Tokico HP (blues) Shock/Strut driving impressions.

[largeorangefont]

For reference my suspension setup is as follows:

16X7 Konig Heliums
205/50/16 tires
Springtech 1.7 in lowering springs
TRD rear sway bar
Tokico HP dampers

So I got these about a month ago, and have been very happy with them. They are over $100 cheaper than the TRD upgraded shock/struts. The Tokico HP line is commonly refered to as "blues" because they are bright blue in color. Blues are valved stiffer than stock and are designed with lowered applications in mind. These are more performance oriented than the KYB GR-2 line, and ride nearly identical to the TRD KYB shocks and struts.

My car was lowered with the stock struts before I installed the Blues. The car rides a bit firmer, but does not compress, bottom out or wallow over high speed dips. It is much more surefooted on freeway ramps, and more stable over bumps. I have been very happy with them, and the ride quality did not degrade much, but the change is noticeable. I have rode in a car with TRD springs, TRD dampers and a TRD swaybar, and the ride of that car felt pretty close to my setup. Getting the Tokicos is a good way to save a few bucks if you want a performance setup without the expense of coilovers.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a386/largeorangefont/IMG_1236.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a386/largeorangefont/IMG_1227.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a386/largeorangefont/IMG_1238.jpg

[bdc87]

Still waiting for Cali to carry these but, I'm sure hes busy getting his sponsored threads up again and Reposting the Hood Contest. Our cars look almost the same.

[pinoypizzaboy]

still waiting for these in the mail. did you use oem bumpstops for this?

[largeorangefont]

still waiting for these in the mail. did you use oem bumpstops for this?

I cut the OEM bumpstops when I lowered the car. That is all you need to do if you car is lowered. If it is stock height, you don't need to do anything.

[YarisSedan]

Hmm i never cut my bump stops and never noticed a problem? But i have trd springs they are not that huge of a drop. What difference would i feel if i went back and cut them.

[largeorangefont]

Hmm i never cut my bump stops and never noticed a problem? But i have trd springs they are not that huge of a drop. What difference would i feel if i went back and cut them.

You should have cut them a bit even with the TRD springs. You will bottom out a bit less if you cut them, but you wont feel any difference under normal driving.

[YarisSedan]

Wouldnt the bump stop keep you from bottoming out completely. Thus the stop reducing the amount of travel. Like going over a speed bump too quickly. I have lower tie bars that i keep hitting constantly. Im afraid if i cut the stops i may damage something underneight

[largeorangefont]

Yes, that is the point of the bumpstop, to limit strut up travel. If a strut is compressed too much it bottoms out internally and that damages the strut.

You want to cut the bumpstop to maintain a similar amount of suspension travel as stock. If you had 4 inches, and lower the car an inch, you now have 3 inches of travel. You may hit the bumpstops more often over high speed dips or bumps. You can gain that inch of travel back by cutting the bump stops.

If you are not constantly bottoming out the bump stops, or satisfied with how the car is over those types of bumps, then leave the car the way it is.

[Thirty-Nine]

I think if I were ever to redo my suspension, I'd go with the Tokicos and some Tein springs. I've had Tokico HPs on my Civic with H&R Sport springs, and it was a great daily driver setup.

[03Z33]

Do you know if the these have shortened shafts or stock length/travel?

[largeorangefont]

Do you know if the these have shortened shafts or stock length/travel?


These are stock length.

[03Z33]

OK, thanks.

[contraband831]

anyone know who has the best deal on these?

[DMart]

anyone know who has the best deal on these?

x2, i really need these, i think my stockers are about done...lol

[largeorangefont]

I paid $312 shipped from Neverenoughauto.com. They were a vendor here before the data loss. I believe WSCP has them for a similar price.

http://www.neverenoughauto.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=6363

[eii]

Oh wow, thats a pretty reasonable price. I'll definitely keeps these in mind. Thanks for the review+info. You got a lot of fun stuff lately man, I'm so jealous. :drool:

[largeorangefont]

Oh wow, thats a pretty reasonable price. I'll definitely keeps these in mind. Thanks for the review+info. You got a lot of fun stuff lately man, I'm so jealous. :drool:

Yes, these are a much better deal than the TRD parts.

If you end up getting them and need them installed, PM me.

[marlondog]

Is your car scraping less in the front now that you have these shocks? Are you able to leave a drive-way without scraping?

[largeorangefont]

Is your car scraping less in the front now that you have these shocks? Are you able to leave a drive-way without scraping?

There is going to be no change over slow speed driveways speedbumps, etc.

There is less tire rub and bottoming out over fast bumps and dips.

[marlondog]

Would it be worth getting these shocks if I were using Tanabe Nf springs?

[largeorangefont]

Would it be worth getting these shocks if I were using Tanabe Nf springs?

If you want better handling, yes.

[daddz07]

Yes, these are a much better deal than the TRD parts.

If you end up getting them and need them installed, PM me.



FREE??:thumbup:

[yarrr]

You should have cut them a bit even with the TRD springs. You will bottom out a bit less if you cut them, but you wont feel any difference under normal driving.

TRD spring instructions say don't cut the bumpstops.

[sleey0]

I would cut the stops, fwiw.

[cali yaris]

^ TRD only drops 1.5", probably not enough to need to cut the bumpstops.

To compare, the Tanabe DF210 instructions (1.8" drop) specifically call for cutting the stops in half.

and.... the thread lives on!