Installing shock absorbers on 2004 tacoma?

Rear shocks- you just have to unbolt and bolt in the new ones.

The front suspension has Struts- to change those you need to:

AT home: with vehicle on jack stands, remove-wheel, disconnect swaybar end links, unbolt upper control arm, install a set of strut compressors(avail. at auto stores or habor frieght) on coil spring. With the spring compressed, unbolt the upper than lower strut mounts. The strut should drop down enough for you to tilt it out toward you. You might have to use a prybar to push the lower control arm down to get more clearance. leave strut compressor on, remove upper spring pearch and SLOWLY release the compressor so that you don't get hurt by a flying spring. put spring on new strut and reverse procedure.