Gen 1 shock replacement suggestions

Hello

I have a stock 4wd, v8 with 170k miles and will be towing a couple of middle weight moto bikes cross country. It looks like its time to replace front and back units. BTW some car applications (Toyota) recommend NOT using quick strut replacement assemblies. What is the story for the Tundra front struts?

What shock suggestions are there for general use and not a work or offroad user?

Thanks

WW

 

Bilstein 4600 is probably the closest you're going to get to OEM, although the OEMs on my '06 were KYB.

If you have no intent to lift, and don't plan to go overboard, I'd go Bilstein 4600s, or 5100s and just use the bottom clip on the 5100s. And consider adding some helper bags out back, just make sure you plumb them independently.

After 170k miles though, especially if you're in the salt belt, you may want to consider new springs up front and new leafs out back.

 

Thanks for the post- just a note I am in N Calif

 

Or you could just go with the OEM Tokico shocks from Toyota.

 

Interesting- called the dealer and they did not know who made the OEM shocks

 

What is the consensus on quick struts like those from Monroe or KYB for the front?

 

Consensus is the springs that come with them suck. And the shocks pretty much suck too.

 

I don’t know of anyone who’s posted here replacing them with those brands. Monroes have never lasted long on my older car. I was lucky to get 40-50k miles out of them. Might be too soft for the truck but like I said, I know of nobody who’s used them. KYB makes good replacement top hats for the coil over shock setup but that’s all I know.

 

When I mentioned my OEMs were KYB earlier, I was referencing the rears. I haven't yoinked my fronts yet, so not sure what brand they are. I'm fairly sure mine are original to my truck, it barely had 60k on the clock when I got it.

 

Mine had KYB front and rear when I bought it with the TRD springs.

 

I put Bilstein yellow n blues on back and front of mine.

 

Do Bilstein 4600's.

Avoid Monroe or other quick struts.

 

I had the quick strut leveling by rancho. They provided the increase in height and ride pretty good. The issue is with the bottom bushing only lasting one year.

 

Were the KYB's stock?

 

On my '04 2WD Tundra, I replaced the stock shocks with Bilstein 4600 (B6) at around 80k miles. Made a big improvement in the ride quality. Rear shocks were shot.

For the fronts, my spring compressor wasn't able to handle the Tundra springs. So I took the strut assemblies to Pep Boys, along with the new inserts. I think they charged me $40 to swap them out. This was 10+ years ago though, so the $ may be higher now.

Avoid quick struts, they are typically garbage.

 

They were one of the stock options. I bought it used, so hard to say if they were original, but truck was only 4 years old and they looked beat, so I’m guessing they were. I replaced them with 5100’s. I replaced those with more 5100’s. Kept the TRD springs.

 

Hmmm - In my area Pep B doesn't swap springs anymore as they did some time ago.
I see KYBs are available as the Bilstiens are around 100 . I dont intend on keeping the truck as the goal is to find a Toyota Sienna. This is good detail on Monroe

 

If you’re just gonna ditch the truck, put whatever you can get cheap on it. Why the fuss?

 

In that case, you can't go wrong with these:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4433589&cc=1357938&pt=15174&jsn=472

 

No don't do that, we all suffer a bit with that philosophy.

Lots of good options here for some decent quality shocks/struts for a pure stock replacement. I've run 2 sets (4 runner and 1 set on my Tundra) of KYB Gas-adjust and they performed well for about 35-40k and are very reasonable. The only pain with replacing these on yota's is the front strut - if you're able to remove your assembled coilovers and bring them to a shop with the new struts and just pay the $50 fee to get em swapped or whatever - you'll be in good shape.

If you do end up buying yourself some quick struts then consider hanging onto the OEM stuff for the next buyer to receive when you unload the truck.

 

Mine were.

This ^^

Never Rancho. Their lower bushings can't handle the stress of the 1GT's front suspension geometry and die a quick, nasty, murderous death.

Also this ^^

If you toss some 4600s on there, it's a selling point. Anyone can look under the truck, see the blue and yellow, and know they're getting basically what Toyota offered as a suspension upgrade on these trucks IMO.

 

Chose to replace original Tokico’s with same from dealer. Good enough for my 99% street driving. Re-tained original coils !

 

Where in NorCal are you? How many miles does the truck have?

 

This is one busy place! Thanks for all the input.

As I got this truck from my neighbor, its likely the 1st time its hauled anything.

This was his commuter car, never hauled anything but his butt (Bay Area, 1 owner, always dealer serviced, 170 k miles). Some people buy 4x4 trucks for who knows why.

Once I find the Sienna XLE (2008 or 09) I will let this go. But as it stands its going to haul the scooters this year.

 

You may have some interested folks here for a quick sale, cash. Unless you're asking a pretty penny. I know a couple of our members in your locale wouldn't mind having a 2nd truck...

 

If you can wait for my Toytec Aluma lift kit to get here, like, when I buy it in 2-3 months... I'll sell you my OME 2884/5100 assembly and the 5100's from the rear. Don't even think I've had them on for even a year.

 

Count me as interested down the road too!

 

Roger that, consider yourself 2nd in line!

 

BTW I am in the garage today replacing the rear shocks - settled on the KYB.
and see something wierd. There are 2 holes at the top shock mount area. 1 hole is oriented to the cab and there is a 2nd hole 3 inches away facing the tail gate.
As this is a stock truck ( no lift kit), the question is which hole is the correct one for a stock shock replacement?

Something doesn't look right with the shock place in the hole oriented towards the cab.

OK - will keep you all in mind when I find the Sienna XLE and post it here

Also am am upgrading the seat foam along with a set of Camo seat covers.

 

Got any pics? You're saying the upper shock mount is drilled for two holes?