'01 how long do front shocks last?

[bowyer2002]

I have the OEM shock/struts on my '01 DBL cab taco with 3" spacer lift, larger tires and 130K. Is it time to replace them?

BTW the rear shocks are Heckethorn longer for AAL & longer shackles and 70K on them.

Info is appreciated and recommendations on brands or coil-overs,
etc.

My truck is mostly on-road unless I am hunting, fishing or camping, no hard core wheeling - not here in NE Missouri at least!


Thanks!

 

[Mars]

Mine are feeling toasted. Very bouncy. When I replace I'll probably be looking at putting in the Tundra setup. I would bet that they are on the way out with 130k on them. Anything new would likely be a great improvement.

 

[MOfj40]

Jump on and off the front bumper. If they bounce more than once it's time for new. Otherwise leave em be.

 

[SAR_Squid79]

My 1st shock went bad at about 65K.

If you're at 130K still on the stock "Toyota Bilsteins" - You're probably overdue for new shocks, especially if you're running a 3" Spacer Lift.

I would recommend:
Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks: Part # B46-2284 ($89.95 ea.)

 

[bowyer2002]

Thanks for your suggestions - has anyone done the coil-over shocks and noticed enough difference in the "ride" to justify the cost? Or should I just replace the shock as suggested?

OR

Does anyone have some coil overs left over from going to a larger lift or SAS for sale?

Again, thanks for the suggestions!

 

[FLYINGLOW]

Look for oil on the body of the shock, mine is at 100K miles and has the front right blown.

Cruiser has 2!

 

[netwt12]

60 to 70 thousand is the norm.

 

[jdunkman]

I have the OEM shock/struts on my '01 DBL cab taco with 3" spacer lift, larger tires and 130K. Is it time to replace them?

BTW the rear shocks are Heckethorn longer for AAL & longer shackles and 70K on them.

Info is appreciated and recommendations on brands or coil-overs,
etc.

My truck is mostly on-road unless I am hunting, fishing or camping, no hard core wheeling - not here in NE Missouri at least!


Thanks!

No idea if they are the same as those on your Taco, but our 97 4rnr got to about 200k before I started to notice that the front shocks were going. Still on there at >220k now.

John

 

[Happy Trails]

X2 on the heavy duty Bilsteins! 5100 series.

 

[SAR_Squid79]

Thanks for your suggestions - has anyone done the coil-over shocks and noticed enough difference in the "ride" to justify the cost? Or should I just replace the shock as suggested?

OR

Does anyone have some coil overs left over from going to a larger lift or SAS for sale?

Again, thanks for the suggestions!

If you wheel your rig - then yes, IMO, Coilovers are worth the cost. Adjusted to 3" of lift, your ride quality will be about what it was stock, but you will GREATLY improve your up/down wheel travel. I'm not 100% sure on the SAW coilovers, but Donahoe Racing has a lifetime warranty in their coilovers. Last year I sent mine back to Donahoe, and had them COMPLETELY rebuilt - back to brand new condition for like $65 per c/o.

 

[bowyer2002]

SAR -
Thanks for the first hand advice. I know Donahoe has great products - I don't wheel, some trails, farm fields, camping, etc. But my truck is my DD so I cant abuse it too much.

 

[SAR_Squid79]

Yeah - if you don't really "wheel" your truck, and you just use it for camping, hunting, farming, etc - then getting expensive coilovers would be a waste of money for you. I'd say stick with the lift you have and just upgrade to those HD bilsteins I recommended a few posts up.

 

[SAR_Squid79]

..but in case you're interested:
Donahoe Coilovers For Sale - $750 Shipped - TTORA Forum

 

[Mars]

Yeah - if you don't really "wheel" your truck, and you just use it for camping, hunting, farming, etc - then getting expensive coilovers would be a waste of money for you. I'd say stick with the lift you have and just upgrade to those HD bilsteins I recommended a few posts up.

Good advice there. They are a fairly major upgrade, but you pay for it. Its not something that I think I'd get the money out of. I'd rather buy some good bilsteins or something comparable and still have left over cash for an ARB or something.

 

[bowyer2002]

I think I will heed your advice.

No coil overs (even for $750!) just upgrade the shocks & save the $$$ for a winch (already have the ARB, Mars).

BTW nice ROTM SAR_squid!

 

[MarcoPolo]

speaking of shocks...

Don't mean to side track the thread, but,
............When I stand on my 76'40 and jump up and down...my shocks essentially don't move..... ....It's rough going down the hyway..much the same on the trail.

Can't imagine this is desirable. The only thing I've done to underneath is changing out the stock shackles to Confer 1 1/2" larger. 15x33 Buckshots, underthar also.

Any suggestions on a better shock, or what is prefered by some of you?

Now...back to your regularly scheduled thread.............

 

[crawford67]

I just bought a 2000 Taco to use as a DD and get a little relief from my not so fuel efficient 76 FJ40. I need to replace the shocks and the HD Bilstiens seem to be the product of choice for most. The question I have is do I need a spring compressor to do the front shocks, since the shocks are inside the springs? Also are there any other special tools and equipment needed to do this job? Shocks are pretty simple but I have never done them on a Taco.

Thanks

 

[XT Toyota]

I pulled 140000 miles on my stock TRD Bilsteins before they got soft.

 

[Duane]

as someone said about the bounce test:
- replace if it oscillates much more than once after compressing the front suspension from leaning on or standing on the front.
- replace if both sides do not behave the same way from doing your compression/bounce test.
- replace if there are any physically indications of oil leakage or significant dents.
- replace/rebuild if your shocks are not performing as they are intended too. Progressive dampening rate etc... Think of a motocross shock where you can tune various characteristics..compression & rebound rates if applicable. I think few automotive shocks are adjustable though.
- coil overs.... make sure any shock has enough stroke length going both directions. No fun ripping shock mounts off or ripping brackets out of a frame rail.
I've seen guys add on those air bags or hard rubber overload bumpers which in my opinion are a second rate option to doing the proper thing with upgrading your springs to support the weight properly. I've seen frames twisted by these little gems in between leaf spring hangers. just my 2 cents

 

[Jetboy]

I think the type of driving has a lot to do with it too. The vast majority of my driving is highway time, so my shocks won't get nearly as much wear as one would have when I lived in Montana where at least half of my driving was on washboard gravel roads. That kind of pounding will wear down shocks a lot faster. I believe mine are original and are still quite firm after 180k miles. That's mostly street miles though.