Notes on Tokico Struts... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

scdtrd · 11-14-2005, 10:48 AM

All,

Just wanted to give you my impressions of the Tokico struts I installed this weekend. Got started at 10:00am and me and my Toyota bud David were finished @ 2:30pm. Not too shabby. I used the stock springs. The 1st thing I noticed was the stability on the road. The new struts track the road much better. When I cross a rail road the rocking side to side and bounce is gone. In a turn, the Camry tracks flatter.... if not flat. I added the White line sway bar a while back. It did not have the "wham" effect I was looking for at the time.. but it DID help the body roll. NOW, with the new struts and the sway bar... NOW, I am getting what I was looking for! I checked the ride heighth, and it was unchanged. So, my impressions are a very strong POSITIVE impression of the Tokico struts. Ride comfort, road noise and performance were all addressed in a positive manner. Next on the list, is a replacement Walbro fuel pump. I was able to locate the proper "kit" the TCA324.

http://www.fuel-pumps.net/tca324.html

That is the one. Once I install. then I will add the ZEX 82021 kit. Whilst we were under the hood, we checked and I DO HAVE a return fuel system. So, this fuel pump will assist on the fuel starvation issues and the N2O delivery...

Anyway, I wanted to share my thoughts and imprressions!
SCDTRD

AVL92CAMRY · 11-14-2005, 01:45 PM

Couple of questions: Did you reuse the stock upper strut mounts? If so how many miles do you have on them?

If not: What kind of replacements did you get?

I'm getting ready to do this on my Cam, hence the questions.

Thanks,
Karl

scdtrd · 11-14-2005, 02:04 PM

Yes, I reused them. I have 55k miles on them, and they were in ok shape. The BOOTS on the other hand were dry rotted and in bad shape. Also, the rubber coil spring thing for the bottom of the coils were in need of replacement. So, my suggestion to you is....

Reuse the tops, but replace all other rubber items, they are cheap and just good to do while you have it apart.

Other than that, not a problem. take your time and align the arrows on the tops to the strut.

SCDTRD

camry300 · 11-14-2005, 06:52 PM

are you using tokico inserts right? Is it difficult to remove the old cartridge?

stir_fry_boy · 11-14-2005, 08:23 PM

I guess I was told that if you have over 80k then one should replace the upper mounts. What do you think about that?

BlueFusion6851 · 11-14-2005, 08:44 PM

Ok, this may seem like a wierd question but please bear with me

Is a strut/spring replacement something that a highschool mechanics class could maybe do?
I am curious b/c i'm pretty sure i'm on all origional struts and springs at 152,000 miles

***Knailgun*** · 11-14-2005, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueFusion6851

Ok, this may seem like a wierd question but please bear with me

Is a strut/spring replacement something that a highschool mechanics class could maybe do?

yeah...more than likely, but personally, I wouldn't trust kids with my baby.....my opinion

pope_face · 11-14-2005, 09:49 PM

Hmmm... my shocks are kinda... well, shot. They squeak and thud and definately don't absorb the impacts any more... however, I do have a quick, if not possibly strange, question on shocks/springs. I need to change out the shocks for sure. In fact, I could probably use a new suspension system. I do want to eliminate the body roll for the most part, but I don't want to drop the car. I'd like to keep it stock height. I'm really agressive when it comes to driving, and I do a lot of "urban offroading", namely speedbumps, potholes, and the occasional curb. The Cam has a tendancy to bottom out on some speedbumps at low speeds. It could just be my un-absorbing shocks, but I'm considering a skidplate eventually. Anyways, what I want to know is what kind of shocks or shock/spring combos can I get that will give me a firm ride but won't drop the car? And stabilizers, what kind should I get, how hard are they to install, and how much would a whole setup cost, roughly?

Philly

EDIT: Ok, I just realized that this is a Gen 3 thread and I've got a Gen 4... but I'll assume that at least the shock question would still be applicable... anyone?

Mayne Event · 11-14-2005, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pope_face

Hmmm... my shocks are kinda... well, shot. They squeak and thud and definately don't absorb the impacts any more... however, I do have a quick, if not possibly strange, question on shocks/springs. I need to change out the shocks for sure. In fact, I could probably use a new suspension system. I do want to eliminate the body roll for the most part, but I don't want to drop the car. I'd like to keep it stock height. I'm really agressive when it comes to driving, and I do a lot of "urban offroading", namely speedbumps, potholes, and the occasional curb. The Cam has a tendancy to bottom out on some speedbumps at low speeds. It could just be my un-absorbing shocks, but I'm considering a skidplate eventually. Anyways, what I want to know is what kind of shocks or shock/spring combos can I get that will give me a firm ride but won't drop the car? And stabilizers, what kind should I get, how hard are they to install, and how much would a whole setup cost, roughly?

Philly

EDIT: Ok, I just realized that this is a Gen 3 thread and I've got a Gen 4... but I'll assume that at least the shock question would still be applicable... anyone?

Your only bet for some good springs for your model car would be some Eibach or some H&R. They WILL drop your car but only about an inch, HARDLY noticable. The H&R's will drop it a little more closer to an inch and a half but they are about 220$ the Eibachs are closer to 250$ but will only drop it about an inch. Heres a link

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/S...lar=&brand=all

pope_face · 11-14-2005, 10:15 PM

Cool, thanks... I tried the search function as well but it didn't get me too far...

Philly

scdtrd · 11-15-2005, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camry300

are you using tokico inserts right? Is it difficult to remove the old cartridge?

No, I did not get the inserts, I replaced the whole strut. I checked, and my Camry did NOT have inserts.
BTW, I checked the stock strut when I got home and it was bad! I mean, I pushed down on the rod and it went down with almost NO force, and CREPT back.

SCDTRD

***DAMON*** · 11-15-2005, 11:53 AM

tokico is the way to go no doubt... I love mine so far. H&R springs are very nice as well, the drop isnt terribly noticeable and there is still about a 3 finger gap but the tradeoff of form for function makes them well worth it

Damon

barthmonster · 11-15-2005, 05:02 PM

My '94 got new KYB GR-2's all the way around and it RAISED the car a tad. Also the handling is very nice, better cornering than new. I put new KYB mounts in back, and Gabriel mounts up front (cheaper). I re-used the lower spring rubber, but it was in bad shape, if its cheap I'd replace it. Also new front strut bearings, also KYB

'94 233K miles.

toyboyracer · 11-15-2005, 05:10 PM

Anyways, what I want to know is what kind of shocks or shock/spring combos can I get that will give me a firm ride but won't drop the car?

Just order STANDARD HEIGHT Springs from any of the after market manufactures !

Yes they sell LOWERED Springs but do stock height springs as well...

And just by getting new springs and TOUGHER shocks body roll will be almost minimal compared to the stock setup !

pope_face · 11-15-2005, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Just order STANDARD HEIGHT Springs from any of the after market manufactures!

Well, you know, that makes perfect sense...

I found a place (kinda) locally that sells Tokico Blues and Eibach Pro kits, so I'll call them tommorow and ask about pricing for the whole deal. The thing is, they also sell Tokico kits, with struts and springs. Would there be any benefit to either combo? I've gotta look into getting the whole wheel area redone. It probably doesn't need it, but I'm at 147,XXX kM and would feel better having everything replaced. Along with a new set of wheels... but yes, Tokico/Eibach or entire Tokico kit?

Philly