Need everyones opinions on Spring/Shocks combo's please

[Lafiro]

So my shocks are dead on my car.
Please don't try selling anything to me just yet, as I plan on leaving my job as of July 4th, hate it. Got to worry more about finishing college and starting my career, so I won't have money unless the GF buys this for me. Hasn't yet obviously lol.

So as of now, I have the TRD springs. At times, I love the ride, but because the shocks are dead, every pothole or bump, is a hard impact/makes the car feel like its bouncing around. Lots os small hills/bumps and the tires feel like they are coming off the ground causing the car not to keep full traction at higher speeds(50+mph)

I live in NYC, and every road/every highway is hell. I can not take the grand central parkway with the car because its turned into hell, with severe drops and harsh impacts on every single overpass. The LIE from exits 29 to 19, also has the same problem, not as bad, just bad bumps every 50-100feet. Making another harsh impact causing the tires to jump up.

My question to everyone that has changed from a stock ride is as follows:

1) What do you think I should do; Should I get the strusts and shocks to improve the ride?
2) Should I eventually go with TRD strusts and shocks?
3)Should I eventually go with Tokico(forget the spelling) strusts and shock?
4) Should I maybe change out the springs to something else and try different strusts/shocks?
5) I am not looking for the softest ride, although after riding in BMW's and Merc's, they all seem to have VERY nice suspentions, soft on the impact, and very stiff on the turns. I wish I had that on the Yaris.

Please give me your opinions on what should be done, because Im getting sick of the ride quality and I forgot how it was when the shocks were new/either way now there are 10times the # of putholes and bumps because the city isnt fixing anything. I also don't want to end up going with TRD strusts and shocks one day if this will only cause the ride to have an even worse impact on all the bumps and potholes I was just describing, you know.

I would appreciate it, thank you all.

[gwasabi]

tokico shocks

[schleppy]

I'm going with TRD springs and Tokico Blues, and a good alignment. For my purposes that should keep me happy for a while.

[MUSKOKA800]

TRD all the way. You can't beat multiple components engineered to work together as a package for our specific application.
My sedan handles like on rails, even with the weak OEM (Goodyear LS) rubber. The ride quality is firm but certainly not uncomfortable. I am at one with the road, every crack, which can be good or bad depending on your tolerance level and willingness to compromise some comfort in favour of enhanced performance.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

I have the TRD's, but with the Tein S.Tech's. A bit harsh on the bumps, but it's not so bad around my area. Part of the freeway here (one time) made my wipers turn on (yeah, the vertical forces was that bad that it made the wiper switch go down to the on position).

[Lafiro]

Yeah had that happen a long time ago, and thats what I DONT want right now.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Yeah had that happen a long time ago, and thats what I DONT want right now.

I'd get the adjustable shocks (can't remember which right now, but was it the HTS?), that way you can set it to soft for daily driving, and firm for the track).

[regal]

The adjustable FTS are way expensive for this guys needs amd there ain't a spring made that can keep up withit. Get the TRD springs save $100 and buy the Tokico Blues instead of the TRD shocks. Its a great firm performance street driving package (w/ a TRD rear sway bar)

[Lafiro]

I'm starting to get the feeling that most of you' just change shocks to have a more firm ride. And yeah, this car is not worth me spending any more money on it other then to keep it running right. (Aint going to ahve a job as of July 4th to what I know now, so its eventually up to my GF for this) I just need information on something that wont keep making the inside of my car rattle like there is no tomorrow.

[regal]

I'm starting to get the feeling that most of you' just change shocks to have a more firm ride. And yeah, this car is not worth me spending any more money on it other then to keep it running right. .

Wrong wrong wrong, I thought the same until I added the TRD suspension, it really turns into a performance handling go-cart which I am very into.

[Lafiro]

But I want to make sure that impacts are not going to be narsh/interior rattling. Thats why if I can change these dead stock shocks, I can get a set on there to compliment the TRD springs nicely.... Im also following the thread about the adjustable HTS shocks and struts.. so maybe those may be the right choice, assuming it isn't going to be an arm and a leg in price?

[Sparks Toyota-TRD]

The TRD Shocks go for $419 on our website.

