Leveling a TRD Pro? Just new shocks ?

2016 TRD pro. 90k miles and shocks been leaking since 80k miles. Disappointed that they didn’t last that long with 98% highway and city driving and 2% easy trails.

Possibly according to one shop small crack in bushings of control arms (I think lower) - but another shop said it’s not a big deal. First shop was like hey do a lift kit as if I had the cash which I dont.

If finances are tight - can I just replace with same shocks Bilstein 5160/6112 and level the front (2” lift?) and be good?

Or will 2” front (1” over stock minor lift?) make it so I would need new springs to lift rear?

Still gonna be 98% highway driving San Diego to Los Angeles and back once a week unless money gets better and do more trails leading first responders and vets groups for more nature time and community.

Any suggested vendors for good prices if I’m just gonna get shocks? Any military and first responders discounts at well known vendors with good prices ?

Does anyone suggest new springs front and rear at same time for long term performance and savings if it’s like in another 80k the front and or rear springs will be saggy or poor performance?

if I need new control arm bushings is it cheaper to get new control arms and if so suggestions for that for reliability long term and mainly highway driving ?

much appreciated- threads can get confusing as to suspension lifts for 5th gens as the costs can seem outrageous for someone on a tight budget and not looking to go fancy fancy …. In SoCa so many Yotas pimped out with high dollar suspensions and never even get wheeled

 

I thing 80,000miles is pretty good for TRD Pro shocks. From what I see all the aftermarket shocks they say 50,000miles is the service interval.

As for the lift height 1.5in front is the max to my taste to level.
If I were in your spot I would change all 4 corners and give about 1.5in rear lift and 2.5 front lift with a kit matches the budget.

But for comfort 0in lift stock rear springs and factory springs are the most comfortable on highway imo.

For control arms I wasn't happy with aftermarket control arms as they all need continuous maintenance vs factory ones require no maintenance.

As for lift options there are plenty of options discussed here. Take time, search and read through. Don't rush. I have jumped from very cheap Bilstien5100 to OME nitro, IronMan FCP to expensive ELKA 2.5DC. Other than OME nitro sports others were good for the price point.

 

If all you're looking to do is level it and do it at a nice price point, I would look at Bilstein 5100s. They have height adjustable spring perches. You're going to maintain more or less the same ride quality, and be able to reuse your stock springs. Aren't the TRD Pro shocks made by Fox? And, aren't they supposedly re-buildable? If so, I would think a reputable shop could do that fairly inexpensively.

 

2016 TRD was still Bilstein

 

Thank you. The 5100 is appealing just due to price point. Yotamafia has a 5100 kit with SPC control arms , front (MD) and rear (LD) springs, about $1700 which is more than I want to spend. But if it’s a buy once cry once situation I’ll consider it… as if do I really need new springs and control arms if the control arm bushings are going bad and do springs need replaced at some
Point anyways simply due to mileage.

but yea highway ride is priority over anything…

 

I think the one shop has you all wrapped around the axle on the bushings. Doesn't sound like it's a critical issue at this point. Yes, it's probably easier to replace the control arms, because they need to come off to replace bushings anyway. As far as springs go, yes, they do wear out. But, in your case, at 90K with light off roading and mostly highway miles, I would have a hard time believing your springs are shot. Everyone is going to want to sell you some more stuff. Replacing shock/struts is not a very hard job. If at a later date you decide you want to go full on lift, the rest can be added. If I were in your situation, I would look at only doing the shocks, reusing the stock springs, and driving happy. Keep in mind, even if you only do a level on the front, get it aligned! Also, a good alignment shop is going to give you the real deal on whether or not you have worn bushings or other components. If not, they won't be able to align it. My 2c.

 

If budget is tight and you're not looking for a lift I'd try to look around for someone locally upgrading their Pro. Grab their suspension and upper arms.
Maybe even call some local off road shops that do a lot of 4Runner work. They might have the parts you need.

