r this better than tokico??

 

yes

 

did you buy these? do they fit right? 280's a good as price

 

yes, the GR-2's are a direct replacement for our(5th gen) strut/shocks. no modification is needed like the kyg agx's.

 

that means you cant use drop springs i guess

 

You can use lowering springs with the GR-2 based on what i've seen around. It's just that you can't adjust them like the AGX.

 

oh really? sweet, i might get a set of these then im too poor to aford the other ones

 

no! a couple of members have them paired with maxspeed or h&r's i believe. plus, many here have "drop springs" paired with stock(oem) struts/shocks. so u should be fine if you so choose.

come spring, i will go with maxspeed/gr-2's myself. looking to buy goodies after Xmas shopping for others is done.

 

yea i have the maxspeed waiting to get put on but dont have the 500 bucks to shell out for the better shocks, maybe ill go with these

 

Speaking of Spring. If rumors become true, both Tokico's and KYB's adjustable shocks for the 5th gen Maxima should be coming out during that time as well. More choices for everyone

 

u to quick!

btw, sorry i missed the GD of the Injen. that was a great price. maybe another around late Feb., just before spring hits.

 

anybody running these, especially w/ the maxspeeds? wanna know how the ride is compared to the tok's and stock.

 

so these vs. the tokicos? anybody?

 

Does any1 know if these shocks/struts are designed to handle the higher spring rates of an aftermarket spring? or are these just a stock replacment along the lines of the tokico blues?

 

I hate to be an a** about this, but you guys should try reading through other posts. I just posted the ff: yesterday,

----------------------
As far as comparing the Toks/GR2/AGX's, here's an excellent post from TellschMax02:

Tokico and KYB - Great Info!! (Long)
I have been doing some research on struts for 5th gen Maxima – more specifically Tokico Performance (Blues) and KYB GR2/AGX. I have a 2k2 with MaxSpeed springs which lowered the car about 1.25” in the front and .75” in the rear.

I am using the Tokico’s in the front (very happy with them) and tried using the 4th Gen AGX in the rear and I am not happy with the fit. The spring does not sit right on the perch and causes the metal end of the spring to grind on the side of the perch when going over larger bumps - even with the stock sleeve on the bottom of the spring. Also, the dust boot is almost touching, if not touching, the one side of the spring. Just overall not a great fit. The ride is awesome, but the fit is just not for me.

So while researching which rears to get, I have received some excellent information. All information was received from contacts at the respective companies.

Tokico Performance:
- Typically valved at 15-20% stiffer than stock struts
- Can handle lowering springs
- May get some bounce on higher spring rate (not exactly sure how high) springs

KYB:
- GR2 are typically valved at 15-20% stiffer than stock struts
- Can handle lowering springs
- May get some bounce on higher spring rate (not exactly sure how high) springs
- Only springs KYB recommend are Eibach ProKit (for either GR2 or AGX)
- Front AGX settings:
- 1 = valved to factory setting
- 2 = valved the same as GR2 (15-20% higher than 1)
- 3 = valved 50% higher than 2
- 4 = valved 30% higher than 3
- Rear AGX settings:
- 1 = valved a little softer than factory (5%)
- 2 = valved to factory setting
- 3 = valved between 2 and 4
- 4 = valved the same as GR2 (15-20% higher than 2)
- 5 = valved between 4 and 6
- 6 = valved 50% higher than 4
- 7 = valved between 6 and 8
- 8 = valved 30% higher than 6

Basically, the Tokico Performance and the KYB GR2’s have very similar performance characteristics. I guess it comes down to which manufacturer you like better. They both have lifetime warrantees and appear to offer the same level of performance.

The AGX is obviously a more flexible shock, but may be over kill for some applications. As noted here on the org, the 5th gen AGXs are scheduled to be in the 2003 KYB catalog. The Tokico Illuminas (adjustable like AGX) are not scheduled for release – according to the person at Tokico I talked to. Being that the 4th gen Illuminas just got released not to long ago, it may also take some time.

Hope this helps,
Brian

 

soundmike...i saw this post but it didn't really answer my question. tech. specs are great but need testimony....like church. numbers are numbers but the application and result is what we wanna know about. but good lookin out on the other post tho.

 

It wasn't meant to answer your question, but okay

 

Does anyone know how accurate this information is or where it came from? This doesn't seem right. On my G20, when I compared brand new OEM struts to AGX struts, even on the softest setting the AGX struts had MUCH more compression and rebound dampening than the new stock OEM ones. I have no way to measure the amt of dampening, but from pushing and pulling on the strut piston by hand, without exaggerating, I would say that the AGXs took 2x as much effort to compress and expand. In fact, on the "1" setting, I had to set the strut on the ground and push down w/ my body weight to compress the strut (brand new OEMs, I could compress easily by hand).

