Question: 2017 coilover color code

One of my buddies with a 2017 gave his stock coilovers to another buddy with a 2013.

Long story short, he (2017) doesn't remember which one came from driver side and passenger side.

It would be appreciated if anyone with stock coilovers on a 2017 offroad could tell me the color codes so we put the correct one on each side. Thanks.

 

If they are the stock suspension parts they are not coilovers. they are struts, coilsprings, and strut top mounts. it should not matter which side you put them on.. unless the top mount bolts don't line up then try the opposite side but I'm pretty sure they wont matter

 

The colors matter. The driver side has a higher rate than the passenger side.They're marked so they're put on the correct side at the factory.

 

If they are the same as the '16...red/green = Driver's, red/blue = Passengers. Just verified on mine.

Also see:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-front-springs-red-green-and-red-blue.455760/

 

Possibly the same, I'll have to look in the morning. I saw that post on the 2016s earlier. I know the codes change from time to time... How often, I'm not sure.

 

My bad, I was not aware they used different spring rates. Is this only on the OR?

 

It's on all of them and not unique to the OR.
I ask about the OR incase the Sport has different color codes, which has happened in the past.

 

When I glanced at them the other day the colors looked very similar for each side, but i did notice they were slightly different.
Wish I had them in front of me instead of at his place to snap a picture.
So, I could see you thinking they looked the same because of how close the color schemes are.

 

Verified this morning and colors are the same as the 16.

 

When I first got my truck, I spent a while trying to determine exactly what vocabulary to use when referring to our suspension. Here's where I ended up. Please let me know if I am still misinformed.

The front suspension uses coilovers. Not struts, because if you took out the coilovers, the suspension would drop to its lowest point, but the wheels would still be firmly attached to the vehicle and steerable. Obviously you wouldn't want to do this as it could cause damage, but you could, which you technically could not do with a strut. Also, its wrong to call the whole assembly shocks because of the mounts. The top and bottom mounts, spring, and shock together comprise a coilover.

The rear suspension uses shocks and leaf springs. Replacing rear shocks does not require an alignment. You could remove them, the truck would remain at its prior level, and drive the truck. It would be a roller coaster of the ride because the damping is only coming from the leaf springs.


Last thing: Toyota assembled the left and right coilovers with different springs to account for the infamous Taco lean. Its why some companies recommend adding a 1/4" spacer or some other method to lift the driver side just a bit more if you buy a set of replacement aftermarket coilovers.

 

A strut is basically a shock with the exception that it actually supports the weight of the vehicle. it does this by using a coil spring which is mounted as an assembly. most people do not refer to this setup as a coil over. most people when talking about coilovers are referring to replacement for the factory struts which has a threaded body where the spring perch sit that can be adjusted to raise or lower vehicle, some even have adjustments for valve dampening. either way if you call a strut assembly a coilover people will know what your talking about..

If you remove the strut/coilover the wheels are still able to be attached however without anything to support the weight of the vehicle your tire would end up as high up in the fender as the vehicle will allow before laying on the ground therefore the vehicle is not drivable.

I'm not sure if you are thinking of those cheap coilover springs that can be inserted to replace the coil spring in a strut assembly or what. but that's the only way I could see a vehicle still drivable without the spring.

 

1st image shock and strut assembly
2nd coilovers
3rd cheap coilover sleeve

 

Quoting @jberry813 in Suspension forum sticky, Tacomas don't have struts.
Every single 6 lug Tacoma since inception came from the factory with a coilover based front suspension. Yes...you have coilovers...stock. In addition, coilover does not mean adjustable. It simply means the coil spring surrounds the shock absorber and the assembly is independent of the suspension.

Robert

 

interesting. so what differentiates a strut assembly from a coilover assembly? is it because most struts have the spring perch towards the top of the body and have a strut rod that is surrounded by the coil?

 

Look this up in Suspension forum, good explanation.

Robert

 

I didn't say drivable, just steerable.
And coilover is short for coil spring over shock.

 

Way back in the day I had a 09 sport 2 wheel dr. Then got a 10 OR 4X4.
I have helped and changed out springs many times, 30 or so is my guess.
I tried to figure out the color codes and it seems different for each variation. Sport, OR, 2X4, 4X4, and also years seemed to change them.
When I do them now I write on them which side and other info on them.
I guess I have about 6 sets sitting around and have no idea which color matches what side or truck.
Hope you get the correct answer you need.

 

This is what I think of when I hear the term Strut.
On left is a strut.
On the right is a shock.
Coilover = Coil spring over shock.

 

Moral of the story: I was not concerned with anyone calling them struts although their coilovers because I was focused on getting the information that I was asking about.

Thankfully, I have the information. Verified that they're the same color codes as the 2016.

 

I think of a strut as a component of a suspension that is integral to the suspension. For example, most front drive vehicles. The strut attached to the top of the knuckle and is used in place of an upper control arm. The strut can incorporate the spring and sometimes have the spring elsewhere such as Fox body Mustangs.

I would consider the Tacoma front suspension to be coil over because the shock and coil are combined in a package to support and dampen the suspension independent of the suspension itself.