Front end suspension kit?

(on a budget)
So I have to rebuild my whole front end on my tundra meaning shocks, upper/lower control arms, sway bar links, tie rod ends, upper/lower ball joints. I found a kit on RockAuto by MEVOTECH that would have everything except for the shocks which I would get some regular bilsteins or something for front and back. (open to suggestions, want stock look, no raising or lowering, not looking for performance, just comfort)
Also found a kit on RockAuto for some shocks, let me know if they are any good.
The thing is, I dont know anything about MEVOTECH and I’ve heard I should be cautious of low quality ball joints.
Please let me know what I should do.

 

General consensus here is that you should pass on that kit, Mevotech ain't what she used to be, etc. Read this OEM v. non-OEM stuff thread, I think most (if not all) of the front suspension components are strongly in the stick-with-OEM column.

You should also check out the "So...you want to buy/just bought a..." stickied thread at the top of the forum. Lots of good intel there. EDIT: Link to that thread here.

 

I think most of us would advise you against Mevotech, attractive as it may seem. Buy OEM lower ball joints, and you can cheap out on other components. I'm running Moog Upper and Lower Control Arms (just in the that last month or two, so my judgement is reserved), and Moog Inner and Outer Tie Rod Ends (~ 3 years now without any problems). I own OEM Upper Ball Joints, but have yet to install them. I ran cheapo Rock Auto shocks and struts for a few years, but just installed Bilsteins all around. Your mileage may vary...

 

Alright, I will try to look for other options for at least OEM lower ball joints, what are some good websites?

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/lower-ball-joints-part-numbers.97100/

 

Would these fit my car?

 

I'd stay far away from those monroes too. Awful ride. Way too squishy.

 

oh dang i was about to purchase them lol, seemed alright, i also went into a shop and they quoted me like $600 + labor just for the front 2, same shocks lmao these shops are a joke
what else is relatively budget friendly but also not toooo squishy?

 

Bilstein 4600s are a good choice.

 

do they fit? I dont know anything about shock specs or stuff like that...
EDIT: i found these Bilstein 4600 OEM Shocks for 00-06 Tundra (shocksurplus.com)

 

the problem with these is that they dont have the springs.. im kinda concerned about doing that swap myself

 

Ok, then why not just buy the, pre-assembled with new OEM springs?

https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...-and-rear-shocks-for-2000-2006-toyota-tundra/

Honestly, do yourself a favor, read the Suspension section of this thread, please: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

 

The man himself!

I have since read that post multiple times (so much stuff going on) and in the end I went and ordered OEM LBJ's, 8 OEM bolts for LBJ's, then Bilstein 4600 shocks (I will just get some spring compressors or whatever they are called), and everything else off of RockAuto, mostly Moog, I've seen a couple posts saying that they are relatively okay. (although I am a bit skeptical on the LCA's by Moog)

Thanks for the reply, I don't think it's worth it to spend $300 extra just to have springs preinstalled, I'll just man up and do it myself.

 

Buy a good quality compressor on scAmazon. It'll cost less than $300

Moog is shit today compared to 20 years ago. They don't make their own parts anymore and probably haven't for at least a decade and a half now.

Want to know why you buy OEM? This is why you buy OEM. Do you like parts wearing out and having to change them again 2-3 years or less down the road because they use inferior rubber, or plastic bushings instead of brass? This video is why OEM costs extra, and why it lasted for 20yrs, and will last another 20yrs if you just quit being cheap and buy OEM. It kills me watching people "save money" only to spend more money, time, and labor buying cheap parts they'll need to replace again in the short term. You're killing us, dude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQWwTB8w2Hk​

 

You can pull yours struts out and have a shop swap the shocks in for cheap.

 

Can't I rent spring compressors from AutoZone or get something cheaper? $300 is not cheap.

I wouldn't know if Moog is good or not compared to 20 years ago since I myself am 20 lol.

I wish I had the money to buy full OEM, but I don't have that kind of money right now, since I just moved here from Romania. (poor country)

Having to replace it in 2-3 years is better than not swapping it at all and having it fail on me completely 1 year from now, and hopefully by that time I will be in a better financial position to buy full OEM and keep this truck going.

 

For me this is false, I'll try my best to never do this again, or maybe get a more capable spring compressor if I do.


Edit: Just saw your next post. This is the best rental spring compressor I could get my hands on.

 

dang that looks sketchy af

 

Exactly. There wasn't enough room to go up higher on the spring with this compressor.

What shocks do you have on currently? This may decide if your old springs will fit the new struts.

 

....no idea? stock?

 

Pics are good here. I'm pretty sure if someone had already slapped on monroes that you wouldn't be able to use those springs on your replacements.

 

This is it

 

I'd say those are original, KYB brand I think. Someone very recently posted the color chart for the springs (red and purple marks) just not sure where it was. I believe those will work but hopefully someone else will hop in and confirm.

 

whew I was really scared for a hot minute, hopefully someone can confirm
in the meantime, what spring compressor should I get? Ideally I'd get something returnable since I wont be doing this thing ever again. (hopefully)

 

Yep, that's how you lose teeth.

If you don't have the money, now may not be the best time. Or shop out for used parts via junkyard or other, maybe?

Anyway, yes you can rent a compressor from the auto parts store, or for under $50 you can get a heavy duty compressor that's better than what Nick shows.

$55 Shankly Spring Compressor Tool - 2200 Lbs - Extra Strength, Heavy Duty Build, Ultra-Rugged Coil Spring Compressor Tool or Strut Spring Compressor Strong and Durable ATV Spring Compressor Tool

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071DQJG24

 

Oh. Junkyards exist here. I forgot.. We don't have those in Romania lol, we have something like used parts shop but they are priced close to brand new since they usually "refurbish" the parts.
Also, I have to do this now since my front end is clunking like crazy when I slow down and pretty much every single bushing is toast, so for now, I think even a shitty brand will be better than this ticking bomb frontend...

Thanks for the Amazon link, I'll probably buy that, seems very sturdy.

 

So I'm gonna ask, why is it you need to replace these components, those shocks don't look bad in the pictures, most of the parts I see there don't look too bad, are you experiencing issues with something?

Edit: should have waited another minute for your next post.

 

Yes, every bushing is gone, I'll add some pictures tomorrow, but pretty much all of them are gone, from the shocks to the sway bar links.

 

You're aware of the major problem with the crossmember in 2WD Tundras which causes clunking, right?

 

Somewhat, but I have yet to found any evidence that is the problem, no cracks or anything like that, everything seems to be tight, and It only happens when I slow down, and I can feel it in the brake pedal sometimes, I think its very unlikely that is the problem.
However, if that IS the problem, I will be very sad and ashamed and I will not tell you guys