assessing spring health

[ripvanmd]

I have an 01 with 227k with what I think to be the original suspension. Ride is a little bouncy at this point and I think my next expenditure will be suspension related.

It’s most going to do road duty with some fire roads. Tempted to go oem toyota for shocks but what is the best way to determine need of new springs? Oem toyota springs seem pricey! Thanks!

 

[Ohthetrees]

I would replace with OEM Toyota. They are a great deal, I think you can find them for around $45. Perfectly adequate for road plus fire Road use. Perhaps not up to hours of washboard. If I were you I would just replace the shocks and see what you think. You don’t have to touch the springs in order to replace the shocks, so it’s not like you would be repeating saving much work doing them together .

 

[Spike555]

Unless the springs are broken or you're bottoming over bumps after replacing the shocks I'd leave the springs alone.

Unless it's fully loaded 24/7 the springs will not loose their strength.

 

[YardPig]

Unless the springs are broken...the springs will not loose their strength.

I don't want to get too technical, but that statement is incorrect. Spring steel loses it's tensile strength and then it fatigues. Like any metal that cycles, it has a life span. Usually the spring will sag before it breaks, but a lot of the time it will just feel soggy.

Spring durability and spring fatigue are of great interest for springs

Old Man Emu makes a stock height spring if your not interested in lifting. The 860 lift coil rides like a factory spring IMO.

 

[Ohthetrees]

Nonetheless, I would change shocks first, and see what you think of the ride. It isn’t any easier to do the springs at the same time, so might as well wait, and if you’re happy with the ride save yourself the money.

 

[YardPig]

Nonetheless, I would change shocks first, and see what you think of the ride. It isn’t any easier to do the springs at the same time, so might as well wait, and if you’re happy with the ride save yourself the money.

Totally agree, hard to beat the OEM shock for cost and ride quality, I run them on a maxed out lift, retains factory ride quality.

 

[bucfl]

Mine springs had similar mileage and were hitting bump stops. I replaced with OME 2865 which are medium duty and have been very happy. Rides great with an extra 200lbs. They don’t sag or hit bump stops anymore.

OEM shocks at some point. I also picked up air bags from a member that need installation. I tow a small pop up and want little support in rear when loaded on trips.

Spring swap is easy. Check my thread.

 

[ripvanmd]

Thanks for all the input. I will look into the oems and see how that changes the ride!