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Installing coils and shackles, is it really that bad?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by MistrRoboto, Sep 8, 2017.

  1. Sep 8, 2017 at 12:00 PM
    #1
    MistrRoboto

    #1
    MistrRoboto [OP] '17 MGM SR5 TRD CrewMax

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    I did the suspension on my FJ about 10 years ago and given some tight spots and stuck bolts I remember it being a real pain in the ass. But - I just watched a video on the Tundra and it seems so damn easy - is it?

    Going to summarize a bit but it seemed almost like it should take no longer than 2 hours...

    Front
    -Jack it up
    -Remove skid
    -Remove front wheels/tires
    -Remove swaybar
    -Loosen LCA bolts optional
    -Remove steering knuckle bolts
    -Remove lower shock mount nut/bolt
    -Remove upper shock mounts nuts
    -Slide out old coil
    -Slide in new coil

    Reverse and Repeat.

    Rear
    -Support diff
    -Remove rear shock
    -Put in new rear shock
    -Remove shackle bolts and slide out
    -Put in new shackles

    Reverse and Repeat.

    You guys mostly do this yourselves or take to a shop?

    -Jim
     
    MistrRoboto, Sep 8, 2017
    #1
  2. Sep 8, 2017 at 12:08 PM
    #2
    MistrRoboto

    #2
    MistrRoboto [OP] '17 MGM SR5 TRD CrewMax

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    Yeah - thats basically the reason for my post. Its much spookier going to the wife for $1400 than it is for $850 and a few hours.
     
    MistrRoboto, Sep 8, 2017
    #2
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  3. Sep 8, 2017 at 12:21 PM
    #3
    joonbug

    #3
    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    :thumbsup:
     
    joonbug, Sep 8, 2017
    #3
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  4. Sep 8, 2017 at 12:24 PM
    #4
    MistrRoboto

    #4
    MistrRoboto [OP] '17 MGM SR5 TRD CrewMax

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    My Christmas list this year will he short, sweet, and expensive. Goal is to get each family member to buy one of the suspension components in my list.
     
    MistrRoboto, Sep 8, 2017
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  5. Sep 8, 2017 at 12:31 PM
    #5
    TheBeast

    #5
    TheBeast The Beach

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    rear can be done at home. Front it depends if you run into issues it's nice to have access to shop tools/lift.
     
    TheBeast, Sep 8, 2017
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  6. Sep 8, 2017 at 12:55 PM
    #6
    smslavin

    #6
    smslavin New Member

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    Some stuff
    I just did mine and it wasn't difficult. Time consuming, yes. Difficult, no. I did have to cut out one of the UCA bolts but a replacement from the dealer was easy to get.

    Passenger side UCA bolt is easier to remove if you pop a couple of the wire clips in the engine bay. You will have to twist it around some of the wire bundles to get it out. On the driver side, pull the battery. You'll have way more room.

    You can skip removing the knuckle bolts. If you undo the sway bay at both ends, you'll have enough play to slid the new c/o in. It will take a little bit of effort.

    If I were to do the rears again, I would remove the shock, then the leaf, then lower the rear axle a bit to make it easier to slide in a new leaf. I didn't do that and the Deavers were a work out to wrestle into place. The stock shackle is two pieces. I had to bang on the leaf a bit to knock it loose once I removed the nuts.

    I did the fronts in an afternoon (about 4 hours) then did the rears the next morning. The rears were way faster.
     
    smslavin, Sep 8, 2017
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  7. Sep 8, 2017 at 1:02 PM
    #7
    BakNBlk2014

    #7
    BakNBlk2014 So Impossibly Black

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    MRobot. Aren't you in the virginia beach area. If so I'll be in and out of there for work Oct thru Jan. Would gladly assist for the experience alone, if my schedule allows it of course.
     
    BakNBlk2014, Sep 8, 2017
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  8. Sep 9, 2017 at 9:46 AM
    #8
    nowayout

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    nowayout New Member

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    @MistrRoboto can you post a link to the install video you mentioned in the op?
     
    nowayout, Sep 9, 2017
    #8
  9. Sep 9, 2017 at 1:31 PM
    #9
    dejabrown

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    dejabrown New Member

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    Backflip cover, OME suspension, Smittybuilt M1 rear bumper, Move front bumper
    thanks for the encouragement. Good to know its not that bad. I need to do mine...
     
    dejabrown, Sep 9, 2017
    #9
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  10. Sep 9, 2017 at 2:34 PM
    #10
    Law323

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    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: Two hours???

    I wish!!

    Front is easy to figure out, but very time consuming. I would plan for at least 4-5 hours, the rear should only take you an hour or two. So easy.

    Don't forget the alignment after!
     
    Law323, Sep 9, 2017
    #10
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  11. Sep 9, 2017 at 2:46 PM
    #11
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    #11
    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADIN',RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    Yikes im fixing to do UCAs n new struts soon on my own...im scared...
     
    TXRailRoadBandit73, Sep 9, 2017
    #11
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