How to replace struts on 2002 Tacoma prerunner

I bought kyb mono max struts and will reuse the spring, can the strut be removed without removing spring?

 

Tacomas don't use struts, they use coils and shocks. Do you have a part number for the KYB "struts" you're trying to install?

 

564001
Strut is used by me to separate front and back

 

To answer your question more simply, no. On the prerunner\4wd trucks the coil is mounted on the shock and is a "coilover" type config. There is a "top hat" on the assembly that is secured by a nut\washer\bushing which retains the spring ON the shock (strut, whatever) and is removed and installed from the vehicle as a unit. Inseparable unless first removed from the vehicle.

The first gen 5 lugs are the ones that the shock is mounted through the spring but does not touch it in any way. Which means you can remove the spring and shock separately and don't need a spring compressor since the spring sits in a pocket on the lower control arm and a pocket in the frame, while the shock is also mounted to the lower control arm and the same pocket but they aren't touching each other.

Edit: felt like adding more info for EVEN MORE clarity

 

No. The coil spring and shock are combined into one non-locating assembly called a coilover. It's non-locating in terms of suspension geometry. Struts are similar but are locating members within the suspension geometry- if you remove the strut assembly the suspension geometry will not stay the same. You can pull your coilovers out and the arms are the locating members.

That being said. Considering that you are asking these basic questions, I would highly suggest taking your truck to a shop to have this work performed. Messing with the coil springs is dangerous if you don't have the proper tools on hand. Even most coil spring compressors you rent won't fit within the more tightly wound coil springs on these trucks.

 

Assuming the coil springs are original, recommend replacing the springs with the shock. Buy an assembled coilover or pay the vendor to assemble. Removal of the coil spring and assembly of coil over the shock is not a simple DIY task.

 

I mean, I feel as though it is pretty simple and straight forward. But if you don't know what you're doing you can hurt yourself (severely)... If you're mechanically savvy you don't really have much to be concerned with because you probably have experience in some aspect.

But on the flip side, if you're making threads on a website asking how the shocks\springs are config'd so you can know if you're capable of replacing them on your own...well, you probably aren't qualified.

 

You guys are making me feel proud of myself. I did my struts on my 99 Prerunner years ago. It was quite a job for an amature. They are struts I assume. They look like them. but now one is leaking oil bad. They are Monroes

 

Monroe calls their product a "quick strut" in a generic way. 6 lug 1st gen tacomas (along with 2nd and 3rd) use coilovers. The quick strut product for a tacoma is a preassembled coilover. What the OP was asking, is if could reuse his OEM coil on top of a new shock. He can, but the process is different that the quick strut (pre assembled coilover).

 

C'mon - gimme a break!

Think before posting. A quick google-check on the word "coilover" and a look at the resulting links would have prevented such misleading information.

 

What do you mean? Just because it isn't adjustable doesn't make it any less of a "coilover".

 

I thought @Murd3rd's post was the most helpful so far. A "coilover" doesn't have to be made by King to be called one.

 

... did I provide too much info?

 

I don't think so. More info is often times better. We replied at almost the same time. I think @glwood6 is just stating that the dude that implied I was wrong was in fact wrong... There's more than one way to skin a cat.

 

Take it to a shop. Save yourself some time, aggravation and possibly serious injury.

 

Not at all. You nailed it also.

^^^That.

 

I'd assume that "quick strut" is also a trademark name and by no means has to fall in line with the actual real term that the industry refers to it by. I bet they call all of their assembled "ready-to-install" out of the box units "quick strut" whether it's an ACTUAL McPherson Strut or a coilover design.

 

Bingo

 

Or do more than ask one question on a forum and LEARN something...watch videos on YouTube, read manufacturer installation instructions. Hell, if he needs it I have the full factory FSM that will literally give him step-by-step instructions. Know the risks and try it in a deliberate and calculated manner, and NOT get raped by some mechanic that has massive overhead costs.

I may sound condescending and I apologize if I come off that way...but working on vehicles is not all that difficult. If you try and apply yourself you'd be amazed at what you can do with simple hand tools and some free loan-a-tools from your local big box auto parts store, plus a little bit of research.

But I guess if your time is worth more to you than you'd pay for somebody else to do it for you then forget everything I just said and pay the man, money bags!

 

Easy there! The comments that the OP should probably take it to a shop (at least on my behalf) are based on the way they asked the question. I always encourage folks to do their own work when it makes sense for them to do so, and that's a pretty vague thing to gauge. In this case... someone who just asks a question like this without doing their own research ahead of time is more likely not mechanically inclined or motivated enough to do the leg work and just wants the easy out. Disassembling and reassembling coilovers is not a first time diy'er job. It would be one thing if the coil spring compressors you can rent work on these coils, but you have to find the right type, and most auto parts stores don't have them to loan. Just that by itself is a huge trap waiting to happen for the uninitiated.