Hi folks: Long time lurker, first time poster.

My '99 x-cab, V6/auto/4wd is knocking on the door of the 100k miler club. It's time for shocks, especially the rears. I took it to Sears and got a quote for 4 Monroe Sensitracs (sound like a razor, eh?).

The truck has the TRD Off-road package, but the only 2 times it's been off road has been when my wife slid off the road in the winter. I asked for a highway shock, as opposed to an off-road shock for that reason.

Sears guy #1 gave me a written quote, but upon closer inspection, the part numbers he listed for the front had a footnote that said they were not for off-road or prerunner packages.

So, I went back and Sears guy #2 spent some time in the catalog (as opposed to the computer database). He informed me that I had front struts, not shocks and, of course, those are $100 more, plus an alignment is necessary after re-installing struts.

I went out and looked and what I see is a yellow shock inside a coil spring.

There are things I know about and things I don't. Shocks and struts are not on my "know about" list.

I'm also wondering if I can get away with replacing just the rears and not fooling with the fronts right now. The rears are really shot (I have an above the cab fiberglass topper and hauled some pretty heavy loads when the truck was newer). The fronts haven't given me any indication that are as
t!ts-up as the rears.

Your info and suggestions are appreciated.

TIA,

Goldnrod

 

You have a coilover shock (strut). A bit more involved to replace the front which in turn means more in labor. I would replace all four if I were you and forget the Sears shocks and get Bilstien all the way around. They have a nice road ride and really good for off-roading if the need should arise.

 

Yeah, get the Bilsteins and forget about your troubles for at least another 100k miles. I have almost the rig as yours sans the TRD package and 4wd. If you like your stock ride stay with the shocks that were on your rig when you got them... I assume they were Bils, nice ride, great quality and you also have a lifetime guarantee.

 

You wont need a alignment after replacing the front shocks because you never touch the alignment cams. the guy at sears was refering to a front wheel drive car strut, where the strut replaces the upper control arm, you would need to do a alignment on those though.

 

Doesnt the TRD package come with Bils?

 

Yes, but I hear they're different from the aftermarket bils.

 

Exactly! TRD suspension is junk IMO.

 

If replacing the struts alters the ride height as compared to the last time he got an alignment, wouldn't it be necessary to get one again. For example, if the strut is slight longer or shorter than the Bils?