You can get them here:

http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=544&Part_cat=11&parts_id=1104

TRD is something made for Toyota cars and it will add a nice performance gain to suspension. You will lose a little bit of ride quality, but TRD will be a little bit smoother than a lot of aftermarket companies.


Tim

[cali yaris]

Find someone who doesn't like the Tokicos. :smile: For $100 less than TRD, why not?

[Sparks Toyota-TRD]

You might feel the $100 difference in the ride comfort.


Tim

[YarisSedan]

Uh oh... battle of the vendors 2 completely unbiased opinions =)

[Lafiro]

oh wow, good debate going here, who else wants to join in on the fun! I can't want to see the victor of this thread.

I do not see the need to change springs, unless someone wants to trade some other lowering springs(less aggressive) for my TRD springs.

But ride quality is a must. I dont mind nice handling, the springs give me enough on their own. But I dont need to find myself hurting my neck when I change to TRD shocks, or Tokico shocks.....

Its very hard to get the right information because I don't know of anyone here in NYC with a modded Yaris. I did go to an event at Stony Brook the other day and saw a nice Hatch modded, with what looked to be a miniature coilover holding up the hood. Dont know where the driver was though... So no one can relate to the harsh roads here where I live. Unfortuntely.... half of my driving is on the bad parts of the highway, going to school, and seeing friends, the other half is good/perfect for a stiff suspension, going to work/seeing friends in that dirrection.

[regal]

I think the Tokico's are very good performance shocks, they really snap the suspension back down, absolutely none of the stock nauseating bounciness. I'de say they are on par as Koni Reds.

[cali yaris]

You might feel the $100 difference in the ride comfort.
Tim

[ vendor wars, lol ]

"Might" is the keyword, which indicates a lack of real-world data to draw from. You probably haven't tried the Tokicos -- have you driven a Yaris with the TRD's? They are very good - but not $100 better.

I've installed both and driven the car with both. I liked the TRD's and bought them (from TRD Sparks, by the way) for my own car before the Tokicos were available.

You will not feel ANY difference in ride comfort.

[Sparks Toyota-TRD]

No vendor wars here!

Micro Image, I give you respect and it's all fun! Thank you for the info on both of the shocks.


Tim

[cali yaris]

same back at ya, have spent many dollars with you. Everyone knows (or they should) that Sparks is THE place to go for Toyota parts online.

[Sparks Toyota-TRD]

Thank you good sir! Gots to have a little fun in the day or you might fall asleep at the computer haha!


Tim

[Lafiro]

Cool, to the above posts!

Alright, I saw a nice car next to me today, as I was approaching the service road entrance to the Van Vyck from college point, and There are some really BAD hills. Any faster then 35MPH with a lowered suspension, and you are asking to buttom out the car with the bump, not even including the sharp downside after each one.

Then I see a ML63 AMG, and its taking the bumps at the same speed. And each time, its taking these things like a champ, like NOTHING.

It takes the bump, throws the car up slightly, and its a smooth landing down really level, none of this front end sinsk to the ground .2 seconds later, then the back, its almost like its glided down softly in about 1-2seconds.... which makes me feel like thats the PERFECT type of suspension. Its a VERY fast truck, I mean NA V8 6.2liter, putting around 500HP. But it has a sport suspension.

I wish I could do something like that, not have the car go up fast and go down real fast.... I mean yeah its nice, but annoying as hell if you get what I mean.

LOL I cant have it both ways with this car, now can I!!!! :(

[1NZYaris1]

same back at ya, have spent many dollars with you. Everyone knows (or they should) that Sparks is THE place to go for Toyota parts online.

:clap::clap: i have bought a lot of parts from the both of you, because it was cheaper
and better service :bow::bow:,than buying localy :eek: . Until last week when i purchase a new set of TRD Springs and Shocks for $300.US ($500.NZ)
and when i get home next week , i look forward too installing them :drool:

[supmet]

LOL I cant have it both ways with this car, now can I!!!! :(

You can't have it both ways with any car.....

