What are realistic drop in coil spring replacement options for an 04 DC 4x4?

Greetings,
I took my truck in for an alignment, and my caster was pretty far out of spec, and I was told my suspension is wearing out (mostly on the front driver's corner), so I guess It's time to drop some paper on new suspension.

What are some good choices/realistic options for coilovers on first gens?
I've seen people say Bilstein 5100s a lot, along with the Toytec Boss coilovers, but I'm curious about alternatives.

I'd like to move to a LT kit, but I don't exactly have 5 big ones sitting around right now.

Thanks,
Jeremy.

 

@Professional Hand Model

@Mike

 

There are quite a few options for suspension but if your overall goal is LT in the future, I would get a set of 2.5 coilovers now in anticipation for future setup. Then when you're ready to get the LT kit, you're not buying everything at once.

Below are the options I am aware of:

• Bilstein 5100s
• Bilstein 6112/5160s
• Old Man Emu
• Icon
• Fox
• King
• Toyotec
• Dobinsons springs (usually on 5100 shocks)
• ADS
• Rancho

I went OME and so far happy with the setup. I went with a heavier spring for the steel bumper, future winch, and plates but right now I am definitely sitting about 1" higher at the front (lifted me 4" in the front). I came from KYB shocks (not sure how long they were on) with a spacer lift and the ride quality is significantly improved. I originally intended on coilovers but after more consideration, I realized I am never going to adjust them from the time they are set and I don't know enough about suspension to fine-tune them. Didn't hurt that I was able to purchase my OME setup for almost half the cost of the front coilovers on black friday.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the brands listed just depends on your goals and how much you want to spend.

 

Stock replacement? Get some Monroe quick struts, maybe $200 for a complete shock/spring/mount.

Next would be 5100s or Eibach leveling $250ish for the shocks, add another $75ish for new top mounts, and whatever time for moving the springs over.

After that you'd be into complete coilover territory and the only limit is what you want to spend.

 

You've got 210K miles, right? It's likely you need to do significantly more than new shocks (possibilities are LBJ, LCA (maybe UCA) or LCA bushings, tie-rods (inner/outer) . cam bolts etc etc). First, you need to figure out what all needs replacing besides your shocks, decide on a budget and then go from there...like others have posted, plenty of good options for shocks once you know what you want to spend...

 

Coil overs are adjustable, struts are fixed.

 

If you are going LT (really going, not daydreaming) then get something very budget friendly for now because it won't be transferable to a long travel setup.

If you're not going to go LT then decide what you really need, and don't buy Fox.

 

5100's are nice but they don't come assembled, some of the nicer shocks do. I would compare the cost of install vs popping in a preassembled nicer coilover yourself.

 

As far as bang for your buck, these 2 options are excellent:

 

Yes also he asked for coil overs and 5100 isnt acoilover. The 6100 is the bilstein coilover for our trucks. I love mine.

 

@scooterprint could you take some good pics of your suspension and share? Be sure to get pics of where the shock joins the lower arms, might help us see what you're working

 

Definitely a good thing to consider! Some places will offer assembly for a small fee.

 

Update: I just picked up a set of Rancho Quicklift front lift struts for $389.xx from Autozone. The price was too good to pass up. Worst-case scenario I don't like them and replace them with a better setup later.

Thanks for all the input guys.

 

I have the Quicklifts, too, and I think they are just really pretty good for the price. I don't do any hardcore offroading and they feel great in everyday driving. I have mine set at 7 or 8 I think (but i have the heaviest beast in the DC 4x4).

The only time I felt they could be better was when I hit some washboard at 30 mph or so. I felt like at the settings I was running the nose dived like they couldn't rebound fast enough. I don't know if that's normal for all shocks (I hardly ever have to deal with washboard), or if running them softer would remedy the diving and darting I had. But in virtually every other situation they've been great.

 

We'll see how she goes. My local mechanic is going to install them for $100 out the door.

 

Update: Quick lifts are in. Gained about 3 inches over the worn out stockers. It’s about 1/3-1/2 an inch higher in the front. Hopefully it settles a bit and brings it to a near perfect level.

lifted:


Worn out stock:

(sorry, bad photo. It’s all I had.)

 

Looks great!

 

Looks Great! My Brother's Tundra has the Rancho Quick lifts and I thought they were too soft for my taste. What are your thoughts on the ride quality?

 

So far it’s just been driven on the pavement and a fairly smooth gravel road.
They’re set on the middle stiffness setting.
I really don’t notice much difference from the old ones, meaning they’re a little soft. I may turn them up a click or two and see if it stiffens them up a little.

