Shocks and Springs YET AGAIN.

[LynchburgCSI]

So. This summer is gonna be full of customization. The first issue to deal with: SUSPENSION.

Okay. I've done all my reading and searching and FAQing all over toyota nation. So now i'm gonna ask for input.

Car info: 96 Camry LE 5s-fe, Japan built in Jan (i think) of 1995, non-cali, mostly mechanically stock.

Right now I'm looking at the Tokico HP shocks paired with the Tenzo-R springs. Yes, I know the Tenzo-R's are "discontinued". I'll get to that. Anyways:

- For intense springs, I would go with the Tenzo-R springs if you want THE MOST drop you can possibly get, however keep in mind that they are discontinued so you will have to buy them off someone else

I'm going for the most drop I can possibly get on my 96 5s-fe. Currently I'm still on the 14" steelies but I plan to move to a 17" or 18" wheel/tire setup later this summer. Any problems with the hieght of this drop? And it is a 2"/2" front/rear drop, right?

- For struts, i would go with the Tokicos unless your car is still a family car ... they provide extra stiffness, and are great for complementing lowering springs -- the KYB GR2's are probably your best bet if you want to retain a stock feel but wish to lower your car

I'm thinking the Tokicos are gonna be the best for me. I don't wanna get killed on the harshness or ride quality. I'll be driving around in central virginia, and most of the roads are decent. (Right eyeball? Correct me if setup won't workout.) I'd also consider the Koni's, but I haven't been able to find any online.

Okay reference time.
Tenzo-R Springs (Part# TLS2192) [$148.38 shipped]

Tokico HP Shocks (Part#'s HB3179, HB3180, HB3181, HB3182) [$372.00 shipped]

Total: $520.38 BUT what else do I need for install? Any little rubber parts or what not? Also... i need to check and see if I need servicable shocks or not.

by the way... who's red camry on page 5 on this thread? what suspension setup?

[t3chnique]

that red cam is Venoms car, he was on K-Sport coilovers before he go into the accident.

Hes selling his coils now for $500 + shipping in the classifieds.

if your gonna spend $520, might as well go for his coilovers and spend a little more.

and you arent gonna need serviceable shocks.

[LynchburgCSI]

Originally Posted by t3chnique

that red cam is Venoms car, he was on K-Sport coilovers before he go into the accident.

Hes selling his coils now for $500 + shipping in the classifieds.

If your gonna spend $520, might as well go for his coilovers and spend a little more.

and you arent gonna need serviceable shocks.

thanks for the confirmation on the non-servicable shocks.

I saw those in the FS section for $500, but they're used with 10k miles on them if I remember correctly. Plus the fact that I don't think coilovers are gonna be good as far as ride quality goes. How low was that drop on his car?

[bigbird]

it will definatly help if ya use tokicos with thoes springs. but ride quality on the tenzos even with tokico shocks will suck.

whether the wheels fit depends on tire size, wheel offset and wheel width.

[LynchburgCSI]

Originally Posted by bigbird

it will definatly help if ya use tokicos with thoes springs. but ride quality on the tenzos even with tokico shocks will suck.

whether the wheels fit depends on tire size, wheel offset and wheel width.

describe "ride quality will suck". Is it gonna be worth it to give up 0.2" inches front and back to use another type of spring, such as the sprints or whatever the other 1.8"/1.8" drop springs are?

[cruisn76]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

thanks for the confirmation on the non-servicable shocks.

I saw those in the FS section for $500, but they're used with 10k miles on them if I remember correctly. Plus the fact that I don't think coilovers are gonna be good as far as ride quality goes. How low was that drop on his car?

Coilovers will definitely not be a conformable ride. I don`t mind myself but most will if driving in the city. Mind you, I live in Toronto and the roads here are pretty bad in some areas.

I ran KYB`s and H&R springs all of last year and I have to say I was very happy for the first 3-4 months, but as time went on, the KYB`s just don`t hold up. Very very floaty and was getting a bit unsafe since the car was not holding the road when going over a dip or bump during a turn, and most will tell you that with this strut and lowering springs. If I were to do it again I would go Tokico and H&R hands down.

As for the whole suspension, don`t forget you have other items to worry about like the strut mounts, and optional rear sway bars.

[t3chnique]

^^Thanks for that statement crusin, I was almost about to get KYBs but now; Im def. going for Tokicos.

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

thanks for the confirmation on the non-servicable shocks.

I saw those in the FS section for $500, but they're used with 10k miles on them if I remember correctly. Plus the fact that I don't think coilovers are gonna be good as far as ride quality goes. How low was that drop on his car?

his car is at least 2.5" down, those are 15"s and he's that low.

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

describe "ride quality will suck". Is it gonna be worth it to give up 0.2" inches front and back to use another type of spring, such as the sprints or whatever the other 1.8"/1.8" drop springs are?

IMO, no Sprints are just gonna be worse because they are said to sag over time.

go for Tenzos

[eyeball96]

Originally Posted by cruisn76

Coilovers will definitely not be a conformable ride. I don`t mind myself but most will if driving in the city. Mind you, I live in Toronto and the roads here are pretty bad in some areas.

I ran KYB`s and H&R springs all of last year and I have to say I was very happy for the first 3-4 months, but as time went on, the KYB`s just don`t hold up. Very very floaty and was getting a bit unsafe since the car was not holding the road when going over a dip or bump during a turn, and most will tell you that with this strut and lowering springs. If I were to do it again I would go Tokico and H&R hands down.