Bilstein is a good option if you're looking for a lift. If you only lift it 1.5" ish in the front you wont need aftermarket upper control arms.

Edit* For the love of God don't buy SPC UCAs. Mine failed after 10 months.

 

I appreciate this. Yeah, the shop that had the road force balancing that I need gave me a real scare job unlike the whole damn truck was falling apart… they even said we don’t know how the other people aligned it when they put on your new tires… went back to the shop that I’ve trusted for 15 years that put on the tires - and they’re like that other shop is full of shit and just trying to sell you a bunch of stuff. They even said my belt was going bad and I forget what else…

I just moved to San Diego and I needed an oil change and the brakes were squeaking… found another shop with good ratings…. They replaced the rear brakes for 200 bucks and told me everything else looked fine and just put 5100s on all 4 and on the front and they could level it for cheap … i’m assuming they would also do an alignment and check the control arms before they did anything or I could ask them to as they were really nice and they want to volunteer taking first responders and veterans on desert runs and trail rides… I was there for over an hour just chitchatting with them so they weren’t to make money.

 

Yikes!!! They’re like $600 or $700 dollars !! And failed that soon?!?

 

Yes. And I greased them at the specified intervals with their specified grease. Another set of their proprietary ball joints will run me another 250-300 dollars.

So I'm getting apache upper control arms now. They are basic tubular arms but come with a Moog Problem Solver Ball Joint. The UBJ is also a common size (Toyota OE size) so I can go to the parts store down the street and pick up a ball joint if needed. Trying to get away from proprietary service parts where I can.

Edit* Your mileage may vary. Many people run SPCs without issues. I have wheeled this truck pretty hard so that may have lead to premature failure. Regardless, I do not recommend them.

 

I kind of figured that was the case with that first shop. I can't stand that shit. I've been in the Phoenix metro area for almost six years and I just found a shop that I trust and like. Sounds like you found a good one in the shop that did the brakes and oil. I think they're offering solid advice as well. Don't be afraid to ask them for what YOU want. But, yes they should check anything suspension and steering related if you have them do the work on the install of the 5100s. Good luck, and thanks for your service and helping with Vets and 1st Responders.

 

Keep and eye on your local fb marketplace. You might be able to find some take offs of the newer trd pro fox shocks.

 

Fox take off for $2800 with 1k miles seems steep no?

 

That is ridiculously steep for take off parts.

https://parts.elmhursttoyota.com/oe...4runner-trd-pro-fox-suspension-kit-ptr6189210

 

I've been seeing a lot of people having issues with SPC arms, I'd skip those. If you keep it at or under 2" front lift you won't need arms anyway.

I would skip the arms and go with the 6112 over the 5100 for the front. 5100 is a downgrade from what you already have, 6112 is the equivalent.

 

Thank you.
so I can just grab four new shocks as long as my control arm bushings aren’t bad… and just ask them to set it at 2 inches in the front? is that a specific setting or do they have to measure from the floor to the fender, and adjust them independently? it’s not an off-road shop, but honest and nice mechanics that said they’ve done it on their mom’s 4runner and their dad’s Tacoma with 5100s and that’s why they suggested it to me

 

Again. Someone has got you all wrapped up in the control arm bushings. I seriously doubt they're bad. I replaced the UCAs on my 2011 at 150,xxx miles, and they weren't bad. Only because the lift I did warranted replacing them. I have the original LCAs with just turned 180,000. The bushing are still good. You're going to want to ask them to level. In other words, take a measurement on flat, level ground at the rear, from the ground to the center of the wheel arch. Match the front to that. 4Runners have an engineered nose down rake. The 5100s are going to be the simplest, least expensive option you have to do what you're trying to accomplish. I think Eibach makes a similar strut. You're not going to gain anything in the rear, unless you change the springs. Then, you're forcing a spring change in the front. Understand this: Lifting and leveling are two different things. I believe you are only looking to level and get rid of your leaking shocks, unless I have completely misunderstood all of your previous posts. Yes, the good ol' boy shop should be able to handle this just fine. It's easy if you're properly equipped and tooled up. Don't forget about the alignment.

