Bilsteins for the 200 installed-adjustable height
Ok, I've finally had enough and I ordered the Bilstein 4600s for the 200. I'll install and post a review.
I think I'm the first to install.
Here's a pic of the stock rear Shock
Support the axle from below with an axle jack.
The top of the shock is MUCH easier to get to than the 100. Slide a wrench through the gap in the wheel wheel and then grab the top of the shock body with Channel locks
Remove the bottom bolt and remove the stock shock.
Install in reverse, the only difference being that the bilsteins have an allen wrench in the top of the shock so that you can tighten the top bolt. I found in easiest the slide the wrench through the slot shown above and reach around and under with the allen wrench.
REAR DONE- Left side 40 minutes, right side 10 minutes!!
Start the front by removing supporting both sides under the A arms. I did both side simultaneously.
Remove the large bolt at the bottom.
Remove the 4 nuts at the top.
Driver's side (Left) is a PIA. You have to remove the little bracket to access the 4th nut. Inner front nut. Notice too how its the only rusty one. Water must pool in there.
I removed the end links from the roll bars on both sides. Sorry No picture. Toyota directs said to unbolt them at the roll bar supports to. I didnt because I couldn't understand why. I also disconnected steering arms for more room.
You have to wrestle the old ones out with a crow bar on the lower a-arm.
NOW THE COOLEST PART- a pleasant surprise. The bilsteins are equipped with three choices for height. I had not idea. Thought they were fixed. There is no indication on the website as to this. I went with the hightest setting and gained an inch of front height. Just enough.
Reverse the procedure and install
Am I missing a splash guard HERE? I didnt remove anything.
I placed the truck on the ground and reconnected the swaybar links. Front 2.5 hours total.
Since I wasn't aware the the shocks were going to be adjustable I did not take preinstall measurements. But I now have 36 from ground to fender lip.
Here are a few pics. I think the stance is a little better.
I am also running 275/65/18 Michelin LTX MS2s
Original
The ride is MUCH better. Much more damped and controlled the way the truck should have been from the factory.
I have the stock shocks with just 30K on them is someone wants to give me anything for them.
Ok, I've finally had enough and I ordered the Bilstein 4600s for the 200. I'll install and post a review.
I think I'm the first to install.
Here's a pic of the stock rear Shock
Support the axle from below with an axle jack.
The top of the shock is MUCH easier to get to than the 100. Slide a wrench through the gap in the wheel wheel and then grab the top of the shock body with Channel locks
Remove the bottom bolt and remove the stock shock.
Install in reverse, the only difference being that the bilsteins have an allen wrench in the top of the shock so that you can tighten the top bolt. I found in easiest the slide the wrench through the slot shown above and reach around and under with the allen wrench.
REAR DONE- Left side 40 minutes, right side 10 minutes!!
Start the front by removing supporting both sides under the A arms. I did both side simultaneously.
Remove the large bolt at the bottom.
Remove the 4 nuts at the top.
Driver's side (Left) is a PIA. You have to remove the little bracket to access the 4th nut. Inner front nut. Notice too how its the only rusty one. Water must pool in there.
I removed the end links from the roll bars on both sides. Sorry No picture. Toyota directs said to unbolt them at the roll bar supports to. I didnt because I couldn't understand why. I also disconnected steering arms for more room.
You have to wrestle the old ones out with a crow bar on the lower a-arm.
NOW THE COOLEST PART- a pleasant surprise. The bilsteins are equipped with three choices for height. I had not idea. Thought they were fixed. There is no indication on the website as to this. I went with the hightest setting and gained an inch of front height. Just enough.
Reverse the procedure and install
Am I missing a splash guard HERE? I didnt remove anything.
I placed the truck on the ground and reconnected the swaybar links. Front 2.5 hours total.
Since I wasn't aware the the shocks were going to be adjustable I did not take preinstall measurements. But I now have 36 from ground to fender lip.
Here are a few pics. I think the stance is a little better.
I am also running 275/65/18 Michelin LTX MS2s
Original
The ride is MUCH better. Much more damped and controlled the way the truck should have been from the factory.
I have the stock shocks with just 30K on them is someone wants to give me anything for them.
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