How long did your factory suspension/shocks last on your GX470? (1 Viewer)

[pcruz1]

I went for an oil change today and my mechanic told me I have a leaky front driver shock. (Also my GX has 122k miles with original suspension). I found a guy on offerup that took off his factory bags, front coils with struts and rear shocks at 120k miles. He is only asking $180 for all of it so I figured it was a good deal.

Anyways what do you think about this? Should I buy his take offs? Also, how long did your suspension last?

 

[Sky Soldier]

Personally, I wouldn't buy a used suspension made from original factory parts. Just too much chance something will fail once you have them on your rig. Either run your parts as is or purchase new parts to update your rig.

 

[Dogtaxi]

Mine had almost brand new airbags on mine. They blew up within a few off-road trips.

 

[Mountaintrails]

Yours has 122 and the takeoffs are 120k. Not much of a upgrade. I guess you could keep the rig patched together. Mine had 160k and the suspension was still functioning. I say functioning but no shock/strut is made to go that long. Once I installed the OME complete suspension I saw that the suspension was not correctly functioning. The ride is so much better now.

 

[steveLX450]

I went for an oil change today and my mechanic told me I have a leaky front driver shock. (Also my GX has 122k miles with original suspension). I found a guy on offerup that took off his factory bags, front coils with struts and rear shocks at 120k miles. He is only asking $180 for all of it so I figured it was a good deal.

Anyways what do you think about this? Should I buy his take offs? Also, how long did your suspension last?

NO, buy new parts , why waste money on worn out parts !

 

[DaSkorpion]

2009 with 168K miles and just anxiously waiting for them shocks to go out so I can upgrade and do a 2.5" lift.

 

[SteveH]

My '06 with 170K feels great - no signs of shock absorber fatigue or leaks, and the 'soft' vs. 'sport' makes a noticeable difference.

 

[thundercatts]

Mine has 205k on original shocks (granted, original owner was a real estate agent who treated it kindly.) They're still OK.

I am going to put on some Taco TRD OR Bilsteins within the week. Picked them up used (all 4 shocks & springs) for $150 with 10k miles on them.

 

[z00t3ch]

This new adage that shocks/struts are still okay if they're not leaking is truly bizarre. I've replaced more struts than I care to remember and, at 100k miles, cars like my son's Neon and daughter's Solara gained 2" or more in height when they were replaced, and none were leaking, they're just plain wore the heck out. I'd say shocks are good for maybe 30-50k miles, unless they're particularly well made like Bilsteins. Struts last maybe 75k, but certainly MUST go by 100k. I paid $268 for a complete setup of Gabriel OEM style coilovers/shocks for a 2007 V8 4runner and put them on my GX and couldn't be happier. That was @ 101k miles and replaced the original which were well knackered.

 

[snagakski]

2004 w/ KDSS with original shocks and mines went out at 116k miles. Replaced it with Bilstein 5100 and leveled it out at the .85 setting. Drove so much better after the switch.

Future upgrades are to replace front and rear with 2" OME spring and coils.

 

[GldMembrGx]

131k on mine, more worried about airbags becoming unseated causing sag ass on a trail.

 

[SR.GRINGO]

201k all original. Drives fine.

 

[z00t3ch]

201k all original. Drives fine.

 

[bookworms]

This new adage that shocks/struts are still okay if they're not leaking is truly bizarre. I've replaced more struts than I care to remember and, at 100k miles, cars like my son's Neon and daughter's Solara gained 2" or more in height when they were replaced, and none were leaking, they're just plain wore the heck out. I'd say shocks are good for maybe 30-50k miles, unless they're particularly well made like Bilsteins. Struts last maybe 75k, but certainly MUST go by 100k. I paid $268 for a complete setup of Gabriel OEM style coilovers/shocks for a 2007 V8 4runner and put them on my GX and couldn't be happier. That was @ 101k miles and replaced the original which were well knackered.

I'm with you, I factor in a suspension overhaul when buying any used vehicle. It's one of the only things you'll spend money on and actually feel the difference.

 

[LCT]

Mine has 205k on original shocks (granted, original owner was a real estate agent who treated it kindly.) They're still OK.

I am going to put on some Taco TRD OR Bilsteins within the week. Picked them up used (all 4 shocks & springs) for $150 with 10k miles on them.

Do you know if the taco bilsteins fit an 04 GX? I have to exercise my suspension every few rides and it’s annoying. Thanks in advance!

 

[thundercatts]

Do you know if the taco bilsteins fit an 04 GX? I have to exercise my suspension every few rides and it’s annoying. Thanks in advance!

I upgraded my 2004 GX to 2020 Tacoma TRD OR Bilsteins last weekend. Front coils bolt right up, rear shocks just need a new eyelet bushing on the bottom of the strut: The part you need for the rear shocks is Energy Suspension 9.8108G 3/4" Hourglass Shock Eye Bushing - here's the link to them on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Suspension-9-8108G-Hourglass-Bushing/dp/B000CN9D4E

 

[LCT]

I upgraded my 2004 GX to 2020 Tacoma TRD OR Bilsteins last weekend. Front coils bolt right up, rear shocks just need a new eyelet bushing on the bottom of the strut: The part you need for the rear shocks is Energy Suspension 9.8108G 3/4" Hourglass Shock Eye Bushing - here's the link to them on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Suspension-9-8108G-Hourglass-Bushing/dp/B000CN9D4E

Thanks a bunch! Were you able to achieve any lift with them or were they pretty much stock height?

 

[thundercatts]

Thanks a bunch! Were you able to achieve any lift with them or were they pretty much stock height?

I don't know exactly, but my buddies swear it got about 2" of lift

 

[LCT]

I don't know exactly, but my buddies swear it got about 2" of lift

Would you mind measuring the height (front & rear) from ground to the bottom of the fender through the center of the wheel on a level ground? Stock height for front is 34” and for rear 35 3/8” on my truck.

 

[thundercatts]

Would you mind measuring the height (front & rear) from ground to the bottom of the fender through the center of the wheel on a level ground? Stock height for front is 34” and for rear 35 3/8” on my truck.

36 1/4 rear, and about 36" up front right now, but my driveway is slightly sloped to the rear.