This is a really great video on how to replace these support struts! It was hard to find a video with the same kind of hardware being used which is like the one I bought from a different brand. Luckily I didn't have to break out a torch to get anything removed, HOWEVER, to anyone who purchased the Maxpow type struts be advised that you have to remove a C clip from the ball end BEFORE installing the ball end and then you have to REPLACE the C clip after installation to keep the struts in place. I didn't see that part of this in this video and I'm assuming its because the type of struts he purchased maybe didn't need to have a pin removed and replaced to keep the ball end in place but mine did. It took me about 10 minutes to figure out how the struts stay in place and finally realized that you have to do what I said above. Once again, great video and thanks for your help! I am fixing up my 2005 4Runner with 230,000 miles which is running great but I am replacing things on it that need to be replaced like these struts.
Not sure if anyone will watch this or read the comments after 8 years but I just changed my supports an hour ago. I watched this video and could not understand the need for torching and still don’t. Maybe something is different about my 2007? Anyway I bought the supports from an online Toyota parts dealer-er 😜 and the pair, OEM, was just over $100. The bolt/ball came off with a 6” long 12 mm wrench. On one I used a pipe on the wrench for extra torque but did not need this for the other one. It’s bit tedious because you can only turn the wrench at most a 1/4 of a turn. Wish there was an explanation somewhere on how to pop the socket off. The new parts have the ball/bolt separated from the support. Once you have the ball/bolt and the support installed the socket just pops over the ball with thumb pressure - piece of cake. I thought I would have hammer it on. One of the easiest installs I’ve ever had to do.
I had to heat mine to get it off, it just would not break loose. Glad yours went easier. Now if I only still had the truck. The frame rusted thru in multiple places 5 yrs ago at 135k miles and Toyota wouldn't cover the 4Runner frames even though MANY had catastrophic rust problems. Best truck I ever owned til that happened. I took meticulous care of it too.
Thank you for your guidance, I ordered the correct pistons and changed them out this evening - took 30 minutes or so. No singed paint or melted lights. Could not have done it without your clear and precise directions - thank you very much.
I wanted to thank you. This video included all the info I needed to be able to upgrade my lifts. I followed your suggestion & got the strong arm brand as well....hopefully they work well for me too.
Wish it was that easy for mine. I've rounded off that nut on the lower ball right above the taillight on my son's 2003 model. They must have welded it on. After rounding it off with the correct sized wrench, i tried with needle nose vice grips with no luck. It's ridiculous. The same job took 5 minutes for my wife's 2011 Highlander.
Sorry to hear that, usually enough heat breaks it loose. Not much else you can do with it, cutting it and drilling it would be a bitch but might be the only option left.
Thank you! This saved me a lot of time. Luckily for me I didn't have to use a torch or heat gun. Does the lift support soften up over time? I noticed it takes some effort to close the hatch and it opens up pretty hard.
Thanks for the video. My 2008 4runner is similar. I ordered some replacements, but did not get any hardware. Is there a way to get the stock ones off of the ball joint? I found no clips, pins or anything!!
Nice info to know! My 4Runner had one pop off the top bracket. I just popped it back in with a rubber mallet. Is this a sign that I may need to replace it in the near future?
I used the " Strong Arm" brand. # 6107 for my 2005 4Runner. Make sure you get the pair and usually they are priced each..so might be about 60 bucks for the pair. They have been installed since July 2015 and so far work great. You can find them on this site a bit cheaper for another brand but I have no experience with others. I took the advise of others on Toyota blogs and I'm happy. Here's that website, just search for your particular model and year. www.liftsupportsdepot.com/strong-arm-lift-supports/
Check right about the 2-minute mark the top bracket just bolts off you just need to prop up the liftgate so it doesn't fall on your head ! It should be a 12 mm socket to take the bracket off the liftgate.
What brand did you get ?? Most come with the top bracket already installed and the bottom just needs to be popped on to the new stud that's included. The set I used came like that. Are you looking at it upside down maybe ??? Here's what should have come with it. www.amazon.com/dp/B007RVR1MA/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B007RVR1MA&pd_rd_w=FiFRC&pf_rd_p=7d37a48b-2b1a-4373-8c1a-bdcc5da66be9&pd_rd_wg=Cf27d&pf_rd_r=X6D050Q505TAP7T8KVNZ&pd_rd_r=4ba2cd82-f44d-4740-981b-210ca039fb62&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzU01XTjJGV1NCNjhEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTQzNTQ5M0dVUFBIQjFTM0hPUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTY4MzY3MUc1WjFOQVBTRENETiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Thank you brother. You really helped me out. I sure didn’t know where to start. Thanks again.
This is a really great video on how to replace these support struts! It was hard to find a video with the same kind of hardware being used which is like the one I bought from a different brand. Luckily I didn't have to break out a torch to get anything removed, HOWEVER, to anyone who purchased the Maxpow type struts be advised that you have to remove a C clip from the ball end BEFORE installing the ball end and then you have to REPLACE the C clip after installation to keep the struts in place. I didn't see that part of this in this video and I'm assuming its because the type of struts he purchased maybe didn't need to have a pin removed and replaced to keep the ball end in place but mine did. It took me about 10 minutes to figure out how the struts stay in place and finally realized that you have to do what I said above. Once again, great video and thanks for your help! I am fixing up my 2005 4Runner with 230,000 miles which is running great but I am replacing things on it that need to be replaced like these struts.
