ANY SUGGESTION ON REPLACING REAR SHOCKS ON A 2000 4 RUNNER? IS IT DIFFICULT? KYB? HELP
TIM

 

Replacing your rear shocks won't be easy as the top nuts are almost impossible to get at. Some have had luck with putting a large wrench on the shock body, flattening it for "grip" and sneaking a socket up to the nut and turning loose. Since I live where we see a lot of snow and salt, mine were rusted on, so I ended up cutting the shock rod right below the mount and getting them off that way. So, I didn't have to worry about the nuts at all. But, be careful not to cut too low or you'll take a shower in shock fluid!

As far as brands are concerned, you might want to do some searching to find out what would work best for your needs. KYB, Bilstein and OME are among the favored brands around here. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the info. I looked under there before and it looked like a bitch toget at, Might let my local guy do it. Thanks again.

 

oopsies

 

I got some barely used Bilsteins (30K miles on them) that would fit you and I will make you a screaming deal if interested.

Yeah I hear that top nut is a biatch.... I pay folks to cuss at my ride on things like that....

 

If you want a firmer ride, the bilsteins, kyb has adjustable shocks, and OEM is usually quite soft.

I've been happy with my OEM ones. I think I'd go monroe next time though(and there are several kinds of monroe shocks to choose from)

 

Just finished installing kyb's on my 97 4Runner ,,WOW! What an ordeal that was !!
To those that will do this themselves be prepaired to get dirty it was not a simple shock change ,The front was easy ,The back was not so much fun.Cutting off the old ones i used 3 cutting disks,what a wierd design !! There is a weep hole on the steel piece for the water to drain..These were clogged on both sides,grabed a handfull of dirt and stones,hit it with the air nozel.and made sure that hole was cleared of muck!!
So she wont rust even quicker then they already do!
It was all down hill after they were cut off!!

 

if u dont care about the old ones sawzall them off

 

You would have to have a pretty small sawzal!! lol
There was no way for me to get one in there !!

 

i know its old but anybody use the air ratchet? did it help?

 

I saw how old they were and did not even try !!
Broke out the cutoff wheel 1st thing!!
for sh=t's and giggles you can try ....

 

where exactly did you saw it at?

 

Right at the bushing at the top of the shock tower ....
I used a 3 inch cut off wheel,used 3 disks between the 2 back shocks ..
You cut on the top right under the frame where it mounts too.
It will smell a little when you hit the rubber bushing,be careful not to cut into the shock ,Or it will leak out on ya!!! Just real messy when you cut open the shock tube ,Once you cut the stud ,you can push it right out the top,i used a 1/4 in ratchet and a deep socket to install the new nuts,you can see it !!
You just have to visualize what you are doing ..
It Is not that hard to do !!
Just a bit=h to get the old ones off!!
Hope it helps you

 

i just spent 2 hours trying to get the old ones off my 97 4Runner. I went through two metal discs trying to cut it off. my wife thinks I am crazy... i will get back at it tomorrow morning and hopefully have my new ranchos on in no time... thanks to everyone for all the posts on here... this website has been a life saver for a lot of my problems

 

just takes time bro!!
why pay someone if you can do it yourself..
good for you..

 

thats how i feel about it. i am done paying mechanics half my paycheck to replace something i could have done for literally a fraction of the cost.

 

Is the top mount an eye, or a post.?

 

It is a post... on 96 and up

 

its a post...

 

Dang, now i can visualize the dilemma, my kids jeep wrangler was like that, you had to reinvent the wheel to get to the rear top shock mount