Need Help With Front End Rebuild

Hello All, New 1st gen owner here. I recently got a 2001 Tacoma TRD off road that needs some suspension work. The UCA and LCA along with ball joints and shocks/coils need to be replaced. At this point I’m thinking I just rebuild the whole front suspension. Would anyone know what exactly goes into a full front suspension rebuild? Any kits out there that include all I need? I’d like to go aftermarket unless OEM is cheaper. My rear suspension also needs done, but just shocks. Thank You for any help.

 

OEM is not cheaper but recommended for reliability.

 

OEM ball joints for sure.

@memario1214 from Hotshot offroad might be able to set you up with other bits you need.

 

- uca bushings
- upper ball joint
- lower ball joint
- lower control arm bushings
- sway bar end links
- outer tie rod ends
- shocks

Highly recommend keeping oem control arms, aftermarket ones can be a crap shoot.

I used whiteline bushings and am pretty happy with them.


OEM lower ball joints for sure.

 

Do not go cheap on the ball joints.
They are the weak link on the 1st gen trucks. New bolts for them too.
My advice is go OEM on those.

The rest of the parts. You go aftermarket. I’ve used mevotech on our ford and dodge trucks. Doing fine so far.

 

To which I'd only add: steering rack/steering gear bushings, if the rack is OK. Make sure you have a half inch drive impact wrench and lots of PB blaster on hand OR mix up ATF/acetone, which has been tested to beat most commercial penetrating oils. Also agree, if you can go OEM, do so, unless you don't mind redoing the job at inconvenient intervals. The only aftermarket stuff I'm comfortable with are the coilovers, shocks, and bushings.

There's two (and a half) options for upper/lower bushings: remove the bushings, press/burn/pop them out yourself, replace the entire arm (they come with bushings pressed in,) or the half option is pick up a used set, do the bushings work, swap them out.I figured this would add at least 6 hours to the project, so I just replaced the control arms with OEM arms. It was worth it LOL

Beware of the bump stops on the arms: the welded nut inside the arm failed on mine, front, both sides, wound up having to cut a hole in the back of the arm to get the bump stops off. Buy new ones if it's in your budget and that problem goes away.

You didn't indicate if you want/have any lift, the below is for stock configurations only.

As for shocks, Tacomas have coilovers up front which would mean you have to get/rent a spring compressor to access the shocks. In this process you'd want to replace the rubber top hats, bushings etc. I figured this would add at least a few painful hours to my project so I opted for assembled coilovers and ride these now (STOCK HEIGHT.) Moog 81104 springs, as close as you can get to stock, Bilsteins all around. They are currently showing as out of stock but contact them, their response times are stellar IME.

https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...with-rear-shocks-for-1995-2004-toyota-tacoma/

 

Part Number Part Name Price Quantity Total
90119-10933 Bolt W Washer $2.11 8 $16.88
90209-14010 Suspension Control Arm Washer $6.36 4 $25.44
90080-17208 Upper Control Arm Nut $3.23 2 $6.46
48610-35050 Upper Control Arm $202.40 1 $202.40
48630-35030 Upper Control Arm $202.40 1 $202.40
90369-54002 Wheel Bearing, Front $100.30 2 $200.60
90316-69001 Wheel Seal (Left, Right, Front) $53.48 2 $106.96
90312-95001 Wheel Seal (Left, Right, Front) $22.74 2 $45.48
47703-35091 Brake Dust Shield (Right, Front) $35.59 1 $35.59
47704-35091 Brake Dust Shield (Left, Front) $35.59 1 $35.59
43330-39556 Suspension Ball Joint (Right, Front, Lower) $125.71 1 $125.71
43340-39436 Suspension Ball Joint (Left, Front, Lower) $100.61 1 $100.61
90311-47027 Output Shaft Seal $14.15 1 $14.15
90311-47013 Output Shaft Seal $15.40 1 $15.40
48069-35120 Suspension Control Arm (Left, Front, Lower) $226.37 1 $226.37
48452-35020 Alignment Camber Adjusting Eccentric (Front) $19.35 4 $77.40
48409-35050 Cam Sub-Assembly, Front Suspension Toe Adjust $18.29 4 $73.16
90080-11283 Suspension Control Arm Bolt $5.92 4 $23.68
44250-35042 Steering Gear $495.00 1 $495.00
45046-39295 Steering Tie Rod End (Right) $46.68 1 $46.68
45047-39175 Steering Tie Rod End (Left) $46.68 1 $46.68
48820-35040 Link Assembly, Front Stabilizer, Right $56.04 1 $56.04
48815-35090 Suspension Stabilizer Bar Bushing (Front) $15.99 2 $31.98
48824-35100 Suspension Stabilizer Bar Bracket (Right, Front) $14.03 1 $14.03

$33 43514-28010 Genuine Toyota Parts - Cap, Fr Hub Grease (43514-28010)

43514-28010 Wheel Bearing Dust Cap (Left, Right, Front) $16.37 1 $16.37
48810-35020 Link Assembly, Front Stabilizer, Left $56.04 1 $56.04
43310-39016 Suspension Ball Joint (Left, Right, Front, Upper) $45.01 2 $90.02
48068-35120 Suspension Control Arm (Right, Front, Lower) $226.37 1 $226.37
48829-35070 Stabilizer Bar Bracket $14.03 1 $14.03

Subtotal:$2,627.52
Estimated Shipping to 06756 via Standard Shipping:$147.48
Tax:$176.19
Total:$2,951.19

Here's what I just spent. This is a new oem front end complete. Was cheaper than the down payment for a new truck. And I like to play in the shop.
02 taco 4wd 2.7L. I'll be into the whole project for around the 10k mark in parts when I'm done. And I'll have a new truck. To each their own.

 

Man, this is the way to do it.

 

At those costs I would have went with upgraded aftermarket LCAs, UCAs, LBJs and alignment cams.