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First attempt at shock replacement

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Old 11-29-2018, 04:22 PM
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First attempt at shock replacement

My 1988 4Runner SR5 4x4 is in dire need of new shocks. It currently has a 2-3” lift (not sure exactly) and SkyJacker shocks.

First, what are your recommendations for replacement shocks? Are SkyJackers pretty decent? They are affordable.

Second is there a write up or video on this job? I’ve found some on YouTube but nothing specific for a first gen runner.

Lastly are there any things I should know going into this job? Seems fairly straightforward but I’m sure there are some pain points.

thanks everyone
Old 11-29-2018, 05:56 PM
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Straightforward and easy, but need to see what your travel is at full articulation then pick shocks for that. Otherwise, shocks will limit your travel and will be stressed. My inexpensive Gabriels have taken my truck to many places while some with fancy shocks stayed at the mall.
Old 12-01-2018, 08:05 AM
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Crawl underneath and look at how they connect, it's a bolt on bottom and another bolt or nut on top. Spray pb blaster or similar on all the hardware a couple days before you try to remove them.

Replace the steering stabilizer while you're at it if it looks old.

I used Monroe and KYB with no problems on my stock rig. Just make sure they're a couple inches longer than stock to allow full range of movement with your 2" lift (the product specs will tell you) and you should be good to go.
Old 12-08-2018, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by gsp4life
Crawl underneath and look at how they connect, it's a bolt on bottom and another bolt or nut on top. Spray pb blaster or similar on all the hardware a couple days before you try to remove them.

Replace the steering stabilizer while you're at it if it looks old.

I used Monroe and KYB with no problems on my stock rig. Just make sure they're a couple inches longer than stock to allow full range of movement with your 2" lift (the product specs will tell you) and you should be good to go.
thanks for the advice. I’ll probably do the steering stabilizer too, are there any guides for doing this on a first gen 4Runner?
Old 12-08-2018, 06:28 PM
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There's tutorials for stuff like this on YouTube, I learned just about everything I know about wrenching on there and yotatech. The vehicle specifics hardly matter on this type of job, you could search how to replace shocks (or steering stabilizer) on a Jeep cause it's a nearly identical job. I really is as simple as popping a couple peices of hardware loose and replacing with new parts in the same order.
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