[Jas12682]

Im lookings at the toytech lift, it comes with the coils and spacers but not shocks. Im not very Suspension savy and i was just wondering what the difference was between struts and shocks. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Crotalus]

Both are motion-dampening in function. However, shocks only perform that function and are separate from the other suspension components - springs, housing, etc. Struts on the otherhand have all of these components together into one unit.

 

[zombie 911]

Just what Crotalus said... your FJ has struts in the front and shocks in the rear..

 

[ATXFJ]

FJ has a non-adjustable coilover shock not a strut.

The top of the spindle/steering knuckle on cars bolts to the bottom of a strut. These cars usually only have lower control arms not upper and lower.

 

[ToyTec Lifts]

Strut suspensions do not have an upper ball joint or control arm. The upper strut mount turns as does the entire strut assembly, replacing the need for the upper control arm and upper ball joint, so strut suspensions are cheaper to manufacture and work great on cars and vehicles that do not need as much suspension travel as 4x4 off road vehicles do.

The FJ has a coil-over shock setup stock, it is non adjustable and spring rates of non adjustable coil-overs cannot be compared to spring rates of adjustable coilover's because the spring rate of any adjustable coilover will be different depending on the preload of the coil.
Aftermarket coilovers are adjustable, normally add some travel, shock dampening, spring rates, flex, ride, front weight capacity and desired lift. They are different but look similar in design.
The FJ does not have a strut suspension. :clap: