Monroe Quick-Strut 171352L Complete Strut Assembly with Coil Spring - Front Left Replacement for Smooth Ride & Enhanced Suspension - Perfect for Trucks, SUVs & Daily Commuting

I read a ton of reviews and watched a youtube video (http://youtu.be/Qp9OH13jIx8) on how to install this on a 99 tacoma. Pretty much everyone said to use a 2x4 to push the A Arm down and then have a second person put the bolt through at the bottom. I tried this for 6 hours last night and it simply wouldn't go down far enough. I also stripped the bolt when I was taking the old strut out. A very horrible experience that was draining in every way.After a good amount of prayer, I finally was able to come up with a better solution. Use a small scissor jack and have it push down from the top of the wheel well down on the upper control arm. I flipped the scissor jack upside down when I did this, so it dispersed the tension on the wheel well, since I didn't want to puncture a hole. I attached a picture of what I did. Do this when you are taking the old one off, and when you put the new one on. This allows you to crank down hard enough so that it gives you space to put the new strut on. And you don't need a second person to put the bolt through. I also didn't strip the bolt when I took it off since all the tension was gone.A couple other notes that aren't mentioned. You will want to get the alignment done after doing this. My tires are super bowed in since the struts have so much more tension. And be sure to get the Left and Right versions of this strut. You can't buy two and expect it to work for both sides.This worked a TON better and only took me about 45 minutes on a wheel. Reply if you have questions.The strut seems wonderful so far! My old one was squeaking a ton, and sagging enough to put tire wear on the inside of my tires. This rides a ton better, and no embarrassing squeak!Went on easily enough. Had to use a long rebar between the upper control arm and the strut to manipulate the bottom shock bolt. This is a one person job with a little patience and elbow grease. The ride is 100 times better now. No more wheel shake at freeway speeds and handles much better. Monroe shocks for the win!2003 Toyota Tacoma 2.7L - 4x4 - 5spd manualTools needed: 14mm socket / wrench, 17mm for end-link, 14mm for ball joint bolts, 19mm for lca strut bolt, 21mm for tire bolts. Highly recommend ratcheting wrenches for the end links and a 6mm hex key with a ratchet attachmentR is for passenger; L is for driver's side. This is a moderately easy/hard replacement & the ride is good. I would say it's a bit soft, but I won't complain even while off-roading. I bought this shock as a test run approx. 6 months before I intend to lift the vehicle just to understand what I am getting into.Passenger side was super easy to replace. But drivers side was more difficult. You will have to undo: sway bar end links and ball joint. I did not have to remove the tie-rod. If you do not remove the end-links or ball joint you will have to use a giant metal beam as a pry bar to force the lower control arm down & you will need a partner while you manuver the strut in position. That's dumb. Don't be dumb.After removing the end links & ball joint, I still had to use a 2ft long metal bar (breaker bar) to hold the lower control arm down with my knee while I manuvered the strut and the bolt into position. This is because the shock has never been compressed before so it is about 1" too long. Within 12hours on the vehicle it will settle.200,000 miles I found: broken end-links on both sides. Worn ball joint on the passenger side, possibly worn tie rod or wheel bearing on the passenger side.I researched new struts locally and retail stores and found this to be the same part number for a considerably better price. Install isn't too difficult with proper tools and jack stands. Amazon showed this did not fit my truck, but part number is the same as what would. Should fit 1995 1/2- 2004 Tacoma 4WD for sure as they are the same.replaced original toyota struts with 198k miles on them... ya.... they kinda just fell apart once i took them off.the ride is a ton better, smooth, and increased handlingnoticed a huge difference when turning and acceleratingsomewhat a stiff shock, but for the price it's great, I don't feel like I'm breaking my truck when i go over a pothole at 50mph.Replaced the coilovers on my 2004 Tacoma Prerunner 4-cyl Extracab pavement princess with Monroe 171352L and 171352R. Original coilovers were 15 years old with 92K miles. These made a world of difference restoring the original height, ride quality and steering. Took about 2-1/2 hours to complete both sides. Have put 150 miles on them so far. Hope they hold up but for the price I could replace these 3 times vs one pair of Bilstein 5100’s.I wrote a longer review for the right shock, ending in R. This came from Amazon Warehouse Deals and was missing mounting nuts which was no surprise, I just re-used the old ones. It was about half the regular price. Nothing wrong with it. Installation is not easy for a shade tree mechanic like myself. I used a 5" C-clamp to force the lower eye into the bracket, which forced the lower control arm downwards.I've replaced shocks and struts on several vehicles, but these are the best! I just installed the Monroe shocks and struts on my 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The installation was seamless because the fit was perfect. In the past I experienced a stiff ride with replacement shocks, but these shocks provided an amazingly smooth ride. Great product at any price...but $220 for a set of four was a bargain!NOTE: for the 2003 Toyota Tacoma I had to buy each shock separately (not in a set) and there is a left and right for the front and back. They each have a unique model number. You shouldn't just order two units and think they'll work for both sides.This item looks to be good quality and has the obvious advantage of not having to fool around with spring compressors.As for durability.....time will tell.Happy with productEasy to install the delivery was as stated Thank YouWorks well...easy install ...worth the money...