New shocks if the springs are flat? (opinions wanted)

[fj60dave]

looks like the shocks (front & rear) may need to be replaced, but with the springs flat, didn't want to replace them if it wouldn't make a noticable difference. has anyone been in a similar circumstance that can advise?

1987 model year fj60 (manufactured Sept 1986). Thx!

(new springs are not on my list now...too many other things to do around the house)

 

[Zack1978]

looks like the shocks (front & rear) may need to be replaced, but with the springs flat, didn't want to replace them if it wouldn't make a noticable difference. has anyone been in a similar circumstance that can advise?

1987 model year fj60 (manufactured Sept 1986). Thx!

(new springs are not on my list now...too many other things to do around the house)

For a stock truck you can't beat the price and quality of stock OEM shocks from the dealer, I think they are about $20.00 a piece. With that said, if your stock springs are flat I don't think you will notice much of a difference at all. I know that I didn't notice anything when my shocks were changed, due to the fact that the springs are shot.

Zack

 

[Michael Hanson]

I put on the Toyotas,it was cheap and I noticed alot of improvement. The 40 with ome,s was much improved also. Mike

 

[brian]

1987 model year fj60 (manufactured Sept 1986). Thx!

as a total side track......
wow i thought my oct '86 truck was early.

 

[Kynot62]

If the springs are worn out, it probably won't make a difference. If you end up adding some lift with new springs someday you might have to buy another set of longer shocks. Wait until you replace the springs.

 

[Joe_E]

as a total side track......
wow i thought my oct '86 truck was early.

X2

 

[ad20k]

Shocks in good working condition would make the best use of what little suspension travel you have. When I replaced shocks and springs on my 62, I was impressed by how blown out my shocks were (Original Toyotas w 220k miles). They were easily extended and compressed with almost no resistance. I would have to believe replacing the shocks alone would have made a difference.

If you are looking to scrimp coin, you might consider pulling the existing shocks and compress /extend them by hand to see how bad they are. That might guide your decision.

 

[kevin in okinawa]

Shocks in good working condition would make the best use of what little suspension travel you have. When I replaced shocks and springs on my 62, I was impressed by how blown out my shocks were (Original Toyotas w 220k miles). They were easily extended and compressed with almost no resistance. I would have to believe replacing the shocks alone would have made a difference.

If you are looking to scrimp coin, you might consider pulling the existing shocks and compress /extend them by hand to see how bad they are. That might guide your decision.

hijack in progress:

i see that you have parabolics. how long have they been on the truck, and do you like them? difference between reg springs?

 

[fj60dave]

hmmm, very good comments and goes along with the debate that i have been having with myself...and, yes...these are the original 247K/22-yrs old original shocks. is that shocking? (pun intended)

i will probably pull one and test - knowing that if it is good, getting it back on...

anyway, testing by a good shove on the bumper they seem fine. and, i don't see any leaks...which could have been so many years ago that i missed it...

keep em coming - good experiences to learn from!

 

[MountainCruiser62]

replacing 20 year old shocks will help significantly, i replaced mine with the base model bilstien gas shocks while running stock springs and the difference was night and day

 

[ad20k]

...anyway, testing by a good shove on the bumper they seem fine. and, i don't see any leaks...which could have been so many years ago that i missed it...

I jumped up and down on my bumpers before I replaced my shocks and they seemed to damp OK, but were found to be in bad shape once removed from the truck. I guess that there is a difference between my 200lb of love bouncing on the bumpers and the weight of these beasts. ;p

hijack in progress:

i see that you have parabolics. how long have they been on the truck, and do you like them? difference between reg springs?

I have been very happy with them so far. I post an update on the parabolics thread soon.