i am super annoyed with it... and i was told that the ranchos i bought were gas shocks and they are not... anyone have monroe sensa tracs???

 

I am tired of Rancho, there shocks rust ASAP.

 

same with trailmaster ..
I used kyb on the 4 runner..
they are alright but not the best!!
i was running on my pick the ss trailmaster... They were a great shock,took along time to rust out,

 

mm took boots of my front n dang,,,, had to sand m, was gonna paint m but the dampins gone, gettin something new.. dang rust

 

oops.......

 

thanks for the heads up with the rust on the ranchos.... i am taking them back for sure today.

 

Since a lot of people on this thread seem to know what they're doing, can one of you post a step by step for replacing both front & rear struts? I can't find anything complete and I'm struggling right now with my 2000 4runner.

 

Put this in to google you will get lots of information including brands and part numbers. Also some 20min videos to watch on YouTube.
front and rear strut replacement 2000 4runner

The main thing I found with some quick reading is that the drivers side rear is done blind. (Sucks). You will probably want to rent a spring compressor or drive down to the local shop and have them do it for you. And take your time. Don't be in a hurry.

 

I am not looking for parts/brands, already have the shocks. Just need the How To now, and the videos online I've found aren't very detailed on how they replace them. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

Try this looks like you an download the FSM. That's what the pros use for a step by step
Put this in google
2000.toyota 4runner strut replacement factory service manual

 

2000 4 has struts? / guess it does, sorry.

 

Ok; so while we are on the subject of rear shocks................

Is there a really good brand that can take the heat and abuse of NY roads without having a failure rate measured in months?

I blow Rancho's out like pits in olives, just popped a pair of Procomps, and have a set of Bilstiens installed. I have little faith they will last a year or more. The heat build-up from the heavy springs and bad roads is what seems to be the big killer. I'm adding a raised shock bar, and putting in Susuki lower mounts to accomodate a more durable unit.

I'm thinking a reservoir style or tunable & fixable unit.

 

Skypilot. That's nuts. I can see the ranchos and procomps blowing. But if the B's go. Somebody need to tell Toyota they have a new test track

 

You can find a video on any thing on YouTube.




There are some better videos for the 2000 Tacoma.


I was looking at a couple of videos last night for my 2000 Tacoma and the takeaway was it gives you more room to take off the wheel and spare tire. The Bilsteins for Tacoma fit the 3rd gen 4Runner. I just got these. I'll probably pay someone to put the fronts on with new coils:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bilstein-RCD-5100-Series-Height-Adjustable-Shocks-for-Toyota-Tacoma-1996-2004-/301529849221?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4634945d85

 

There is a lot of info out there. But here are a few tips and tricks I learned from others while changing mine.

PB blaster on existing nuts and bolts will help a lot

Fronts are going to be the same as a tacoma.

- You will need to rent a strut compressor to compress the coil.
- when re installing the strut and coil assembly, you can use your bottle jack turned upside down to push down the upper control arm to line up the bottom bolt on the coil assembly with the lower control arm mount.

Rear shocks are DIFFERENT than a tacoma

- shocks are post/bayonet style at the top, bolt eye on bottom. Tacoma are bolt eyes on top and bottom.
- to loosen the shock nut at the top, use a box wrench above the shock hat. Place the closed end over the nut. Twist the upper portion of the shock until the box wrench is lodged against vehicle frame. Keep twisting the shock body until the nut comes off.