2000 LC Suspension Refresh

[LaTuFu]

Our 2000 LC just recently passed the 300k mark. I've known for a while the suspension was due for some work.

This truck will be seeing mostly pavement duty for the foreseeable future. It's off-road duties will be dirt trails and pastures back to my hunting stands. That's about it. No need for a robust off-road setup for this quite yet.

After researching this forum about the various suspension options, it looks to me like the best choice for our needs will be to use OEM shocks and maybe OME medium duty 1.5" springs. Otherwise, OEM springs as well.

One thing I would like to know is, do I have to replace all of the control arms, or can I just replace their bushings? I'm looking at a variety of Toyota OEM parts suppliers, and I only see the entire arm as a replacement. Or is this step even necessary? When I add up the parts just to refresh the rear suspension it gets upwards of $2k in parts very quickly.

I'd like to just replace the shocks and springs, and their related bushings/washers. Is that all I really need to do for this project?

On the front end, my plan is to replace the shocks with OEM, and replace the control arm bushings and sway bar bushings. Anything else that I should consider doing while I'm at it?

The front bearings were replaced at 260k miles. The CV Boots are in good shape and not torn, axles seem to be in good shape.

And if I missed a write-up thread in my search, let me know.

 

[Jackland]

Our 2000 LC just recently passed the 300k mark. I've known for a while the suspension was due for some work.

This truck will be seeing mostly pavement duty for the foreseeable future. It's off-road duties will be dirt trails and pastures back to my hunting stands. That's about it. No need for a robust off-road setup for this quite yet.

After researching this forum about the various suspension options, it looks to me like the best choice for our needs will be to use OEM shocks and maybe OME medium duty 1.5" springs. Otherwise, OEM springs as well.

One thing I would like to know is, do I have to replace all of the control arms, or can I just replace their bushings? I'm looking at a variety of Toyota OEM parts suppliers, and I only see the entire arm as a replacement. Or is this step even necessary? When I add up the parts just to refresh the rear suspension it gets upwards of $2k in parts very quickly.

I'd like to just replace the shocks and springs, and their related bushings/washers. Is that all I really need to do for this project?

On the front end, my plan is to replace the shocks with OEM, and replace the control arm bushings and sway bar bushings. Anything else that I should consider doing while I'm at it?

The front bearings were replaced at 260k miles. The CV Boots are in good shape and not torn, axles seem to be in good shape.

And if I missed a write-up thread in my search, let me know.

I'm very interested to see what others say on this, I've also been researching suspension options and yea, the $ gets up there very quickly.

 

[dan83]

My 99 has 270k. I just replaced the front shocks with OEM and also replaced the sway bar links/cusions and bushings. It made a world of difference. It was around 200 bucks for all of that and maybe 2-3 hours of work.

 

[Vermont]

My 99 has 270k. I just replaced the front shocks with OEM and also replaced the sway bar links/cusions and bushings. It made a world of difference. It was around 200 bucks for all of that and maybe 2-3 hours of work.

^ Agree. When I put in 865's, I replaced front and rear shocks with OEM, and front and rear sway bar bushings and end links (complete with bushings and isolators). Did a TON to restore the smoothness of the ride. I do plan to slowly replace other bushings in the future - they don't last forever.

Bottom line: The more bushings and insulators you replace, the closer you will get it to the "factory feel" these things had when they were new. But, just know that there are decreasing gains the deeper you get into the weeds with it. If $400 gets you back to 90% of the factory ride, it doesn't mean that $800 will get you to 180%... Start with the no brainers (shocks, rear springs, sway components), and see how it feels. Replace other components as necessary from there.

 

[LaTuFu]

Start with the no brainers (shocks, rear springs, sway components), and see how it feels. Replace other components as necessary from there.

This pretty much sums up what I was starting to think, after adding up the bill for "everything." I agree with you about the diminishing returns aspect. That is certainly something to bear in mind for a third vehicle. Thank you!

 

[firewood]

^ Agree. When I put in 865's, I replaced front and rear shocks with OEM, and front and rear sway bar bushings and end links (complete with bushings and isolators). Did a TON to restore the smoothness of the ride.

Same, and same. Just did inner & outer tie rod ends and it made a huge difference (2000LC 209k).

And caught a CEL code two days later! Probably O2 sensor, just going to go on and replace them all.