lesha30

Hey guys,

I've done a search, but came up with nothing. I'm thinking about replacing my shocks soon, but I don't wanna pay $100 & up for the labor, when I can try to do it myself. Is there a write-up on how to replace the shocks???
Or better yet, is there anybody in SoCal who has a garage and is willing to help me install them? (I'm buying the beer!!!)

Thanx!!!


P.S. I have '91 4Runner V6 2WD

Churnd

It's incredibly easy. In the front, you just take the bottom bolt out and the top nut off the shock and slide it out. For the new shock, you might have to open up the bottom mounting tabs a little to squeeze it in (that can be done with a prybar or a big screwdriver). In the rear, you just remove whatever bolts there are and pull it out. Make sure that whatever side you're working on, that side of the truck is elevated off the ground. Do the front first, then the rear, elevating one at a time to get full extension of the shock.

lesha30

Does it make any difference if I put front left shock on the right side, etc.?? Are there any special tricks I should know before I'll attempt to replace the shocks?

Highland Runner

Replacing your shocks is one the easiest things you can do as long as there is no rust. I just changed mine and did a little write up https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...RO+COMP+SHOCKS .
Like I said in that post I went out at lunch just to make sure the bolts were loose to change when I got home. I ended up doing all 4 shocks in a little over an hour by myself. The only real tricks is to have a strap wrench and put PB Blaster on the nuts for a couple days before you start. Remove the spare tire to get to the top shock nuts in the rear. Keep it off during those few days to spray the PB Blaster. It has to be off to replace the shocks anyway. Just throw it on the roof or in the back.

OneTrickToy

Not true. No need to elevate the truck at all. Just take the replacement shock and extend or compress it to the length needed for the install.

Highland Runner

This is true. I just tightened the tops in and let the bottoms hang down. Then lay right under the shocks and press up. When the shocks are about 2" above where the holes line up let go. As the shock slowly extends push the bottom bolts through (front) or slide bottom eye onto pin (rear). This is very easy.

KING

I agree, it's incredibly easy.

I changed my dad's shocks (all 4) on his F-350 in like thirty minutes, no kidding. The front ones took me like five minutes.

I helped my buddy change his shocks on his '86 TOYOTA. Took us an hour to do all four.

What are you using as a replacement?

I'll be getting some shocks pretty soon, however, I'm not too sure if to go with BILSTEINS or RANCHOS 9000.

Plays_with_Toys

Just don't get the Rancho 5000's, very uncomfortable ride, my p/u atleast.

One tip is if you take the top nut off one of the front shocks, then jack the front up, the shock will slide out easier because it will still be compressed.

I also agree, very easy to do, my first mod when I was 16.

KING

I'm surprised to hear this.

These are the shocks that my buddy put in his P/U.

I never got hear the outcome however, since he never called me after I helped him change them...

Plays_with_Toys

They are no better than the blown shocks they replaced. Though I suspect more and more the previous owner cranked the T-bars, cuz of how high it sits, which may be the reasoning behind the rough ride, but the rear is really stiff too.

OneTrickToy

My rancho 5000's are fine. T-Bars definately play a part.

lesha30

I've decided to go with stock toyota shocks, cuz my lower back can't take the stiff shocks any more, and my wallet can't handle anything too expensive.

Bobful

Hi guys,

This is a great thread and I might try and replace my own shocks. Just a few questions though.

My 93 4wd 22RE Pickup is sagging in the rear. What would be the best course of action? Should I start first with shocks? It seems most guys are recommending gas shocks of some kind. Or should I replace the spring stack? It seems to hold weight okay, but not a lot of weight.

Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Robert

KING

A popular move done here by a lot of the 2ND GEN YOTA folks is to go with DOWNEY's HD REAR COILS which can be seen here:

http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...ents/index.htm

You have the option of the 2" coils, or the HD 1 1/2 coil (most folks go with this option).

Or you can always replace your leaf springs with a replacement brand which DOWNEY offers as well, seen here:

http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...ents/index.htm

I haven't seen or do recall many folks do this here, but this is another available option to enhance your load capability, in addition to create a greater vehicle posture.

There is the 2" and 3" as seen in the web page.

Those are a few of which I know to get rid of the sag in your rear end along with enhacing your load capability.

Yoter

Hey, in late 2001 I got my rig lifted and Les Schwabs put there brand shocks on my toy. Not even sure what brand they really are being there is no label. I have a four inch susp lift & three inch body lift. What would the ideal shocks be for my set up?

Blue

Robinhood150

King, he has a pickup...LEAF springs!
Bobful, shocks do nothing for lift. All they do is dampen oscillation.

BBB, I like my rancho 9000s. Rancho has a really good pdf file that shows the specs of each shock. Check off-road.com for geiger's suggestion on which shocks to use.

Plays_with_Toys

You also have a shell. I suspect that helps out quite a bit, I know if I have 200-300 pounds in back that the ride is way smoother.

lesha30

I looked under my rig today and I think it's going to be difficult to rich the shocks. I'll probably have to lift it to get under it...