Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit - Suspension and Brake Forum - j-body.org

Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit - Suspension and Brake Forum

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Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Thursday, November 15, 2007 7:36 PM

I did a few searches to see if anyone has previously posted anything about the Tokico HPK291 kit. Aside from a couple posts about if they were available, I didn't find much.

Anyways, I've been wanting to do a mild drop on my car for a while and I've really been needing new struts. I was thinking about the Tein H-Tech or Suspension Techniques Springs and KYB GR-2s or the Tokico HPs. While surfing for more info on my choices, I ran across a thread about the HPK291 kit (struts and 1.4" drop springs) and thought it would be interesting. Figuring Tokico has a decent reputation on their struts, their springs cant be too bad, if they are manufacturing them as a kit, so I figured I'd give them a try if the price is right. I PM'ed Jason at A-Plus Performance / J-Body Source and see if he could get it and for how much. Just like always, Jason got me an incredible deal, so I jumped on it! BTW, you won't find this kit on either site as of the time I was writing this, so PM or e-mail him, you won't be disappointed by the price of this kit.

Up until now, no one has posted any kind of review of this kit that I could find, so I figure I'll do what I can. Sorry I won't have any actual test data, like Motor Trend or anything like that and I'm not an expert on the J-Body suspensions available, so what you'll be getting here is my opinion of this kit over my worn out suspension and a few of the other Florida J-Body owners.

Here's my first installment of this thread:

This is the box it came i today. To the right you'll see the Prothane Control Arm Bushings (from Karo @ CarCustoms.net), the Energy Suspension tie rod dust boots, CV boot, ball joint, camber bolt and speed bleeders for my brakes, all to be installed this weekend.

Open the box and what do I find?

Mmmm... Bubble wrap and plastic!!

Alas, the HP Struts and Springs (the two rear struts still have the retention strap on them.)
I did notice the 1.4" drop springs are red, anyone know who else has red 1.4" drop springs?
Hint: Eibach Pro Kit. Now this doesn't mean that that is who made them, but the similarities make you think, especially when Eibach is getting ready to do a spring and strut kit.

I'll get more info when I get to the installation this weekend.

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Thursday, November 15, 2007 9:11 PM

QuasiZ (Raiseup)

Interesting, I'd be really interested to know how the ride quality is compared to stock. Keep us posted.

Boosted 2200, Summer 2007

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Thursday, November 15, 2007 9:39 PM

Vic Dub

i have that kit. It's been talked about a few times.

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Friday, November 16, 2007 6:49 AM

The Jew

looking good man....install meet its sounding like lol

RIP JESSE GERARD.....Youll always be in my thoughts and prayers...

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Friday, November 16, 2007 9:03 AM

APlusPerformance.com

Lookin gooood!

www.TaillightTinting.com #1 SOURCE FOR VHT NITE SHADES
www.aPlusPerformance.com BACK ONLINE SOMETIME SOON!
PHONE 763-682-9945

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Saturday, November 17, 2007 3:13 PM

MadJack

I just got done. Didn't get all that I wanted done today, but did get the struts and springs in. I'll do a more thorough update with pictures later tonight or tomorrow.

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Monday, November 19, 2007 6:38 PM

MadJack

Well, I finally got to posting this up.

First, I didn't get all the work done that I wanted to. I was hoping to get the Prothane Control Arm Bushings, the right front ball joint, the tie rod end dust boots, CV boot and the brake Speed Bleeders.

I did get the springs and struts installed, rehung my rear section of my exhaust (too low) and re-torqued the front sub-frame. The install was pretty much straight forward, no surprises.

This is the right front before the install, the height was 27 1/8" .(yes, I know the yardstick is slightly tilted, the photo is for demonstration purposes)

This is the right rear, the measured height was 27 1/2".

