Front Shock Installation How-To

I searched, I really did. I thought there was a "How-To" on replacing the front shocks on a 2nd Gen. I even thought Chris had a video of it. I can't find it. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks

 

Check the stickies in the suspension sub forum. There are a couple how to's.

Edit:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-front-shock-spring-removal.31862/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/icon-stage-4-install-detailed-instructions.196192/

 

Thank you!

 

Follow the links in post above, and if your truck is not 4x4, you don't even have to remove the spindle. Just unbolt the sway bar on both sides and rotate it out of the way to maneuver the coil assembly out of the way thru the bottom. You can use a long handle from your floor jack to pry on the lower control arm a little bit. Just watch the brake and ABS lines.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-install-a-old-man-emu-lift-on-tacoma-video.483146/



If you need to separate the shocks and coils, follow these videos instead of using a spring compressor. THIS IS MUCH SAFER.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6u7dC7EHg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo0FJSi-KYs

 

Any recommendation on replacing the Top Hats? I've seen videos where the through hole in the Top Hat gets rounded out by the shock's rod during its continuous compression and rebound cycles - which may be especially noticeable after 75K miles.

(if replacing the top hats is recommended, may as well buy all new hardware too to avoid having to decompress the stock spring)

 

If you're ordering new shocks and coils and are planning on replacing the top hats, then you may as well get them pre-installed before ordering to save yourself some effort.

 

Its literally 2 mintues extra per side to install and assemble the strut assembly yourself. saves you 80-120 bucks.

 

Yeah but he's wanting new top hats too which would be ~$50. It's an extra $90 through headstrong for assembly, so only $40 for them to actually assemble the coils. Sometimes it's worth spending a few bucks for convenience.