03 XLT 4x4 V6 Struts

[03Explo20]

I'm thinking of changing out the suspension parts on my vehicle. It appears to me there are struts all the way around. I'm interested in just buying the complete strut from RockAuto and trying to change these out myself.

How complicated is this for a back yard mechanic? Is there a lot of pieces that need taken apart to change these struts out or is it just involve unbolting the top and bottom nuts, changing out the strut and bolting it all back together????

 

[BigRondo]

Welcome aboard jonstrong!!

Both my rear springs were broken & my front struts were leaking when I bought my Ex in Feb 2010.

Now I'm running the StrutTEK's on all four corners and have nothing but good things to say about them! The ride is awesome and the price is right. I can't compare them to the original struts since they were FUBAR when I bought my Ex.

The rears were installed on 11/29/2010 & the fronts were installed on 2/20/2012.

I love them. The ride is great.

Click here to find out more about the StrutTEK Struts.

Here are some threads for you to check out:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309630
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375910
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180806
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370786
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294593
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362908
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368015
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293355
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363452
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=360617
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284280

Here are a couple of threads concerning changing the rears:

Here you go:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332430

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2838270&postcount=5

Good luck. :biggthump

Please keep us posted as feedback helps others reading this post looking for a fix to the same or similar issue!

 

[Slade]

It's not really a big deal to do. You may need to un bolt a couple things for clearance. I want to say I didn't need to on the fronts. I don't remember on the rear. Fairly straight forward. Air tools help bunches.

 

[michaelkill4]

I second what BigRondo said! Im running StrutTeks as well and love them! Pretty easy to install

 

[Joscibo]

I bought Monroe's quick strut. $200 for the rear set that was bad. I heard the strutteks sit higher than stock if you aren't changing all 4. My rears were shot what a different ride and fairly easy to change.

 

[blue_goose]

Fronts are easy, about what one would expect. The rears were more difficult as you had to take many parts off. I would read a how to or shop manual first and go from there. its not too difficult, just time consuming. Took me a weekend for the first time (rear) and about 4 hours for the second. fronts were easy. and definitely get the whole strut assembly. I did the whole compress the springs and replace the shocks only on the front and it was very hard. took 2 sets of spring compressors and still about shot the spring across the garage. worth the extra $40 for the whole thing.

 

[drbombay]

I live in a snow and salt area and for me the worse part was the top nuts on the rears. Ratchet type wrenches helped but still a tough spot to get at. Cutting gear would have saved a great deal of time for me.

 

[Craddock]

"Ratchet type wrenches helped but still a tough spot to get at. Cutting gear would have saved a great deal of time for me."

I just put Struttek"s on the rear of my 02 yesterday and there is one bolt of the top mounting bolts(6 total) that was a pain as I didn't have my 13mm ratcheting wrench. all the others I just loosed a tad and cut with a sawzall. Driver side inner can be cut by removing the spare tire.

I drove it only about 5 miles to test and love them. Of course I was way overdue!! Big thanks to Rondo for all posts!

 

[BigRondo]

You're welcome.

 

[rmays06]

Thanks for the links Rondo. Excellent and easy to find info with members like you willing to help out.
My Monroe arrive next week and this will make it easier.

 

[BigRondo]

No Problem. Good luck.

 

[03Explo20]

For the guys with the Struttek's. I am considering these for my 2003 XLT. I also have an 2008 Tacoma with the Sport Package (Billstein) shocks.

How close, if at all, would the Explorer ride with the Struttek's be to the Tacoma ride?

I would love to get a similar ride out of the Explo if at all possible.

 

[BigRondo]

Kind of hard to tell unless someone has the same Tacoma as you.

 

[03Explo20]

I guess it would help if I described the ride of the Tacoma, eh Rondo!

Smooth ride, can hardly feel any bumps in the road, the vehicle holds the road and is tight through corners with no "wandering". Basically just a smooth, quiet, good handling ride, is what I'm seeking out of the Explo!