after m. springs w/o after m. shocks good idea??? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

1MZ-FExle.s · 02-18-2003, 04:50 PM

i was finally thinking about getting eicachs. should i get a springs/shocks package or what? i have a gen4.5. has anyone got springs w/o shocks? will the shocks be shot within a year? drop will be 1.6 1.6 using solara prokits.

Luc · 02-18-2003, 05:14 PM

Get upgraded struts, since you are paying the same labor cost to have spring/struts installed, unless DIY. Since you are getting the Solara springs, those OEM won't last too long, and will be very bouncy. We just installed the TRD/Bilstein with Solara springs on a Gen4.5, and the finger gap(s) went from less than 2, 1, then "none" after settling. Imagine that on the OEM struts!!

CamrySpeaksJL · 02-18-2003, 05:17 PM

you should plan on getting aftermarket shocks, because your stock ones wont be able to handle the extra load of lower springs for very long, especially if they have lots of miles on em.

Mighty~Mart · 02-18-2003, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Luc
Get upgraded struts, since you are paying the same labor cost to have spring/struts installed, unless DIY. Since you are getting the Solara springs, those OEM won't last too long, and will be very bouncy. We just installed the TRD/Bilstein with Solara springs on a Gen4.5, and the finger gap(s) went from less than 2, 1, then "none" after settling. Imagine that on the OEM struts!!

Are the TRD/Blisten available for the Gen 5? by the way... what's DIY stand for?

1MZ-FExle.s · 02-18-2003, 11:01 PM

Do It Yourself! do any of you guys know shocks/struts? im not really into shocks, but i know koni, bilstein, and tokicos are good brands. but which are the least bouncy? and is the procedure doable w/o air tools?? cuz all i got is about 4 dumarses and a jack!

Luc · 02-19-2003, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mighty~Mart
Are the TRD/Blisten available for the Gen 5? by the way... what's DIY stand for?

Nope, they've been discontinued. Though I wouldn't be surprised if they fit without too many problems. DIY = Do It Yourself.

Luc · 02-19-2003, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1MZ-FExle.s
oo any of you guys know shocks/struts? im not really into shocks, but i know koni, bilstein, and tokicos are good brands. but which are the least bouncy? and is the procedure doable w/o air tools?? cuz all i got is about 4 dumarses and a jack!

IMO, here's the firmness scale from lowest to highest: OEM < KYB < Tokico < Koni <= Bilstein. You don't need any air tools, but I do recommend an electric impact wrench to take the nuts/bolts off the axle carriers and struts. The problem I see with using brute strength and break bar is that you may shake the car too hard and have it fall off the jack stands. Spraying some WD40 helps, but not a cure. Always take precautions since you don't want people to get hurt. Honestly, if you don't have the right tools, don't DIY.

yanks0114 · 02-19-2003, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mighty~Mart

Are the TRD/Blisten available for the Gen 5? by the way... what's DIY stand for?

Not available anymore but i can get you a GREAT deal on the tokicos. Check here. http://www.toyotanation.com/showthre...threadid=13411

1mz-fe - I would highly reccomend upgrading them both at the same time. For the amount of time it will take you to dissamble it all and put it back its just not worth it to have to do it twice. Plus you'll have even worse ride quality with a shortened (lowering) spring and a stock strut

1MZ-FExle.s · 02-19-2003, 09:45 PM

thanx for the insight guys, time to save up my milk money for a full setup!:p sounds like ill be getting eibachs and konis soon...

Luc · 02-19-2003, 10:20 PM

No Koni struts for Gen4/4.5 platform.

yanks0114 · 02-19-2003, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1MZ-FExle.s
thanx for the insight guys, time to save up my milk money for a full setup!:p sounds like ill be getting eibachs and konis soon...

why not get the full tokico and eibach setup. Afterall its the prefered combo by most people.

1MZ-FExle.s · 02-19-2003, 10:58 PM

according to Luc, tokicos aren't as firm so the ride would be slightly bumpier right? btw which are better: tokico yellows or blues? most of the struts that are $80USD or more for each are gas filled right? or oil filled...which ever is better...and how many ways adjustable do you REALLYneed?? i guess by now you can tell i dont kno anything...

1MZ-FExle.s · 02-19-2003, 11:41 PM

one last question, if i get solara springs, will i still get camry struts or can you mix and match? i found some tein S. Tech solara springs that drop 1.7(f) and 1.4(r) for 173.00

i thought tein was top of the line, why would it be so cheap? btw all solara lowering springs are compatible with gen4/gen4.5 cams right??? okay,okay maybe it was last couple of questions...though i have more...:p

Luc · 02-20-2003, 12:33 AM

The shocks are all gas filled, you can check with the manufacturer's website for more information. Only Tokicos available are the blues, never heard of yellows, but white Illuminas instead, which has adjustable damping, but not available on our platform, again.

You can fit any Solara/Gen4 springs on Gen4/Solara struts, which are the same. Tein are good products, but since they have to compete in a saturated market, they need to adjust the prices accordingly. Having a lower lowering spring set isn't always better, heck, I'm sure there are people out there who say that any type of lowering is just bad for the car in general. If you ever plan on getting a body kit and/or catback, you'd have to worry about scraping when you go over bumps when the car is very low. I know my cars would be snow plows here in Chicago if I did that. For the Gen4/4.5, the only readily available options for struts are KYB and Tokico, since the TRD are discontinued. The Tokico/Eibach combination is very good, comfort with performance. I'd probably had gone that route if I had not gotten the TRD/Bilstein struts.