Hi Scotty,

I need some advice choosing front struts for my 2007 Toyota Sequoia SR5 4WD with 230k miles. The truck is still running the original front struts, but the rubber bushings are torn and need replacement.

I mostly use the Sequoia as a daily driver on regular roads, but many of the roads around me have bumps and potholes. I also go off-road occasionally, so I want something that can handle both comfort and durability.

Right now I’m trying to decide between the Bilstein B8 5100 and the KYB Excel-G front struts. The problem is that I keep seeing mixed reviews about both:

• Bilstein 5100 owners say the ride becomes noticeably stiffer than stock.
• KYB Excel-G owners report that the front sits about 1¾ inches lower than stock, which worries me because I don’t want the front end to sag even more.

Since my suspension is completely original with high mileage, I’m not sure which direction makes the most sense for my use case.

I also wanted to ask about the front coils/springs:

• Can I safely reuse my original factory coils with 230k miles?
• If I go with the Bilstein 5100s, should I replace the coils with new OEM or aftermarket ones?
• Do the KYB Excel-G struts work best with new coils as well?
• Would worn factory springs be the reason some people say the KYBs sit lower than stock?

For those who have experience with either setup on a first-gen Sequoia:

• Which one would you recommend?
• How bad is the stiffness on the 5100 for daily driving?
• Does the KYB really lower the front that much?
• If new coils are recommended, which ones would you suggest for mostly daily driving with occasional off-road use?

Any advice or long-term experience would really help. Thanks!