Parts for your 2020 Toyota Hilux-Struts

2020 Toyota HiLux Struts: What’s Fitted and What That Means for Servicing

Technical sources for the AN120/AN130-series 2020 Toyota HiLux — including Toyota’s Repair Manual (TIS), the New Car Features publication for this generation, and the Owner’s Manual suspension sections — specify a front double-wishbone independent suspension with a coil spring and separate shock absorber, and a rear rigid axle with leaf springs and separate shock absorbers. None of these documents refer to MacPherson-type struts on this model. In other words, the 2020 HiLux doesn’t run struts, it uses shocks (dampers) at both ends.

Why no struts? A MacPherson strut is a structural member that combines the damper with the steering knuckle to locate the wheel. The HiLux’s front end uses unequal-length control arms (double wishbone), where the shock absorber and coil spring manage damping and ride height, but the arms and knuckle handle wheel location. That’s a more robust arrangement for a body-on-frame ute that tows, carries loads, and sees corrugations and off‑road tracks.

• Durability: Double-wishbone + separate shock absorbs rough-country hits without the damper carrying structural loads like a strut would.
• Load and towing stability: Leaf-spring rear with separate shocks suits payload and trailer control.
• Serviceability and tuning: Easier to swap shocks or springs and tune for touring or work setups.

What to service instead of “struts”? Owners and parts stores sometimes call the front coilover shock a “strut”, but it isn’t a strut in the MacPherson sense. For a 2020 HiLux, the focus is on shocks and their supporting hardware:

1. Inspect front and rear shocks every 20,000–30,000 km for oil seepage, dented bodies, worn bushes, and reduced rebound control. Replace in axle pairs if performance drops or leaks show.
2. Check front control-arm bushes, ball joints, and the stabiliser bar links and bushes for play or cracking, replace as needed to keep steering precise.
3. Evaluate front coil springs for sag or uneven ride height, match spring rates to accessories (bull bar, winch) to avoid topping out.
4. At the rear, inspect leaf packs, shackles, pins, and U-bolts, retorque after heavy off-road work or load changes.
5. After any shock, spring, or bush replacement, book a wheel alignment to protect tyres and keep it tracking straight.

If someone’s quoting “HiLux struts”, they likely mean front shocks or complete coilover assemblies. Choosing quality shocks matched to the HiLux’s use — daily driving, touring, or towing — will sharpen control, reduce brake dive, and help the tyres hold on better across Aussie and Kiwi roads and tracks.

Popular questions about 2020 Toyota HiLux “struts”

Does a 2020 Toyota HiLux have struts?

No. It has a front double-wishbone setup with a coil spring and separate shock absorber, and a rear leaf-spring axle with separate shocks. Technical Toyota documents for the AN120/130 platform list shocks, not MacPherson struts.

What should owners service instead of struts on a 2020 HiLux?

Focus on the shocks, control-arm bushes, ball joints, stabiliser links, and rear leaf-spring hardware. Check for leaks, play, and wear every 20,000–30,000 km and align the front end after suspension work.

Can aftermarket “strut” kits be fitted to a 2020 HiLux?

Aftermarket kits often mean complete front coilover shock assemblies, not true struts. They’re fine when properly engineered and matched to weight and ride height. Any lift should be certified where required and followed by alignment and headlight aim checks.