 Here's the stock suspension....  Here's the stock suspension. Even though the stock shocks are cross-linked and carry additional damping fluid in the XREAS hydraulic lines, the Sway-A-Way shocks have much greater fluid capacity and thus are much more fade-resistant than the stock system. |  With the 4Runner secured on...  With the 4Runner secured on a vehicle lift and the wheels removed, Brian started by loosening the top shock bolts from the coilover bucket. The nuts were stubbornly tight, so Brian tapped a urethane mallet on the end of the wrench to break the nuts loose. |  |
 The lower shock bolt was easy...  The lower shock bolt was easy to access and remove. The stock coilover is now unbolted and loose, but it cannot be removed from the vehicle without disconnecting either the upper control arm from the steering knuckle or disconnecting the tie rod from the steering knuckle. Brian opted to disconnect the tie rod. |  Tie rods can be stubborn to...  Tie rods can be stubborn to unseat from the tapered bores they tighten into, unless you know a trick or two. After removing the cotter pin, loosen the castle nut, flip it over, and thread it partially onto the tie rod end. Flipping the nut over protects both the nut and the tie rod end as you tap on it with a brass hammer. After a few good smacks, the tie rod end should pop loose. |  The upper shock mount bolts...  The upper shock mount bolts into the stock mounts. It's easier to install the coilover starting from the top. |
 Brian used a pry bar to force...  Brian used a pry bar to force the A-arms to droop far enough to get the coilover out. |  |  It turned out that the lower...  It turned out that the lower mounting tabs were pinched in a little, preventing the Sway-A-Way rod end from sliding into place. This is where an adjustable wrench was employed to tweak the tabs open just far enough to get the S.A.W. into its new home and slide the mounting bolt through. |