Parts for your 2020 Toyota Land cruiser-Struts

2020 Toyota Land Cruiser: Struts aren’t used — here’s why

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser (J200 Series) doesn’t use MacPherson struts. Technical sources list a double-wishbone independent front suspension with coil springs and separate shock absorbers, plus a rear solid axle with a 4-link coil-spring layout. Because a strut is a structural suspension member that replaces an upper control arm (typical of MacPherson layouts), it isn’t part of the Land Cruiser’s design.

What the Land Cruiser runs up front is a coil-over shock on a double-wishbone arrangement (upper and lower control arms), which provides superior strength, camber control and articulation for heavy-duty, off-road work. Down the back, the live axle with trailing arms simply pairs coil springs with separate dampers — there’s no place for a strut there either. Many Australian and New Zealand models are also equipped with Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which hydraulically manages the sway bars for better wheel travel, KDSS doesn’t change the fact the vehicle uses shocks rather than struts.

Owners hunting for “front struts” for a 2020 Land Cruiser are actually looking for shock absorbers (dampers) and related hardware. Typical replacement and service items include:

• Front: shock absorbers, coil springs, top mounts/bearings, bushes, dust boots and bump stops, inspect upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints.
• Rear: shock absorbers, coil springs, trailing arm and Panhard rod bushes, inspect sway bar links and bushes.
• KDSS-equipped vehicles: sway bar hydraulic cylinders, lines and seals, follow the specified neutralisation procedure before any bar-related work.

When shocks are tired, owners may notice extra bouncing over corrugations, longer braking distances due to nose-dive, a choppy ride, or uneven tyre wear. Off-road touring, towing and heavy loads can accelerate wear, so a check at each service and after big trips is smart. Replacement is straightforward for a trained technician, but KDSS systems require special handling, and a wheel alignment is recommended after front-end work. If the vehicle has adaptive damping, calibration procedures in the workshop manual should be followed.

Technical references consulted: Toyota 200 Series New Car Features (NCF), 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Owner’s Manual and Repair Manual (J200), and Toyota Genuine Parts Catalogue, all of which specify a double-wishbone front and 4-link rear with separate shock absorbers — not MacPherson struts.

FAQs

Does the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser have struts?
No. It uses a double-wishbone front end with coil-over shock absorbers and a rear solid axle with separate shocks. The design doesn’t employ MacPherson struts.

What parts are replaced instead of struts on a 2020 Land Cruiser?
Typically the front and rear shock absorbers, coil springs, top mounts, and any worn bushes or ball joints. KDSS models may also need attention to sway bar hydraulic components, following the correct service procedure.

How often should shocks be replaced on a 2020 Land Cruiser in AU/NZ conditions?
There’s no fixed kilometre rule. Many vehicles see 80,000–120,000 km, but harsh tracks, towing and heavy loads can shorten that. Inspect at each service and after tough trips, replace if leaking, fading, or if ride and handling have deteriorated.