[detroiter]

I really recommend the Tokico shocks/struts with AOE TigerTec springs. They definately are a bit stiffer and you will get the "rolling" motion a little bit with them due to being stiffer but these badboys sure handle something great. I've taken quite a few bumps and dips at good speeds and havn't had any issues with bottoming out either.

[Reeves360]

:clap::clap: i have bought a lot of parts from the both of you, because it was cheaper
and better service :bow::bow:,than buying localy :eek: . Until last week when i purchase a new set of TRD Springs and Shocks for $300.US ($500.NZ)
and when i get home next week , i look forward too installing them :drool:

Where did you get this hot deal?

[Lafiro]

He probably meant $500us, and $3000NZ.
Anyway.

So, no one can explain to me how bumps feel on the car with the TRD shocks with TRD springs, versus the TRD spring with lets say Tokico shocks?

Just want to know how bad the bumps feel inside the car from a rating of 1(soft/dont feel them) to 10(sucks/car rattling)

[supmet]

He probably meant $500us, and $3000NZ.


300 USD = 480 NZD

We haven't destroyed our economy THAT bad yet...

edit:http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17436&highlight=TRD+300 << that's what he's talking about btw

[1NZYaris1]

300 USD = 480 NZD

We haven't destroyed our economy THAT bad yet...

edit:http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17436&highlight=TRD+300 << that's what he's talking about btw

Yep cost me $500.NZ dollars and they are know fitted , did it yesterday :biggrin:
still have one full set available shocks and springs left in store ,
shipping to the US cost's about $310.NZ so probably not worth it :eek:

[Lafiro]

Too bad the shipping is the catch.

Anyway, still need my post above answered with personal experience please!!!! #27

[Sparks Toyota-TRD]

I will tell you that the TRD shocks are designed to be the best when paired up with the springs. You will get the best ride quality and best performance when you have that pair on your Yaris. If you pair up the springs and shocks the last thing would be a TRD Rear Sway Bar and your Yaris will be ready for autocross! You know that the springs/shocks and sway bar will be good because you know Toyota has to put their name on it. Also these go with your cars warranty and I don't know any brand that follows your vehicles warranty!


Tim

[1NZYaris1]

Too bad the shipping is the catch.

Anyway, still need my post above answered with personal experience please!!!! #27

After 2 days of driving , the car feels amazing .
i have as you know the TRD Shocks , Springs and TRD Sway bar-(thanks Sparks :biggrin: )
it feels alot tighter and stiffer than stock , but not harsh in anyway.
If you hit a pot hole or 2 it is still fairly smooth , a little harder than stock .
the only thing i would caution you on is the TRD springs in the rear ,
Japanese TRD are progressive (white in color) , not sure that the
USA TRD'S are or not (RED in color) ,
maybe Tim can answer that one for you .

[marlondog]

Tokico Blue's and some Tein S-Tech's!

[Lafiro]

After 2 days of driving , the car feels amazing .
i have as you know the TRD Shocks , Springs and TRD Sway bar-(thanks Sparks :biggrin: )
it feels alot tighter and stiffer than stock , but not harsh in anyway.
If you hit a pot hole or 2 it is still fairly smooth , a little harder than stock .
the only thing i would caution you on is the TRD springs in the rear ,
Japanese TRD are progressive (white in color) , not sure that the
USA TRD'S are or not (RED in color) ,
maybe Tim can answer that one for you .

Decisions, Decisions....

I got my TRD springs from a friend who worked at a dealership a long time ago. They where white in color.

So what should I be 'cautioned' about?

[1NZYaris1]

nothing as yours will be progressive as well :laugh:

[largeorangefont]

You might feel the $100 difference in the ride comfort.


Tim

No there is really no difference. The 2 feel about identical. Remember when the TRD shocks were $100 cheaper than they are now??

I can assure you then did not get $100 better, they just jacked up the price.

[largeorangefont]

He probably meant $500us, and $3000NZ.
Anyway.

So, no one can explain to me how bumps feel on the car with the TRD shocks with TRD springs, versus the TRD spring with lets say Tokico shocks?

Just want to know how bad the bumps feel inside the car from a rating of 1(soft/dont feel them) to 10(sucks/car rattling)

They are both nearly the same.

