Parts for your 2017 Toyota Land cruiser-Struts

Are struts used on the 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser (200 Series)?

Short answer: no, struts aren’t used on the 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series. According to Toyota’s own technical literature—specifically the Toyota New Car Features (NCF) manual for the J200 platform and the Toyota Repair Manual for the same generation—the front suspension is an independent double wishbone with coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers, and the rear is a solid axle with a 4-link setup and separate shocks. A MacPherson strut (commonly just called a “strut”) is not part of this design.

Why that matters: in a MacPherson strut system, the strut assembly is a structural member that locates the wheel, replacing the upper control arm. The Land Cruiser 200 has both upper and lower control arms up front, so the damper is a coilover shock, not a structural strut. Many parts catalogues casually label coilover shocks as “struts”, but that’s not technically correct for the 200 Series.

Why Toyota didn’t use struts on the 2017 Land Cruiser comes down to engineering priorities confirmed in Toyota’s NCF and service documentation:

• Durability and load capacity: Double wishbones and a solid rear axle are proven for heavy touring, towing, and harsh tracks.
• Geometry control: Wishbones keep better camber control through long suspension travel, improving tyre contact on- and off-road.
• Packaging: The V8, front differential, and long-travel control arms fit well with a coilover shock layout.
• System compatibility: The 200 Series commonly uses systems like KDSS, the chosen layout integrates well with these stabiliser and damping strategies.
• Serviceability: Shocks can often be replaced without the same level of structural involvement required by true struts.

So while people may search for “2017 Toyota Land Cruiser struts,” the correct parts to look for are front coilover shock absorber assemblies and rear shock absorbers, plus associated mounts and bushes. During servicing, technicians will typically inspect the shocks for oil seepage, dented bodies, perished top mounts, and bushing wear, check upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints, look at sway bar links and bushes (especially on KDSS-equipped vehicles), and verify alignment after any suspension work. In Aussie and New Zealand conditions—corrugations, towing, and outback kilometres—dampers can fade earlier, condition-based replacement is smart, with many owners reassessing shocks around the 80,000–120,000 km mark or sooner if ride control drops off, stopping distances feel longer, or there’s choppiness over ripples.

When replacing shocks, go for quality OE or reputable aftermarket units rated for your load, tyres, and accessories. Tighten suspension fasteners at ride height, and get a proper wheel alignment. If the vehicle has KDSS, follow the correct lift and support procedure to avoid preloading the system. That’s the sort of attention that keeps a 200 Series tracking straight and riding well for years.

Popular questions about 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser “struts”

Does the 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser have front struts?

No. It uses a double wishbone front end with coilover shock absorbers, not MacPherson struts.

In a true strut setup, the strut is structural and replaces the upper control arm.

The 200 Series retains both upper and lower control arms, so the damper isn’t a strut.

Toyota’s New Car Features manual for the J200 clearly specifies double wishbone front suspension.

The Toyota Repair Manual also lists separate shock absorbers and coil springs up front.

Many parts sites loosely call coilover shocks “struts”, which causes confusion.

If you’re shopping, look for front shock absorber assemblies and top mounts.

Rear suspension is a solid axle with a 4-link and separate shock absorbers.

This layout prioritises durability, travel, and camber control off-road.

It also packages well around the V8 and front differential hardware.

So, for a 2017 Land Cruiser, you won’t be replacing “struts” as such.

You’ll be maintaining and replacing shocks, mounts, and suspension bushes instead.

What should be replaced instead of struts on a 2017 Land Cruiser?

Front coilover shock absorbers and their top mounts are the usual wear items.

Rear shock absorbers also cop a hiding on corrugations and can fade or leak.

Inspect upper and lower control arm bushes and front ball joints for play.

Check sway bar links and bushes, including KDSS components if fitted.

Look at rear 4-link bushes and the panhard rod bush for cracking or movement.

Top mounts can perish and cause knocks over sharp bumps.

If ride quality is floaty or braking dives more than usual, shocks may be tired.

After shock replacement, book a wheel alignment to set camber/caster/toe.

Torque suspension bolts at normal ride height to avoid bush pre-load.

Choose quality dampers matched to accessories, loads, and touring needs.

On high-kilometre 4WDs, condition-based replacement beats fixed intervals.

Regular inspections keep tyres wearing evenly and the rig stable at speed.