Broken Strut - Replacement and Advice

[adman001]

Hey folks. Firstly, massive props to everyone on this forum, the huge amount of information here is incredible.

Long story short - I bought my hilux a year ago with "a 2" lift". Looked okay when I bought it (no strut spacers or anything dodgy) and until now it's been okay, until last weekend.




With a mate of mine just buying a hilux with a 3" tough dog lift kit, I noticed just how much more robust that setup is than mine so eventually, i'll upgrade whatever i've got to a 2 or 3 inch lift by a more reputable company.




It appears to be a Tokico 48510 with Toyota stamped onto it, so I'm guessing it's a Toyota shock with aftermarket springs. Can't see anything on the springs though. Having spent many hours last night I cannot find anything looking like what I have. The only thing I can find on Tokico is this..

viewtopic.php?t=29636

For now my question is - can anyone identify what my current setup is so I can replace it? Is it just a standard Toyota Tokico part or part of a lift kit?

I guess I have 3 options.
1) Locate this shock & spring combo, purchase 1 and leave as is for now.
2) Find a new pair of coilovers that match the same length to tide me over until a lift kit
3) Bite the bullet and buy a whole new lift kit (Billstein, Tough Dog)

[Tyler1993]

Jesus! How’d it feel when that let go??

If you’re thinking of upgrading eventually I’d just bite the bullet and upgrade now.
If the rear is still fine you could just replace the front coilovers, that would save you a fair bit of coin

[DrewXT]

Met a young bloke at Fraser last year in exactly the same predicament. Apparently it's not an uncommon place for the front strut to break. They just fold over and and snap. Seen 2-3 since, all in the same spot, all on the drivers side

Bastard to fit a new one with a spacer installed on the ground let me tell you.

His were completely stock with spacers. He upgraded to Bilstein shocks with Dobinsons coils when he got home.

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[TOYZX]

Just buy new coil overs! They are factory shocks with big springs. It will be a different car with the correct spring and shock combo!

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[adman001]

Jesus! How’d it feel when that let go??

If you’re thinking of upgrading eventually I’d just bite the bullet and upgrade now.
If the rear is still fine you could just replace the front coilovers, that would save you a fair bit of coin

Honestly, didn't notice amongst all the noise! Heard some strange noises but checked underneath and assumed it was my underbody guards held on by 2 bolts, just kept hammering the tracks. Don't like to think what might've happened..

Met a young bloke at Fraser last year in exactly the same predicament. Apparently it's not an uncommon place for the front strut to break. They just fold over and and snap. Seen 2-3 since, all in the same spot, all on the drivers side

Good to hear I'm not just being feral out in the bush. Definitely going to be upgrading.

Just buy new coil overs! They are factory shocks with big springs. It will be a different car with the correct spring and shock combo!

Yeah 100%. It'll be far better off going for a full Tough Dog/Billstein kit though, instead of buying coilovers separately first, right? Save a bunch of coin going with a kit.

It all depends how cheap I can get a replacement strut for. If struts are only 2-300 then I could just swap it out for now. Otherwise might have to go deep.

[mitch_893]

In answer to your initial question, it looks Like a factory Toyota strut with a peddars spring fitted. All you’d need to would be to buy another genuine strut and fit your current spring to it...I’d still recommend a heavy duty aftermarket setup somewhere down the line, but this will get you out of trouble.

[adman001]

Thanks for confirming that Mitch. Given the rest of my car was set up by the previous bloke to be a purely aesthetic carpark cruiser, I should've expected something like this. The heavy springs on stock suspension probably contributed to the strut taking all the load and snapping...

Think it's time for a proper lift kit.

[mitch_893]

I ran pedders upgrade springs on stock suspension for almost 4 years without an issue. Was just to level the front out with the rear end.traveled on Plenty of corrugations. However yours may have a heavier load rated spring from pedders.

[hiluxxury]

However yours may have a heavier load rated spring from pedders.

That would be my guess - I've seen it once before on the stock strut.

[adman001]

Well I've done it. Dropped large coin and got a 2"/40mm Tough Dog kit all around, adjustable dampers and 0-300kg leaves since I do zero towing.

Thanks guys.

[HK1837]

Should have gone to Ultimate!

[adman001]

Should have gone to Ultimate!

Would have loved to but I need it done before the weekend. Also even with their great rates it would've cost more than going with Tough Dog. Maybe if I was in Sydney !