Thread: Replacing clutch + shocks on a Taco?

Any of you done this shit? I have the parts, and a buddy who's a TV repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runne...enance/clutch/

Yeah yeah. tacomaterritory.com I'm lurking there too.

Why do you have whiteout on your license plate?

I need new suspension pieces on my truck too (99'). I was going to do the front myself but realized they're struts, not straight up shocks. This involves compressing the spring to get the stock ones out and that's not something I wanted to do. You've got to preload the shit out of them to work on them and I started hearing horror stories about people losing pieces of their face when the clamps weren't secure.

So now I'm getting new struts and an add a leaf set for the rear for christmas. The leaf springs I'm doing myself and I'm just going to pay someone to put the struts on.

Don't know about the clutch.

Shocks are easy if you have good tools. Jack up, loosen lower bolt, loosen upper bolt, take out old shock, put new shock on, tighten the two bolts, done.

The clutch is a little bit harder. Since it sits between the engine and the transmission, the transmission needs to come out. Not necessarily that difficult, but you need good tools and a transmission jack you can lower it on.

I changed the rear coils springs on my 4runner last weekend in about 3 hours with no help.

Edit: read here for the shocks: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/projects/blackbean/ome/ Not as easy as it is on my 4runner.

you can save a good amount of money on these items by DIYing but it is WAY EASIER to pay for these to get done*.

both of these jobs rate as more dangerous automotive repairs as well, the struts b/c IIRC toyos use integrated spring/shock-struts so you'll need a special tool to compress each one for mounting and the clutch b/c you need to remove the tranny/t-case which are at best very heavy and awkward (DO RENT A TRANNY JACK).


*I am a firm believer in saving $ where you can but looking realistically at how much a PITFA some things are and just paying a professional to do. Shocks are often a way bigger PITA than they should be and while a clutch is "fun" it is also fraught with peril for the shade tree mechanic.

How many miles on your Taco, Punani?

Originally Posted by kidwoo

Why do you have whiteout on your license plate?

I need new suspension pieces on my truck too (99'). I was going to do the front myself but realized they're struts, not straight up shocks. This involves compressing the spring to get the stock ones out and that's not something I wanted to do. You've got to preload the shit out of them to work on them and I started hearing horror stories about people losing pieces of their face when the clamps weren't secure.

So now I'm getting new struts and an add a leaf set for the rear for christmas. The leaf springs I'm doing myself and I'm just going to pay someone to put the struts on.

Don't know about the clutch.

Do you have the TuRD or the stock? Here's what I'm replacing



Thanks for the heads up on the face rearrangement. My bud's dad is a mechanic who has his own shop so he was just gonna charge bro-brah rates + a truckload of beers that I'm gonna get them for the trouble. I'll check if he has the clamp thing.

Edit- you guys are quick. Thanks for the advice and concern for my welfare. Actually going through a real shop (see above).

Rootskier: I'm on 216k miles since I got it new. On regular maintenance (oil changes every 5000, Timing belt at 90 and 180k, new brakes when they squeal).

Originally Posted by lemon boy

you can save a good amount of money on these items by DIYing but it is WAY EASIER to pay for these to get done*.

The stealership wanted $1000 for clutch and $1000 for the strut/shock replacement. (Parts + labor)

With the brobrah rates it is <$500 for the clutch, and around 3 hours for shock/strut replacement. I snagged the used shocks (<5000 miles) on a Taco forum from some dude who lifted his truck almost as soon as he got it.

Originally Posted by kidwoo

Why do you have whiteout on your license plate?

I need new suspension pieces on my truck too (99'). I was going to do the front myself but realized they're struts, not straight up shocks. This involves compressing the spring to get the stock ones out and that's not something I wanted to do. You've got to preload the shit out of them to work on them and I started hearing horror stories about people losing pieces of their face when the clamps weren't secure.

So now I'm getting new struts and an add a leaf set for the rear for christmas. The leaf springs I'm doing myself and I'm just going to pay someone to put the struts on.

Don't know about the clutch.

I've done struts for a few people, but not on a taco. The compression tool that I've used had lil locks to keep it on the spring so there was no flying off.

Supu: if they don't have them at the shop, most auto parts stores ought to rent them fairly cheap. Struts are certainly easier than the clutch.
Check for Chilton's/ Haynes books on the taco. They can help for shizzle.

SuPu- if that's the case you should be good. in your picture the inside ones = easy to change the oustide ones = more difficult/dangerous....not like old split rims dangerous but....

Looks like the rear shocks are a relatively easy DIY operation.

IIRC, Pep Boys will rent tools for super cheap/free. I used them all the time back when I was working on cars. Those springs aren't that tough, just make sure to keep your pretty boy face and hands out of the pinch points once you load up the spring.

Remember to lube the bolts on the shocks as squeaking is unbecoming of a midnight parking lot tryst.

Mines just the v6 4x4, not TRD. Same principles apply to the shocks though. If you've got access to your bud's shop with right tools and someone with experience, go for it. I wish I did.