I love my 2006 4Runner V8 Limited with 225,000 miles rides like it was new Thanks for the info
Not sure if anyone will watch this or read the comments after 8 years but I just changed my supports an hour ago. I watched this video and could not understand the need for torching and still don’t. Maybe something is different about my 2007? Anyway I bought the supports from an online Toyota parts dealer-er 😜 and the pair, OEM, was just over $100. The bolt/ball came off with a 6” long 12 mm wrench. On one I used a pipe on the wrench for extra torque but did not need this for the other one. It’s bit tedious because you can only turn the wrench at most a 1/4 of a turn. Wish there was an explanation somewhere on how to pop the socket off. The new parts have the ball/bolt separated from the support. Once you have the ball/bolt and the support installed the socket just pops over the ball with thumb pressure - piece of cake. I thought I would have hammer it on. One of the easiest installs I’ve ever had to do.
I had to heat mine to get it off, it just would not break loose. Glad yours went easier. Now if I only still had the truck. The frame rusted thru in multiple places 5 yrs ago at 135k miles and Toyota wouldn't cover the 4Runner frames even though MANY had catastrophic rust problems. Best truck I ever owned til that happened. I took meticulous care of it too.
Great video! I did not need the torch or even a breaker bar, they easily came off. 2007 with oem pistons.
Thank you for your guidance, I ordered the correct pistons and changed them out this evening - took 30 minutes or so. No singed paint or melted lights. Could not have done it without your clear and precise directions - thank you very much.
I wanted to thank you. This video included all the info I needed to be able to upgrade my lifts. I followed your suggestion & got the strong arm brand as well....hopefully they work well for me too.
Glad it helped you !
Wish it was that easy for mine. I've rounded off that nut on the lower ball right above the taillight on my son's 2003 model. They must have welded it on. After rounding it off with the correct sized wrench, i tried with needle nose vice grips with no luck.
It's ridiculous. The same job took 5 minutes for my wife's 2011 Highlander.
Sorry to hear that, usually enough heat breaks it loose. Not much else you can do with it, cutting it and drilling it would be a bitch but might be the only option left.
They stay pretty stiff. But this is how they should be, its when they lose gas that they get soft and easy. Glad I could help you !
Thank you! This saved me a lot of time. Luckily for me I didn't have to use a torch or heat gun. Does the lift support soften up over time? I noticed it takes some effort to close the hatch and it opens up pretty hard.
Thanks man.
Wow nice more video brother 👍
Thanks for the video. My 2008 4runner is similar. I ordered some replacements, but did not get any hardware. Is there a way to get the stock ones off of the ball joint? I found no clips, pins or anything!!
Nice info to know! My 4Runner had one pop off the top bracket. I just popped it back in with a rubber mallet. Is this a sign that I may need to replace it in the near future?
Do you think a hair dryer would heat the glue up enough instead of a propane torch?
What brand replacements did you use here? I take it that these were not OEM? Mine are shot, and this looked easy enough. Thank you!
I used the " Strong Arm" brand. # 6107 for my 2005 4Runner. Make sure you get the pair and usually they are priced each..so might be about 60 bucks for the pair. They have been installed since July 2015 and so far work great. You can find them on this site a bit cheaper for another brand but I have no experience with others. I took the advise of others on Toyota blogs and I'm happy. Here's that website, just search for your particular model and year. www.liftsupportsdepot.com/strong-arm-lift-supports/
YOu just totally skipped the part I need to see!! How do you get the old strut off of the top bracket????
Check right about the 2-minute mark the top bracket just bolts off you just need to prop up the liftgate so it doesn't fall on your head ! It should be a 12 mm socket to take the bracket off the liftgate.
My struts didn't come with top bracket. Not sure how im gonna get the ball out of the old bracket
@@ibuschini use a dremel tool to cut the ball socket open being careful not to cut the ball inside.
My struts didn't come with top bracket. Not sure how to get the ball out of old bracket
What brand did you get ?? Most come with the top bracket already installed and the bottom just needs to be popped on to the new stud that's included. The set I used came like that. Are you looking at it upside down maybe ??? Here's what should have come with it.
www.amazon.com/dp/B007RVR1MA/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B007RVR1MA&pd_rd_w=FiFRC&pf_rd_p=7d37a48b-2b1a-4373-8c1a-bdcc5da66be9&pd_rd_wg=Cf27d&pf_rd_r=X6D050Q505TAP7T8KVNZ&pd_rd_r=4ba2cd82-f44d-4740-981b-210ca039fb62&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzU01XTjJGV1NCNjhEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTQzNTQ5M0dVUFBIQjFTM0hPUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTY4MzY3MUc1WjFOQVBTRENETiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
I think you forgotten the torch on
Khalid T LOL I probably did !