies.

    I have a '96 2.7l Tacoma 4wd.
     
  2. Aug 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
    #2
    02hilux

    02hilux What do you mean there’s no road, I’m here

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197244
    Messages:
    6,518
    Planet: EARTH
    I highly recommend Bilstein 4600 but if that’s not an option, at a minimum, KYB over other brands
     
    Clearwater Bill likes this.
  3. Aug 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
    #3
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2014
    Member:
    #140097
    Messages:
    24,963
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks
    Contact @memario1214 of hotshot off-road for product and pricing options.

    I think he'll also suggest what @02hilux did, but he may have great deals going on with labor day coming
     
    02hilux likes this.
  4. Aug 19, 2025 at 4:33 PM
    #4
    02hilux

    02hilux What do you mean there’s no road, I’m here

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #197244
    Messages:
    6,518
    Planet: EARTH
    Agree. Wait for the sale.
     
  5. Aug 20, 2025 at 7:12 AM
    #5
    rocknbil

    rocknbil Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2023
    Member:
    #414860
    Messages:
    1,142
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Vehicle:
    2003 Taco Ext Cab DLX TRD 4WD MT 3.4L
    Welcome to TW. I am running these.

    "Economical" is a risky proposition, cheaper shocks will wind up leaking sooner and possibly have other issues. To just replace shocks requires spring compressors which can be dangerous, and you have to ensure you get all the correct hardware. You want to replace all shocks at once, The link above is a 4-corner set, with Bistein 4600's, fully assembled coilovers, as close to stock as you'll get (OEM is no longer available.)

    Suspensionlifts.com is based out of Canada but their address is Torrance CA and they ship from warehouses nationwide. Items arrive in a matter of days rather than weeks.

    For lower ball joints and other suspension parts go with OEM.
     
    pwmillsap[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  6. Aug 20, 2025 at 7:53 AM
    #6
    mbeers6

    mbeers6 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2013
    Member:
    #108796
    Messages:
    81
    Gender:
    Male
    East bay, ca
    Vehicle:
    03 tacoma double cab 4wd
    Air filter
    I went with the same setup as @rocknbil and waiting on delivery. They are on sale right now so I'd jump on it. Last time I needed front shocks I did the springs myself and it although I'm a competent mechanic, the spring compression is kind of sketchy. This setup is plug and play.
     
  7. Aug 20, 2025 at 12:37 PM
    #7
    pwmillsap

    pwmillsap [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2025
    Member:
    #475688
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1996 Black Tacoma 2.7l
    This is great. I'll be taking your advice. I know they're on sale now but I can't buy anything at the moment cause I'm super broke. But next paycheck I'll definitely go in on them.
     
  8. Aug 22, 2025 at 7:35 PM
    #8
    TacoLolo

    TacoLolo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2024
    Member:
    #443962
    Messages:
    94
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    JC
    808
    Vehicle:
    2004 PreRunner SR5 Xtra-cab 2.7L L4 A/T TRD Off Road
    Mostly cosmetic but she ain’t stock(looking) anymore.
    Can you get away with 1” front leveling plates with the 4600’s?
     
  9. Aug 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
    #9
    t0p_d0g

    t0p_d0g My Tacoma is my happy place

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2023
    Member:
    #422653
    Messages:
    2,188
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD SPORT 4X4 DCSB CSM, 2004 TRD OR DCSB IRP
  10. Aug 23, 2025 at 12:41 AM
    #10
    Bakergurl107

    Bakergurl107 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2025
    Member:
    #463851
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Liana
    Vehicle:
    ‘02 3.4L Tacoma
    I ordered Bilstein 5100s running stock coils I’m pretty happy with them! Ordered from shock surplus got a good deal and they showed up pretty quick! Doing to upgrade the coils once I can find a bumper
     
  11. Aug 23, 2025 at 11:12 AM
    #11
    pwmillsap

    pwmillsap [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2025
    Member:
    #475688
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1996 Black Tacoma 2.7l
    Ordered these as recommended and as @rocknbil said they came in a matter of days. They're already out for delivery and I ordered them only a few days ago. I was thrown off because they never emailed me a tacking number but when I looked up the order on their website there was a tracking number. Will post an update later this week when I install them and my new lower ball joints.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top