strut assembly (quick strut) questions

hey all -

first post here.

did some cursory research on strut assemblies for gen. 1's and didn't seem much that addressed my somewhat specific questions.

so if someone could chime in it would be appreciated.

and it might be helpful to know that i have an '04 base SR5 4x4 xtracab that i don't plan on modding or lifting. i'm just looking to restore this thing back to OEM stats, maybe a little better.

1. i see complete strut assemblies by KYB and Monroe. don't see any complete strut assemblies being offered from relatively higher quality outfits like Koni or Bilstein. but just cause i don't see it doesn't mean they don't exist. so i figured i'd asked if anyone knows if they are offered.

2. since i'm not modding, i'm assuming the the KYB or Monroe route might be more than sufficient for my needs (not towing, not off roading, etc.). that being said, does one company have a better reputation than the other? anyone have any experience with either/both? i know i've seen a post or two on here back when i was lurking that mentioned that the KYBs were a bit soft, and sagged. thoughts?

any insight would be appreciated.

disclaimer: if these questions have been addressed in another/other threads and i missed them, then i apologize. i'm not that young anymore. and never was really that smart to begin with.

 

KYB is looked at higher than monroe but monroe is not a bad company. The only way to get a bilstein in a "ready" strut is the get one put together by a offroad shop with say ome 880 coils (will lift a small amount). For your need and for the price point i would get the KYB or Monroe quick strut.

 

Both good companies. I have Monroe's on right now and after about 60 thousand miles they are sagging a little. Thats not not bad in my book. Just put a set on the wife's car to and they feel great too.

 

good info. thank you for the responses.

 

I had monroes out on when the frame on mine was replaced and am happy 3 yrs later. They also have some chink ones on eBay dirt cheep!

 

Our 4x4's don't have struts, they have coilovers (including OEM). The shock is independent of the suspension system. You don't need to replace everything unless you suspect your springs are also worn out.

The reason you don't find higher end coilover assemblies is because of quality and ride preferences. You can get some OME (old man emu) assemblies or bilstein 5100 assemblies, but, like I said, if your coil springs are fine, you're throwing money away by buying springs, too. In that case, just get shocks.

If you want good shocks, Bilsteins are probably regarded as the best low/mid budget for your application. There are the 4600's which are a 100% stock replacement, or for a little bit more the 5100's are adjustable height (up to ~3" lift). I found that if your springs are sagging a bit, the first "list" setting (about an inch I believe) will help level it out (but doesn't do anything for the rear springs, of course). This is of course a band-aid fix, but since springs are usually $500 for good ones, a little bit of "lift" on the old springs can help, for a lot less.

 

I've got Monroe's on the front of my 3rd Gen 4Runner... for the money, no complaints. Rides a lot better than the original stuff that was rusting/flaking off of it. The springs on it were delaminating and was downright scary looking.

 

I always thought or heard that the Monroe shocks/struts were kind of average or just 'okay' in regards to quality and durability? Maybe it's changed last few years? KYB, on the other hand, is apparently an actual OEM supplier of shocks/struts to Toyota. Tokico is also an OEM supplier to Toyota/Lexus and makes quality shocks. Of course Bilstien is regarded as a quality shock as well.

 

How would you know if your springs are worn out? I have about 80k miles on them (factory).

 

All things being equal, springs determine ride height. So the degree of 'wear' could be gauged by comparing ride height now to how high it set when new.

 

i always thought the difference between a strut and a shock was that the strut was part of the suspension (replaces the lower control arm or whatnot), and a shock was independent of the suspension. doesn't the spring sit on the perch of the strut, and when combined with the top hat the assembly makes what you are referring to as coil over suspension?

not that i care either way. just curious. thanks for your thoughts.

 

I got schooled on this here on another thread. I had to start doing some reading to see what makes a McPherson strut a strut and conversely what makes a coilover a coilover. There is some really good info here and diagrams that helped me see the difference.

http://www.g20.net/forum/showthread...difference-between-struts-and-shocks-and-such

 

^^^ thanks. that makes sense.

 

I used the Monroe as well. Been on probably 4 years, still holding up. They're ok, nothing to write home about

 

In short, it's the upper A arm. Coilovers like our tacos have upper and lower control arms. A mac strut basically replaces the upper arm and is an integral part of the suspension. Take our coil over off, and while the suspension will sag, it will still cycle up and down and keep its alignment.