Here's the old right rear strut. The lower bolt is already removed. See the oil on the lower spring pad, it's definitely dead! I started on the rear, because I wanted to rehang the rear section of the exhaust. You can see the pipe in the background. I welded the stock hanger bar (after I extended it) onto my current piping. I'm I'minitely not a welder, but it will work. I welded the pipes over 2 1/2 years ago and the'they'rell holding.

Here's the new left rear strut and spring (bottom's not bolted yet) with the stock dust boot and trimmed bump stop. Ain't they Purdy!

A better view of my wonderful welding work!

The old left front strut. What's this more oil? These should give you an idea how bad this thing was riding. Remember these things had 241,000+ miles on them.

Ahh, that's better. No leaking strut here.

Now for the right front, one day after the install. I wanted to give it atleat least day of driving to help settle things. The hieght now is 26 1/8", one full inch lower than the worn-out stock springs and struts.

The right rear, one day after the install. Installed height 26 5/8", 7/8" lower. Remember, the stostockersd 241k +, 11years old, some loss of free height will have ococcurred(Springs don't lose rate, they loss free height if under pressure over time or cycled excessively.) D@mn Bird!

Here's how she sat just after I finish installation and a quick jaunt around the block. Things haven't settled in just yet.

The ground to fender measurements weren't the only measurements taken. I also measured from the hub center to the fender height. They are as follows:

LF Before 15 5/8", After 14 3/4", a difference of 7/8"
LR before 15 5/8", After 14 7/8", a difference of 5/8"
RF Before 15 1/2", After 14 1/2", a difference of 1"
RR Before 15 5/8", After 14 7/8", a difference of 5/8"

The before measurements were made at the same time as the before photos above. These after measurements were made after the drive around the block. As you can see the next day the rear settled a slight bit more, than the front.

The ride is Ohh so much better! Much less body roll, dive, rise and the car is controlled over bumps, braking and acceleration. The car was really dangerous the way it was before. So bad that the ABS had problems controlling lock-up under hard braking, very bad! I cross a set of railroad tracks going to and from work most days. If I went over about 30 mph over these tracks you could hear the struts top out at full extension, because of the bounce. Today they were nice and controlled at 35 mph, just barely feeling the bumps. (I don't make it a point to cross tracks that fast, just using it as a reference for suspension control) The ride is controlled, but not harsh, nor is it like a luxury car. Much better road feel, without the discomfort.

Was it worth it, most definitely, especially with the Price Jason gave me on this kit! Thank-You, Jason

(A-PlusPerfomance/J-BodySource.com) for the fast friendly service. You kept me up to date on everything.

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Monday, November 19, 2007 7:06 PM

Vic Dub

going over tracks hurt real bad with mine.

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Tuesday, November 20, 2007 8:32 AM

APlusPerformance.com

Great, great write up Jack!!!

www.TaillightTinting.com #1 SOURCE FOR VHT NITE SHADES
www.aPlusPerformance.com BACK ONLINE SOMETIME SOON!
PHONE 763-682-9945

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Friday, November 23, 2007 12:11 PM

MadJack

Just a quick update, a week after the install. Everything seems to have settled in to a full one inch drop (+/- 1/8"), over the worn-out stock setup. The ride is great, still totally controlled and not bottoming out or going to full extension over bumps.

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Monday, November 26, 2007 12:48 AM

KFLO

Pro-Kit springs are black just for reference.

Thanks for the solid write up, I've been debating the HP struts for awhile. I think eventually I'm going to go with the Eibach struts however.

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Tuesday, November 27, 2007 5:55 AM

whitegoose

ive been debating getting this setup for a little while now or going and building my own. i was thinking the canuck motor sports springs with KYB AGX's. im not looking for anything too extravagent as i dont think the car will be lasting me too many more years.

1997 RedR - ZedR

Re: Tokico HP Strut & Spring Kit

Thursday, December 20, 2007 2:20 AM

Eric Francis (72hr Bash Binge)

Nice write up Jack....glad to see some of the FL guys getting dropped....now get the rest of them lowered

RIP JESSE GERARD.....7.11.87/1.25.08(sunfireboi)
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