As for the whole suspension, don`t forget you have other items to worry about like the strut mounts, and optional rear sway bars.

X10...Tho my Kyb's are holding up just fine, I prefer the ride and handling of the Tokico's and H&R's that were on Birds Coupe.

The KYB's on the 96 will be replaced with Tokico's when they wear out.

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

describe "ride quality will suck". Is it gonna be worth it to give up 0.2" inches front and back to use another type of spring, such as the sprints or whatever the other 1.8"/1.8" drop springs are?

the ride wil be weird. the bound and rebound of the tokico shocks will be failry stiff BUT because the springs are soo soft there will be alot of travle. which will also ware out the tokicos a little faster since they are not shocks designed to be used with a large drop. also because the springs are soft, cornering wont be as good as if you used somthign witha better spring rate. this is the case with, i believe, most of the springs with a drop lower then 1.6"(tein S techs are the exception i know of).

[SaganGathering]

if you want THE MOST drop you can possibly get

Q1: What does it mean: Drop? Does this refer to how low the car body rests over the tires, or how far the suspension changes (up/down) when you go over a hole or bump?

Q2: Why would some people find "a lot of drop" to be preferable? I already scuff the front and bottom of my Camry on far too many driveways.

Be kind to the car noob.

[LynchburgCSI]

okay. Tokicos it is. No doubts there.

now, springs are the only thing that make the lowering difference right? ie- KYB's+ H&R's are the same height as Tokicos+H&R's? If that's the case, I really would be okay with eyeball's ride height (below) Although, he does have a V6 COUPE...i have the I4 SEDAN.


I suppose H&R's are gonna be the best bet if all that I've said above is true. Like I said, I'm prolly gonna end up eventually getting a body kit and 17" or 18" wheels. I know that's kinda vague. Already have the TRD sway bar.

ALSO: What else do I need for self install of shocks and springs (new end links, rubber parts, spring compressers, etc)? What parts can I re-use?

[N35QU!K]

Originally Posted by SaganGathering

Q1: What does it mean: Drop? Does this refer to how low the car body rests over the tires, or how far the suspension changes (up/down) when you go over a hole or bump?

Q2: Why would some people find "a lot of drop" to be preferable? I already scuff the front and bottom of my Camry on far too many driveways.

Be kind to the car noob.

Drop refers to the ride height of your car, or how high the car itself sits above the ground. The mount of suspension change under heavy conditions i believe is the shock bound/rebound (not totally sure about that one).

A lot of drop is preferable for people who prefer the sportier look, and it also helps with handling performance as well. Since the car's center of gravity is closer to the ground, it will tend to lean less under heavy cornering. However too much drop can also prove to be undesireable for when going over speedbumps or going up steep driveways, especially with a lot of people in the car.

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

I suppose H&R's are gonna be the best bet if all that I've said above is true. Like I said, I'm prolly gonna end up eventually getting a body kit and 17" or 18" wheels. I know that's kinda vague. Already have the TRD sway bar.

ALSO: What else do I need for self install of shocks and springs (new end links, rubber parts, spring compressers, etc)? What parts can I re-use?

When I did my install last July, I was able to re-use all of the rubber insulators from the stock setup. While fitment for the lower insulator is a but funky, it works just fine from my experience, however, I am planning on getting new lower insulators for the front. The lower insulator is the rubber piece that sits between the bottom of the spring and the strut's bottom spring mount.

As for the body kit, though you didn't ask for it, my advice is to stay away from anything too major, especially if you don't have anything major going on under the hood. Additionally, the 1.2" drop of H&R springs might not do it as much justice as more aggressive lowering options. But that's just me, heh.

['_']

^^N35QU!K, slamming your car does make it hard or impossible in some cases when going over bumps/driveways, but it does negatively affect handling too. You want to be low, but not slammed when you take it to a track. So to sum it up, slammed is great for appearance and show cars if that's what you have in mind. Lowered (not dumped) with the proper settings (is great for tracking, autoXing, etc) but may not look as good as a slammed car in some people's opinions. So it all depends on what you're looking to achieve.

BTW, I have the Eibach's with KYB's that I've been running for 3+ years and everything seems to be fine so far. I'm content with the handling too.

[LynchburgCSI]

I swear, someone just buy me springs so I can stop over-researching this. Anyways, I guess I'm looking for the perfect 50/50 balance between dropping the car low and ride quality. (I found a thread that had all the info of the springs and shocks [not the one in the DIY section] but I lost it. ) I'm kinda at a loss for springs now. Basically I want the 50/50 quality ride/height think with NO SAG possibility.....I think.

[eyeball96]

The H&R "sports", not the OE sports, lower the car 1.3 front and 1.25 rear, (info from tireracks web site)

Eibachs 1.0 front and rear

I swear, someone just buy me springs so I can stop over-researching this. Anyways, I guess I'm looking for the perfect 50/50 balance between dropping the car low and ride quality. (I found a thread that had all the info of the springs and shocks [not the one in the DIY section] but I lost it. ) I'm kinda at a loss for springs now. Basically I want the 50/50 quality ride/height think with NO SAG possibility.....I think.

I have some "sprints" I'll give ya, PRE-SAGGED!!