I have rode in cars with both dampers back to back. I have Tokicos.

Under most conditions, the stiffer dampers make the car feel and ride better. It will wallows and sways less over bumps in the road. It is more harsh over sudden bumps at speed like potholes or dips.

I would say it is a 10-15% difference in stiffness from a "feel" perspective.

[Sparks Toyota-TRD]

The TRD Springs have a progressive spring rate. TRD wants to make sure you have the best quality with there name on it.



Tim

[regal]

best combo is TRD springs with Tokico shocks

[scape]

what kind of maintenance is there with TRD shocks/springs? I understand coilover's have to be maintained some

[Lafiro]

I don't think you have to maintain anything. Shocks do eventually die though.

Im REALLY surprised at how many people are saying to go with the Tokico Blues...

Is this because everyone just wants to save $100, or wants me to save $100? I really wish I knew the real reason, and not just because of the $100 price difference you know.

[regal]

I don't think you have to maintain anything. Shocks do eventually die though.

Im REALLY surprised at how many people are saying to go with the Tokico Blues...

Is this because everyone just wants to save $100, or wants me to save $100? I really wish I knew the real reason, and not just because of the $100 price difference you know.
Honestly I was leary too but there were so many good reviews on the Tokicos that I went with themm, they are much firmer and all round better than the stock junk shocks. I wouldn't even put the stock shock on a pickup, they are bouncy junk. You mentioned maintenance with coil overs, TRD springs + Tokico shocks are not coild overs. As long as you install them right)get them seated in correctly you have no maintenance as these are not coilovers, just springs/shocks that the factory should have suppplied. They reason they didn't is that the general buying public wants easy soft bouncy rides, I guess they like to get sea sick. I am very suseptable to car sickness and it totally went away with the TRD/Tokico combo. Get a rear sway bar while you're at it, you will want one and no sense in taking apart the rear shocks twice,

[cali yaris]

Im REALLY surprised at how many people are saying to go with the Tokico Blues...

Is this because everyone just wants to save $100, or wants me to save $100? I really wish I knew the real reason, and not just because of the $100 price difference you know.

Because they are the SAME or BETTER than the TRD shocks. If you want to pay $100 more for the name, you can make that choice, but that's what it is, in my opinion -- coming from someone who has installed BOTH on his own car.

[Sparks Toyota-TRD]

The $100 is also a difference of whether or not you want to keep a warranty on your car. Tokico's will void the warranty and TRD's will not woid the warranty. It is completely up to you. Thanks!



Tim

[Lafiro]

So wait, installing non TRD struts/shocks will void what warranty?

The entire car, or just suspension(which nothing will happen too anyway) ???

[Sparks Toyota-TRD]

It will void the suspension warranty on your car.

With TRD springs and shocks, if anything ever goes wrong with it then your dealership has to cover it under warranty.


Tim

[detroiter]

That's why you keep your stock springs and shocks so incase you need them. Then again, unless you really goofed up on the new springs/shocks you put on, suspension failures are next to zero.

[scape]

I meant coilovers in general have a tad of maintenance it seems, but good to know TRD shocks/springs are mostly maintenance free.
are tokico's not progressive? that would certainly make the ride seem firmer.

[scape]

@ Sparks: i'm going to be living up in beaufort sc for the next few months, do you have a shop for trd install? or are you just a reseller? i'd rather not hit up the dealer for something like that, and the garages around beaufort are 'hodunk' to say the least, haha

[Sparks Toyota-TRD]

We are a Toyota dealership, but sometimes we can get you a great deal. You let me know what you need and I will see what kind of price I can get for you. Thanks!



Tim

[Lafiro]

Yeah, thats right, what are Tokico shocks, progressive, or not?
Thanks everyone for the input.

[Jeemee]

Yeah, thats right, what are Tokico shocks, progressive, or not?
Thanks everyone for the input.

He was talking about the TRD springs. They, like all other aftermarket replacement springs, are progressive. I'm pretty sure shocks have a set valving, some are adjustable though. TRD shocks are not adjustable, nor are Tokico blues.

