Rear struts and springs

[Chuck]

I have a stock 03 that I use as a “mini” farm truck. It desperately needs new tires and have read all of the posts and settled on the grabber AT. I haul up to 60 gallons of water 30 miles to the farm each day. As you can guess I need to replace the struts and springs as well. My plan was to grab 05 hardware to gain the 1in lift and maybe extra capacity. My dilemma is that I cannot find any struts that are just for the 05. They either cover 03-05 or just 03.

Is anyone familiar with the Gabriel struts? They cover 03-05 but have the longest expanded/compressed length (18.93/16.73). I’ve read the Monroes are unsatisfactory and the lengths are less (17.75/11.80). My other option is the dealer but they want $140 each. Does anyone have a good option?

For new springs I would like to add extra weight capacity but don’t think that is going to be an option. If I have read older post correctly there is not a difference in the 03 and 05 springs. If this is correct then I just need to get the cheapest. So far I have only found the dealer to have them for $80 each. Does anyone have a better source that will work for me?

[theluckyone17]

I just went through this with my '06. Broke the shaft on the driver's side rear shock, which wasn't pretty. I picked up a KYB part number off of the forums here and ordered them; turned out to be for the '03, as the perch height is incorrect and dropped my rear end by about an inch.

The only aftermarkets specific to '04-'06 I've been able to find have been Monroe, which have a bad reputation online, so I broke down and ordered them from the dealer. The funny part is that the OEM shocks are manufactured by KYB. I don't remember the part number off the top of my head. Assuming I remember, I'll check when I get home tonight and post the part number here.

[Chuck]

Thanks for the reply. It confirms what I was finding.

[Buck Rogers]

I ordered OEM online, all 4 for about $425, mine is an 05, Ill look up the part # later tonight


Buck

[Buck Rogers]

KYB. Part# for rears. 04 thru 06 20465AE22A front left 20310AE45A , and front right 2031AE44A original ride height