 

you 110% are tracking me and I sincerely appreciate this

I also appreciate you, noting the mileage on your control arms

literally 98% of my driving has been on Los Angeles, freeways, and any trails I have been very gentle on because my girlfriend is super scared of offloading and a city slicker from Southern California…..

you are correct. I just wanna replace the shots because they’re leaking and if I can get the front level, because I do not like the rake that is great

if finances weren’t so tight, a lift kit with some armor and bumpers would be great, but now is not the time…. and I’m sure that the stock forerunner is more than capable for plenty of trails. I have not even explored yet in Southern California.

 

Indeed. If it helps, I just put the 5100s on my 2003 Tundra because the shocks that were on it were shot. I leveled it using stock springs. I know it's not apples to apples, but the point is this: I am planning on doing more extensive suspension work at a later date. Right now, the 5100s were a good starting point. The ride is good, it's leveled, wasn't too expensive, and the install was fairly painless. I say fairly because I had a spring compressor break under load. I believe I might have escaped death with just a bruised finger. Seriously. But I digress. I do believe you'll be happy. For what you've described, I think it will be a good fit.

 

glad your ok!!

 

Crap!! I tried to order the shocks and was told Bilstein only sells them with the springs ??? And if I go to 5100 I need new springs as well because:

“The Bilstein 6112's (TRD Pro equivalent) uses a flat ground larger diameter spring that would not work with the OEM lower spring mount that is included with the 5100's. You would want to be changing out the struts and springs.”

Is this yet someone else yanking my chain?

 

This is correct. I tried to order the 6112 without springs years ago, only sold with springs. As for the 5100s, you can usually find some low mileage regular 4Runner front springs for cheap. I got mine for $50

 

Why would you order bilsteins 5100? Thats a down grade.

Just order 6112 front and 5160 rears.

 

Well I was hoping not to have to get new springs - so if I couldn’t get 6112s and it was possible to do 5100s without new springs it would save me money.

 

That’s a huge buzz kill… so everyone saying getting a TRDP was a rip off versus getting an OR model and lifting it was correct especially if the stock suspension only lasts 80-90k

 

Depends on if you got one of the unique colors. I think the pro is overpriced but I would have bought one over my limited in 22 to get the few things that didn’t come on the OR.
Shocks are like tires, they’re meant to wear out. Some just last longer than others.
Try looking at the Eibach kits. They’re similar to the 5100s, come with springs, cheaper than 6212s

 

Thanks…. oh I wasn’t planning on lifting it just leveling the front a couple of inches…. But if I get new springs and shocks, for the front through an Eibach kit - does it basically mean I’m gonna have to get new springs for the back as well? as in buy on once cry once rather than level the front - just get a lift all around at this point because I have to spend money on front Springs?

 

Didn't all 4runners come with Bilstein in 2016? Not sure why the buzz kill...

 

my thinking was I usually get a 4x4 and soon as warranty ends I lift it and start modifying it for off road. As years go on I don’t have the time to off road as much and living in SoCa you can’t wheel without craving out an entire day or more to travel to trails. I grew up in Ohio and PA where you can go hit a train 15 minutes from home. So anyhow I was like get a TRDP with the “better” suspension and 1” lift up front plus nice rims.. and that I’d be satisfied and not tempted to lift it or get new rims … and just stay stock. But now I can’t replace just shocks and have to also get springs at 90k miles? Essentially same price as lifting it…. So didn’t really save l
Money by getting a TRDP if you can’t simply replace shocks and must get new shocks and springs …. That is a buzz kill.

 

Are you replacing front and rear?

The 6112/5160 combo is on a totally different level then 5100.

If you not in a huge rush. Keep an eye out for trd pro fox suspension on marketplace or post a wanted ad on here.