Shock&Struts, thats the question - Page 2

Fox89GT · 04-11-2001, 11:42 AM

If I had to do it all over again, I would have gotten the Tokiko Adjustables. I went with the KYBs thinking that they would be okay for the stock springs, and they were, but now I lowered the car and don't think that it can handle the higher spring rates. Do it right the first time even though it might cost a little more in the beginning. You will save alot more in the long run.

Adding the sub-frames, G-brace, C/C plates and strut tower braces will all enhance the suspension and ride also. These are "must haves" on the fox bodies IMO.

------------------
Black '89 GT, FMS wires, tune up kit, strut tower brace, KB subframes, front sway bar poly-bushings, Steeda G-brace, C/C plates, rear sway bar and sport springs, KYBs, B&M shifter, flex fan, 3.55 gears, 73mm calipers, SVO Master Cylinder and SS braided lines, Moroso Cold Air Induction.

Mike 88GT · 04-11-2001, 12:05 PM

Fox89GT,
Thanks bud for your imput. I do think I will be going with Tokico adjustables. I might have to wait with the rear shocks, but the stock seem to be alright right now anyways. My struts are shot and need replacing bad, so I'll start with them. I don't know yet if I will lower the car or not. But I'm going to get the right stuff now so that later if I decide to I'll be on track. Thanks again for your imput, its the reason I joined this club in the first place. I really don't think I could have done it without all you guys help. Thanks all.

Mike 88GT · 04-11-2001, 12:41 PM

Can I put a strut tower brace on later? I'm going to replace the struts and shocks and that will take up most of my money for right now. Do the tower braces just bolt on over the struts? Or does it go under the struts and need to be put on before the struts?

Fox89GT · 04-11-2001, 03:52 PM

All the suspension parts can be installed independently at any time with exceptions to the springs and C/C plates. The shocks and struts will have to be removed for installation so that may be a "do-again" part. My strut tower brace is just bolted next to the C/C plates. No need to remove anything.

By the way, don't replace your quad shocks. Save your money there or put on some cheap parts if you want to change it. I don't think I would remove it but keep what you got and it would be fine.

------------------
Black '89 GT, FMS wires, tune up kit, strut tower brace, KB subframes, front sway bar poly-bushings, Steeda G-brace, C/C plates, rear sway bar and sport springs, KYBs, B&M shifter, flex fan, 3.55 gears, 73mm calipers, SVO Master Cylinder and SS braided lines, Moroso Cold Air Induction.

[This message has been edited by Fox89GT (edited 04-11-2001).]

Mike 88GT · 04-13-2001, 08:48 AM

I plan on replacing the front struts with Tokico Illum. 5-way adjustables. My new question is, do I have to go with the same kind for the rear shocks? Do they have to be the adjustables too, or can I just put the Tokico premium ones in? Or could I go with completly different rear shock? Like maybe those air adjustables. Thanks people for all your help....

Fox89GT · 04-13-2001, 12:17 PM

I would go with the complete set of adjustables, Tokiko in your case. It will give you more options to fine tune what you want. The non adjustable rear shock is pretty stiff and set to about a #3 setting on the adjustable. Get the whole set and be done with it! It will give you all you want and more...Don't nickle and dime these things trying to save a few bucks. It will cost you more in the long run. I've been there and done that.

As for the air adjustable rear shocks, save those for your moms station wagon. They are load "levelers" not shock "absorbers".

Cheap prices here www.shox.com

[This message has been edited by Fox89GT (edited 04-13-2001).]

Skankin · 04-13-2001, 01:45 PM

I still haven't got a strut tower brace, and probably won't get one, unless I go to coil-overs. Griggs doesn't even recommend them with they're coil-overs (as long as you're using their K-member).

With the stock (stamped steel) k-member, the lower chassis brace is way more important (and they're a lot cheaper too!).

I wouldn't recommend stiffer springs without the subframe connectors first.

I do recommend the cc plates though. The added caster and free articulation is SOOOO nice. Easy to do when the struts are off.

Mike 88GT · 04-13-2001, 02:56 PM

Thanks guys for all your help. I had to laugh about the saving the air shocks for the station wagaon. But I will do just that. I've been doing some hard core shopping around and found a package price on Tokico's that are great!! I saved about $50 off the price of what one would see in a magazine. I actually found great prices on Konis and Blistein's too if anyone is looking for them. If anyone is looking for great deals on parts, go to www.shox.securesites.com/appguide/
I couldn't believe there deals. Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll let ya know how it turns out and will be back with more questions on other things...

XOCHXXIII · 04-14-2001, 02:52 AM

since were on the subject,what do you guys think of HAL's adj struts and shocks?

Mike 88GT · 04-16-2001, 08:32 AM

I've heard that Hals's are a great shock/strut. They are up there with the best, but also cost as much as the best too. I have found Koni's, Bliston's, and Tokico's are just as good but alittle easier on the pocket book.

