ddplion

All this info has me on over load.


Why spend the extra on TRD or Koni?

Best cost effective drop/comfort/performance?

(and I know tht comfort and performance conflict)

Opinions please...

07specTC

From my experience, the Tokico blues are basically aftermarket shocks that are like OEM in ride quality but can withstand the extra stress of a lowered car.
Tokico makes Illuminas and DSpecs model struts that are on par with Koni yellows; I don't know if they make them for Scions.
The Koni yellows are probably going to give you a stiffer, less OEM like ride comfort.

TinmanTC

I would like to know this as well..

What kind of springs do you have? I have TRD's and the common concensus is that if you have TRD springs, get the TRD dampers.

I would like to know Tokico vs TRD for TRD springs.

Not interested in KONI due to the modifaction you have to do.

07specTC

Springs and dampers are made to certain specs (like spring rates) and the same kind of parts from different companies might have different specs.
Different combos can affect how your car handles and feels.

The TRDs were probably made for each other which is why people recommend matching them together.

tCeeder

iTrader: (1)

watching....

i'm planning on upgrading my stock shocks & struts this summer and am also looking for good aftermarket replacements that can handle the H-tech drop, i don't need adjustables however. tokico blues are sound good....

robtheqb2003

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the koni's are universal and you can adjust the ride quality. Tokicos were made for roughly a 1.5" drop and are gas filled , at least the hp ones are. TRDs are filled with with some other gas and were made for a 1.25" drop (trd)...

sciontcnj

i have S techs and i plan on getting the Tokicos since im not tracking my car and im doing the Hotchkis Sway set as well..

07specTC

All three struts can be dropped to whatever height you want but each has it's own limitations on how low of a drop it can handle without blowing.
The numbers you posted could be used as a general guideline for "safe drops."

I'd rate them as Koni yellows > TRD > Tokico blues > Stock.

I didn't vote because the Tokico blues and the Koni yellows are on different levels.

I'd go with Koni yellows and Ground Controls since they seem to be made for each other.

ddplion

07specTC

I have not purchased springs yet:

I am leaning toward the:
Vogtland Front1.6 Back1.2 Front 171 Back 321

But I am not sure yet. I want an even gap in the front and the back so Hotkis (2 front and 1.7 back is also on my list)

I called vogtland and they have a "suspension kit" that comes with koni struts and they are designed to go together.

07specTC

Koni sometimes makes different (custom) seats/inserts (the dish the springs rest on) for specific applications so Vogtland might be right.
Call Koni and ask if they make them for Vogtland.

I forgot to add that Konis are rebuildable so you can get them fixed if you ever blow them.
I don't think the Tokicos are.
Not sure about the TRDs.

robtheqb2003

The drops I listed are the "safe" drops which the struts/shocks are made for. I am going to be putting hotchkis springs on tokico struts which are theoretically lower than what is recommended. My main problem with the Konis are how expensive they are. You might as well get Tein Basics for the price. Tokicos and TRDs are def not rebuildable, so if you are looking for that you should go with Konis...

ddplion

robtheqb2003 .... you get some props too


Hotchkis and tokico is actually on of my options.

What do you think of the 1.7 front drop and the 2.0 rear drop?

I keep getting different feed back on this .... isn't the front wheel gap higher then the back? My friend has Hotchkis springs and his look level.





I don't know what to make of this.

One of you said "I'd rate them as Koni yellows > TRD > Tokico blues > Stock. "

and then another "Tokicos were made for roughly a 1.5" drop and are gas filled , at least the hp ones are. TRDs are filled with with some other gas and were made for a 1.25" drop (trd)..."



They make this difficult. It is hard to find specific info and I know that both of probably have good evidence to back it up. These are rather big investments and it's not like going to a shoe store where you can just try them all on.

Thank you very much everyone for your help.

tCeeder

iTrader: (1)

^ if it helps in your spring decisions....i have the Tein H-techs, they list 1.9 front and 1.5 rear drop, and yes my front end was jacked up way higher than the rear which is why i got these springs, and now they sit perfectly level. the ride quality is great:



this summer i'll be getting the Tokico Blues to replace the stock stuff.

robtheqb2003

All hotchkis settle slightly different i guess. I've seen even drops, and the raked look like htechs. My drop is 1.5 finger gap in the front and 1 finger gap in the back which is to spec. I dunno. Anything under 2" get tokicos and you will be fine. Seriously, hotchkis or trd last on stock struts for like 20000 miles and they are made for stock springs. a net .5 or .2 inch drop is not going to kill their life span unless autox or some seriously bad roads...

CSOCSO

iTrader: (1)

i got tokicos.. better than stocks!

koni might be the best.. but if someone wants to get springs + konis then its almost cheaper to get coils...

if you NEEEEED to change your struts/shocks then go with tokicos.. if you have money and you want better performance then get coilovers...

for the money of the konis you can get tokicos+ rear sway bar.. i think the results will be much much better rather than just getting the koni yellows.

ddplion

OK....

I have 47k on my car. The ride is still good but I can feel that the struts are getting just a little loose. If I'm going to pay or spend the time then I want to change the entire suspension.

I don't know really how long strut shocks should go. I figure that if they are a little loose at 47k then if I lower it then their going to get a lot worse quick.

I believe that "raked" means the front is higher then the back. But most of the pix I have seen with htechs look pretty good and level.

tCeeder: what size rims? I can see that there is a large tein following... must be a reason.

CSOCSO

iTrader: (1)

you gonna know when the times come to change... they gonna be noise and uncomfortable..

yeah.. if you dont have aftermarket springs and sturts then you should get coilovers!!! but you could save like 2-300 dollars with the tokico+aftermarket springs...

ddplion

CO are attractive but I'm a daily driver and I drive for work.

So far I have narrowed it down to:

CO:

1.Progess
2.HKS

strut/spring: Tokico and...

1. Vogtland
2. Hotchkis
3. Tien H-tech


I live up in the northeast. Rough roads, snow and I drive for work. Comfort is key!

lltysonll

Just changed my stock to tokico HP for $299.00 and love them no more rough noisy wooken pirate ship noise. Although the damn sway bar still makes noise. Im on s-techs and HP and now when I drive I barely feel the bumps. Its a overall better drive close to stock.

ddplion

what sway bar?

AND

how many miles were on the stock struts?

AND

what springs? When did you change? etc

oh yeah... and is there more then one kind of Tokico?

Tokico HP ......???????????????