 

bought some Monroe quick struts for my 04 DC, good price but i’m hoping i don’t regret not going with a bigger name brand. have you used the monroe struts or were you just recommending? how did you find them?

 

Wish you'd have checked in with us first, Monroe is universally know as one of the shittiest possible struts you can buy for these trucks.

 

well i'm here now, they aren't installed so i'm sure i can return to partsavatar. im in canada. is there another affordable oem like strut assembly i should go with? i dont love how the bilsteins dont come with springs etc. i need to replace springs for a safety inspection. I'm also just looking to get past this inspection so maybe they will be fine for a couple years of street driving? or do you think even at that, it's not worth installing them? if i went with rancho quickstruts it's $700CAD pair vs $375CAD for the monroe pair, not an insignificant price increase

 

Rancho is shit. Don't do it. The lower shock bushings blow out. I can show you pics, it happens a LOT with these trucks.

Is there any reason you need them pre-loaded? A lot of shops will load them up for as little as $50/ea.

You can get new shocks all the way around in bilstein 4600s (which is nearly identical to the TRD upgraded shocks) for around $375 USD: https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...em-shocks-set-2000-2006-toyota-tundra-2wd-4wd

Or on scAmazon if it's cheaper/easier from the great north:

$337 Bilstein 4600 Monotube Gas OEM Shocks Set for 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra 2WD 4WD

https://www.amazon.com/Bilstein-4600-Monotube-Gas-Shocks/dp/B01DEAMHRQ

You can get new 4600s pre-loaded with OEM equivalent springs and ready to bolt-in, I know SuspensionLifts.com sells them but they appear to be on backorder.

If you can get pre-assembled KYB, do it. That's what my '06 came with from the factory. Major complaint from most people who've done the Monroe quickstruts is they're floaty/loose/like sloshing around on a cloud.

 

Long and short:

• Avoid Monroe, too floaty/loose, tons of complaints about them on here, lots of people bitch and complain about how horrible they feel on these trucks.
• Avoid Rancho, they didn't factor in for the extreme load on the LCA of the suspension config of these trucks, and the lower bushing is known to blow out within a year or two, we have lots of photos from member trucks of this.
• With either, you will be replacing less than 2-5 years down the road.

If you want as close to OEM ride as possible, Bilstein 4600 is the way to go. Next-best alternative would be whatever mid-grade model KYB sells. Trying to find them pre-loaded may be a challenge, though, so ... I wouldn't die on that hill, honestly.

 

I guess i figured with the full assembly maybe there would be some cost savings? lol, maybe not. that and the fact i'm quite new to this so not having to also look for springs was one less thing to look for. if i go with the full 4600 set up ($900CAD on scamazon.ca BTW), the only other thing i need to purchase is springs? what is a good brand for oem like springs?

 

You can transfer your OEM springs over to the new strut, or find a shop that'll let you bring your struts into the shop to swap the springs over.

Weird thing about savings ... If you buy the Rancho shocks, the lower bushing blows out, and you're buying another pair in 24-36 months, how is that a savings when the 4600s should last another 10-15 years?

With Monroe, the major issue is bad ride quality, if you hate driving your truck and you want to replace them a year from now because they feel like crap ...

I dunno, I'm a fan of buy once, cry once.

 

definitely, i hear you on buy once, cry once. my mechanic says the spring is broken so needs to be replaced. do you know a good replacement spring? also, really appreciate the help! tysm!

 

If that's the only problem, then just replace the spring!

Courtesy of @assassin10000

EDIT: Note, "L" is driver, "R" is passenger. You should replace these in pairs, though! Else your truck won't sit level.

OEM Part #'s
Tundra AC springs:
48131-AF170 = 340.0 2wd
48131-AF430 = 339.5 2wd
48131-AF470 = 333.0 2wd
48131-AF180 = 344.0 2wd
48131-AF440 = 343.5 2wd
48131-AF480 = 336.5 2wd

48131-AF410 = 358.5 4wd
48131-AF510 = 351.5 4wd
48131-AF420 = 363.5 4wd
48131-AF520 = 356.5 4wd

Tundra DC spring
48131-AF250 = 344.5 2wd
48131-AF290 = 352 2wd
48131-AF260 = 348 2wd
48131-AF300 = 355.5 2wd

48131-AF270 = 356.0 4wd
48131-AF310 = 363.5 4wd R (off road pkg)
48131-AF280 = 360.5 4wd
48131-AF320 = 369.0 4wd L (off road pkg)​

 

oh gosh sorry for the newb Qs, what do the numbers mean in front of the 2wd/4wd 369.0, etc?

also just for one of these is $350cad from dealership!

 

I'm assuming that's the coil height in millimeters.