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04-11-2001, 11:42 AM	#21
Fox89GT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 55	If I had to do it all over again, I would have gotten the Tokiko Adjustables. I went with the KYBs thinking that they would be okay for the stock springs, and they were, but now I lowered the car and don't think that it can handle the higher spring rates. Do it right the first time even though it might cost a little more in the beginning. You will save alot more in the long run. Adding the sub-frames, G-brace, C/C plates and strut tower braces will all enhance the suspension and ride also. These are "must haves" on the fox bodies IMO. ------------------ Black '89 GT, FMS wires, tune up kit, strut tower brace, KB subframes, front sway bar poly-bushings, Steeda G-brace, C/C plates, rear sway bar and sport springs, KYBs, B&M shifter, flex fan, 3.55 gears, 73mm calipers, SVO Master Cylinder and SS braided lines, Moroso Cold Air Induction.

04-11-2001, 12:05 PM	#22
Mike 88GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hutchinson, MN Posts: 36	Fox89GT, Thanks bud for your imput. I do think I will be going with Tokico adjustables. I might have to wait with the rear shocks, but the stock seem to be alright right now anyways. My struts are shot and need replacing bad, so I'll start with them. I don't know yet if I will lower the car or not. But I'm going to get the right stuff now so that later if I decide to I'll be on track. Thanks again for your imput, its the reason I joined this club in the first place. I really don't think I could have done it without all you guys help. Thanks all.

04-11-2001, 12:41 PM	#23
Mike 88GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hutchinson, MN Posts: 36	Can I put a strut tower brace on later? I'm going to replace the struts and shocks and that will take up most of my money for right now. Do the tower braces just bolt on over the struts? Or does it go under the struts and need to be put on before the struts?

04-11-2001, 03:52 PM	#24
Fox89GT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 55	All the suspension parts can be installed independently at any time with exceptions to the springs and C/C plates. The shocks and struts will have to be removed for installation so that may be a "do-again" part. My strut tower brace is just bolted next to the C/C plates. No need to remove anything. By the way, don't replace your quad shocks. Save your money there or put on some cheap parts if you want to change it. I don't think I would remove it but keep what you got and it would be fine. ------------------ Black '89 GT, FMS wires, tune up kit, strut tower brace, KB subframes, front sway bar poly-bushings, Steeda G-brace, C/C plates, rear sway bar and sport springs, KYBs, B&M shifter, flex fan, 3.55 gears, 73mm calipers, SVO Master Cylinder and SS braided lines, Moroso Cold Air Induction. [This message has been edited by Fox89GT (edited 04-11-2001).]

04-13-2001, 08:48 AM	#25
Mike 88GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hutchinson, MN Posts: 36	I plan on replacing the front struts with Tokico Illum. 5-way adjustables. My new question is, do I have to go with the same kind for the rear shocks? Do they have to be the adjustables too, or can I just put the Tokico premium ones in? Or could I go with completly different rear shock? Like maybe those air adjustables. Thanks people for all your help....

04-13-2001, 12:17 PM	#26
Fox89GT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 55	I would go with the complete set of adjustables, Tokiko in your case. It will give you more options to fine tune what you want. The non adjustable rear shock is pretty stiff and set to about a #3 setting on the adjustable. Get the whole set and be done with it! It will give you all you want and more...Don't nickle and dime these things trying to save a few bucks. It will cost you more in the long run. I've been there and done that. As for the air adjustable rear shocks, save those for your moms station wagon. They are load "levelers" not shock "absorbers". Cheap prices here www.shox.com [This message has been edited by Fox89GT (edited 04-13-2001).]

04-13-2001, 01:45 PM	#27
Skankin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,349	I still haven't got a strut tower brace, and probably won't get one, unless I go to coil-overs. Griggs doesn't even recommend them with they're coil-overs (as long as you're using their K-member). With the stock (stamped steel) k-member, the lower chassis brace is way more important (and they're a lot cheaper too!). I wouldn't recommend stiffer springs without the subframe connectors first. I do recommend the cc plates though. The added caster and free articulation is SOOOO nice. Easy to do when the struts are off.

04-13-2001, 02:56 PM	#28
Mike 88GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hutchinson, MN Posts: 36	Thanks guys for all your help. I had to laugh about the saving the air shocks for the station wagaon. But I will do just that. I've been doing some hard core shopping around and found a package price on Tokico's that are great!! I saved about $50 off the price of what one would see in a magazine. I actually found great prices on Konis and Blistein's too if anyone is looking for them. If anyone is looking for great deals on parts, go to www.shox.securesites.com/appguide/ I couldn't believe there deals. Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll let ya know how it turns out and will be back with more questions on other things...

04-14-2001, 02:52 AM	#29
XOCHXXIII Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: BRIGHTON,CO USA Posts: 6	since were on the subject,what do you guys think of HAL's adj struts and shocks?

04-16-2001, 08:32 AM	#30
Mike 88GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hutchinson, MN Posts: 36	I've heard that Hals's are a great shock/strut. They are up there with the best, but also cost as much as the best too. I have found Koni's, Bliston's, and Tokico's are just as good but alittle easier on the pocket book.