Identifying 2nd vs 3rd gen suspension

Is there anyway to visually tell the difference between 2nd and 3rd gen OR shocks/springs?

Or are the part numbers different on them, etc.

 

They're the same.

 

Word, what about the coils? They aren't stamped besides the color circles for L and R... correct?

 

There's different spring rates depending on trim, for example the TRD O/R are progressive, the sports are digressive, the 4 cylinders and 2wd have a lighter spring rate than the V6 and 4WD's etc...

Seems like your fishing around in the dark here, what question are you *really* asking or are you just wanting learning about Toyota springs for fun in general?

Typically yes Toyota uses a colored dots system to indicate left and right but I believe aftermarket uses the same coils for both sides, to accommodate for the Taco lean it's recommended to get a 1/4" trim packer spacer.

What are you actually wanting to do?

Aftermarket is generally better and cheaper than OEM when it comes to springs, the one notable exception I am aware of is 99 4Runner rear springs.

 

Haha not intentionally fishing in the dark.

Very plainly, just curious if you can tell a difference in the coils and/or shocks (said they were the same), visually.

Looking at getting a hold of a "3rd" gen set of OR take offs, but have my suspicions that they are 2nd gen.

 

They will work just fine, all the dimensions are the same.

Not a bad idea if you're on a budget but suspension stuff is typically best to buy new.

 

Not worried about fitment, just want the heavier duty coils from the 3rd gen. So if I buy 3rd and its really 2nd then I have made 0 upgrade hahaha

 

3rd gen coils have a higher spring rate than 2nd gen coils

 

Guys, haha, visually.

Not worried about technical info, I got all that, just wondering if there is a way to double check. So far it looks to be weight and P/N if its stamped, need to look at mine, dunno if they are.

 

Check the colored dots, I can't tell you which ones are wich but if they're different dots then you know they're different rates.

I think I have a set of known 3rd gen off road coils if I can find them I'll upload a picture of the dots.

 

I wondered if that was a possibility. Youre the man, let me know!

 

It may help, but looking at pics of 2nd gen and legit 3rd gen Springs it looked to me like the 3rd gen Springs had one extra coil over the 2nd gens. I wouldn’t quite that as gospel but that’s what it looked like to me.

 

See this post and compare side by side. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/review-3rd-gen-suspension-on-2nd-gen.542843/

 

Hey man, I did find them but now that I think about it, I want to say these are actually off of a TRD SPORT 4x4, but I do know for a fact they are off of a third gen as another member on here bought his third gen, and then turned around and brought it to me to put a lift on it, only payment I asked for was to keep his old suspension stuff. I had his rear leafs on my second gen before I got a set of Dakar MD leafs, and went 5100/OME 887 up front.

I'm also including a picture of the part numbers for the rear shocks which you can see are the same, interestingly enough the paint marks on the springs and the part numbers for the shocks up front also appear to be identical. Does not appear to have a left or right side specific.

 

Here are some pictures of the 3rd gens TRD Off Roads I bought, the one with the red and green dots on the right side of the picture is the drivers side. The passenger side shock assemblies have the red and blue dots. Also note the plastic insulator (Not really sure what they’re called) on the second from the top coil that I’m pointing to, these are not on the 2nd gens:





Here are my old 2nd generation (Different color dots, no plastic insulators at the top and different color dots):

 

Perfect, exactly what I needed. Thank you fellas!