[Crossbow]

Not using TRD shocks voids your suspension warranty? LOL. What's left after you replace the shocks and springs? A few bushings?

If the car is in alignment specs, and the suspension geometry is unchanged from the TRD/TRD combo vs another aftermarket combination, and toyota tries to void your warranty on some bushings, take them to court for violating the federal mag-moss act.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson-Moss_Warranty_Act

Remember to always know your rights. It is up to the manufacturer to PROVE a replacement part caused a particular failure, and generally that will only effect the replacement of that particular part (If it is shown that the replacement part caused it), NOT all the related parts.

Of course if you install some odd combination of parts, your suspension geometry changes vs the TRD/TRD combo, and your alignment is completely out of spec...and you tear a bushing...then sure, don't expect that to be covered.

But the whole..."Don't do that or your warranty will be voided!" is a dealer scare tactic.

[Sparks Toyota-TRD]

Do you know that you can edit and delete on WikiPedia?

Here is the act on our website for you all:

http://www.trdsparks.com/warrant_after_market_products.html

There actually is a lot left on the suspension after you replace springs and shocks that can go wrong.

The dealership yes has to prove that what you did is the reason it went wrong. It is a long process, but most dealers will try their best to find the problem. If you need any info on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act please click the link in this post.

Thanks!


Tim

[Lazerdot]

Wow guys.

It's unfortunate that litigation has had to take over for common sense and good customer service. One problem is that everyone wants something for nothing even when the problem was created by themselves. No wonder dealers are reminding us of warranty issues.
The tendency to sue in this country has ruined many folks ability to use common sense in one area for the fear they will be required to do something similar in a dissimilar situation.
As an airline pilot I know that alot of time is spent and delays created just for CYA. CYA from passengers, FAA, and company. Hey, some must be done for sure.
I have dealt with TRD Sparks, NST, and Micro-Image so far. I take what they say very seriously and respect their opinions. If I'm told there might be a warranty issue, then like it or not my decision to move forward with a mod is mine alone. I'll take the risk that I may not be able to get something fixed under warranty. The other hand would be that a good dealer will recognize an obvious failure that should be covered and would not blame a mod that was not the problem.

Regardless, it will always come down to us and our own character.

[Lafiro]

Wow... lol
This thread is going great.......

I still dont know what to get/do![ if I can afford it that is :( ]

[Lazerdot]

I have all TRD suspension, stuts, springs and sway bar. I added some spring stiffeners from YarStar (thanks again ). I use the car in AX and love it! Cost was not to high and TRD gives the car a "medium" upgrade which works well for the street at the AX events.

[Lafiro]

Yeah, I don't need a track car. Its a daily driver(just myself, and tge GF doesn't mind it) So I dont need it to kill me on the bumps.

A friend of mine told me that maybe I should look into replacing all the bushings in the suspension. What is everyones reaction/suggestion on that.

[Tamago]

A friend of mine told me that maybe I should look into replacing all the bushings in the suspension. What is everyones reaction/suggestion on that.

it'll make the car louder and bumpier

[largeorangefont]

Yeah, I don't need a track car. Its a daily driver(just myself, and tge GF doesn't mind it) So I dont need it to kill me on the bumps.

A friend of mine told me that maybe I should look into replacing all the bushings in the suspension. What is everyones reaction/suggestion on that.

Buy Tokico struts and install them. That is the suggestion. Do not replace any bushings.

[Lafiro]

Lol, wow such a different response from what he told me,

He told me the new bushings would allow the suspension to eat the bumps easier, instead of letting it move around too much/maybe making contact with the metal??????
Anyway, not too sure about how they work, but I definitely dont need to be feeling the bumps more then I do now. But maybe my bushings are done? Concidering the abuse it takes every time I go out driving? How could I find this out?

[largeorangefont]

Lol, wow such a different response from what he told me,

He told me the new bushings would allow the suspension to eat the bumps easier, instead of letting it move around too much/maybe making contact with the metal??????
Anyway, not too sure about how they work, but I definitely dont need to be feeling the bumps more then I do now. But maybe my bushings are done? Concidering the abuse it takes every time I go out driving? How could I find this out?

Your bushings are not done. you need new struts.