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Top Hat Front Strut Replaced?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by ElkNut, Nov 30, 2017.

  1. Nov 30, 2017 at 3:47 PM
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    ElkNut

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    ElkNut [OP] Member

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    Hey guys, does anyone know the proper name of the Top Hat that has the 3 holes & the coil spring fits into it & strut protrudes through the middle of it? I'm installing new Bilstein Struts & do not want to use the old one but I cannot seem to find them online, most likely because I do not know their actual ordering name? Thanks!

    ElkNut/Paul
     
    ElkNut, Nov 30, 2017
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  2. Nov 30, 2017 at 3:57 PM
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    blu92in99

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    blu92in99 Hates everyone, equally

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    "Strut mount" or "upper shock mount" typically.
     
    blu92in99, Nov 30, 2017
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  3. Nov 30, 2017 at 3:59 PM
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    PapaBear

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    PapaBear Never test how deep the water is with both feet.

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    You can reuse the metal portion of the top hat but you should replace bushings and the main rubber coil spacer.
     
    PapaBear, Nov 30, 2017
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  4. Nov 30, 2017 at 4:13 PM
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    ElkNut

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    ElkNut [OP] Member

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    Thank you! I'll check to see if there's a kit available with the bushings & rubber coil spacer!

    ElkNut/Paul
     
    ElkNut, Nov 30, 2017
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  5. Nov 30, 2017 at 4:17 PM
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    BassAckwards

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    BassAckwards Well-Known Member

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    The bushing you need for between the coil and the top hat is called a coil isolator. Wheelers offroad has a pair of them for $20. Heres a link Ive been looking for a set of front shock bushings as my 5100s that i bought didnt come with any
     
    BassAckwards, Nov 30, 2017
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  6. Nov 30, 2017 at 4:18 PM
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    blu92in99

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    blu92in99 Hates everyone, equally

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    KYB, p/n#
    $30 SM5640 - Mount Kit
    SM5640. About $25/ea on Amazon.
     
    blu92in99, Nov 30, 2017
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  7. Nov 30, 2017 at 4:23 PM
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    ElkNut

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    ElkNut [OP] Member

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    Sweet! Those are it! Thanks a ton guys!

    ElkNut/Paul
     
    ElkNut, Nov 30, 2017
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  8. Nov 30, 2017 at 4:27 PM
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    Muddinfun

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    Muddinfun Well-Known Member

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    Muddinfun, Nov 30, 2017
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  9. Nov 30, 2017 at 4:28 PM
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    BassAckwards

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    BassAckwards Well-Known Member

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    BassAckwards, Nov 30, 2017
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  10. Nov 30, 2017 at 5:02 PM
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    ElkNut

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    ElkNut [OP] Member

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    Thanks again, parts ordered!

    ElkNut/Paul
     
    ElkNut, Nov 30, 2017
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  11. Nov 30, 2017 at 5:48 PM
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    Subway4X4

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    Subway4X4 Shameless Copy Cat

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    If you order
    $30 KYB SM5640 - Mount Kit
    this kit from Amazon,

    It comes with the top hat, ALL the rubber bushings below and above the top hat, all the large bushing washers and the three stud nuts AND the coil spring isolators.

    How do I know this?

    Did it last week. Except I re-used the three tophat stud nuts coz they were black, instead of the supplied bright zinc.

    IMGP7123.jpg


    Old vs. new
    IMGP7121.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2017
    Subway4X4, Nov 30, 2017
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  12. Nov 30, 2017 at 5:55 PM
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    Pigpen

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    Pigpen My truck is never clean

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    As mentioned above, you don't want to reuse a strut mount that looks like this

    image.jpg
     
    Pigpen, Nov 30, 2017
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  13. Nov 30, 2017 at 5:57 PM
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    ElkNut

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    ElkNut [OP] Member

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    No problem guys, I ordered the complete assembly! Thanks a bunch!

    ElkNut/Paul
     
    ElkNut, Nov 30, 2017
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  14. Nov 30, 2017 at 5:57 PM
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    Subway4X4

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    Yup. When it was still all together, I could actually see the shock rod NOT centered in the top hat hole. Not good.
     
    Subway4X4, Nov 30, 2017
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  15. Nov 30, 2017 at 6:00 PM
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    Pigpen

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    Pigpen My truck is never clean

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    Same here. The shaft on the struts had a little wear, but I put them right back in - they are 5100s that are just over a year old with about 15K miles in them.
     
    Pigpen, Nov 30, 2017
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  16. May 26, 2018 at 11:26 PM
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    cheeze

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    cheeze New Member

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    OP, did the strut mount being bored out like that make any clattering or clunking?

    I have a GX470 that uses the same KYB # number. When I swapped to 5100s, I left the old top hat on since it was damn near welded onto the perch. Now, when I go down washboards, it clatters like crazy and is driving me insane. It also kinda feels like the shock isn't damping 100%.
     
    cheeze, May 26, 2018
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KYB SM5640 - Mount Kit
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