Thus, I believe that even at the "1" setting, for both front and rears, there is about a 100% increase in both compression and rebound dampening over stock. You guys might think I'm crazy, but further evidence of how much greater the dampening was, is the fact that I was able to run the AGXs w/ Ground Control ERS springs that were about 150 lb/in HEAVIER than even the Eibach prokits I used to have and, even on the "1" setting, it COMPLETELY controlled the rebound stroke, ie. car was absolutely taut and not bouncy or pogo-ey in any way. Take a dip on the freeway at high speed and the car would dip 1x and return to static ride height immediately.

My point is, the AGXs provide excellent, taut handling, but are no where close to stock ride quality despite the above info indicating the softest setting matches the factory valving. You will notice a big difference in ride quality even when running with stock OEM springs. I think the biggest detriment to ride quality w/ the AGX is their very stiff COMPRESSION stroke.

Don't know about the GR2s. Wish I could get my hands on a set of GR2s to see how they compare to stock struts and AGXs that I've played with.

 

wait for the Konis because the adjustment on the Konis only changes the rebound rate, not the compression rate..perfect for stiffer springs where you want to add more control to the rebound only-because the compression rate has been increased by the springs themselves

 

Actually, on AGX struts, the adjustments do not affect compression either. I have seen 2 shock dynos of the AGX struts for 2 different vehicles and in both cases, only rebound dampening is affected. As you pointed out, it makes absolutely no sense to have both rebound and compression affected by 1 single adjustment as you would want to only increase rebound dampening to control a heavier rate strut. Thus, if you increase the compression at the same time, you're just adding unnecessary suspension harshness.

 

Sorry to *****...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=161507

Brian

 

I have H&Rs paired up with GR2s on my '01 Max. The ride is totally compliant, it corners like a champ an it's not bouncy at all. I now have total confidence in what my car will do when I crank the wheel. None of my passengers even noticed the ride difference. A friend at work had Tokicos and H&Rs on his Max and it didn't ride as well, in fact he thought I was lying when I said I was running springs and shocks. I've had my setup for about 3K miles and love them. I'll let you guys know if the ride turns to crap later on. I doubt it will though.

 

Did have the max paired up with stock shock/struts first, or did you go directly for the kyb gr-2's?

 

I have GR-2's and H&Rs on my 4th gen. Great ride and handling. I even have used the setup Autocrossing and i LOVE it.

 

I ordered the KYB GR2 struts (all 4) along with the boots and new Strut Mounts (upper bearing mounts). I received the struts after about a week and then received the mounts in a separate shipment about 2 weeks later than the struts (on the free shipping plan). Ok, slowww shipping but no problem so far. I removed the front struts from the old Maxima (2000 SE) and proceed with installing the springs and associated parts onto the new struts. I try to fit the new bearing mount onto the top of the strut and it just doesn't fit right. I struggle with this for a couple hours and decide there's just no way this mount is right for this strut. I get a brainy idea. I take the paper gasket and try to fit it over the 3 studs on the new mount - she no fit! Put the paper gasket on the old mount - she fits, no problema! Obviously the wrong strut mounts for my vehicle.

So obviously I call the KYB Outlet Store (A division of Just Suspension) and they say no, that it is the correct part number for my car. I explain to them that I don't care if its the right part number, that the parts don't fit. I don't know who swapped the parts (put the wrong parts in the box) but they don't fit my vehicle. I ask the nice lady at the KYB Outlet if they would expedite the shipment of the correct strut mounts to me since this was their error. To make a long story short she basically denied any wrong doing, would not ship me a new part until I returned the old, and shipping would be U.S. Postal snail mail like the original strut mounts. I told her that was completely unacceptable to have my vehicle out of commission for 2 or 3 more weeks and that I would simply return the wrong mounts (at my shipping expense) for a refund, which I did.

I ended up using the old mounts which seemed to be OK. I hope they last.

Also: I called KYB and spoke to a factory customer rep there and he said, "I wish
we could buy the name of some of these suppliers that have nothing to do with the
KYB factory". He said stores like this give KYB a bad reputation.

Bottom line: I wish I had never done business with this company (KYB Outlet Store).



P.S. Thanks for the info on the struts guys. I really like the ride with the GR2s.

 

Don't know if you did your research before hand but other members have noted that they ran into a problem with fitment when using KYB Mounts and Boots. Just thought you should know. Most prefer Moog Mounts I think. That's why I ended up choosing GR2's with Moog mounts and OEM boots when I did mine all within the last 2 weeks.

 

I've had my 5th Gen max for 5 yrs now, never modded anything. My struts are shot and from what I've been reading it sounds like the KYB-GR's paired with Eibach springs would make for a nice ride.. is this overkill for someone just looking for a smooth ride or is it worth the $ ? any suggestions for this new member greatly appreciated

 

9 year old thread bump :SMH SMH SMH:



Are you lowered or are you simply looking for new struts?

 

I just bought GR-2's on Friday. Awaiting arrival.... I also ordered the H-Techs to go with them. From what i read about the GR-2's is they are better than the Tokico Blues, which are an OEM replacement. GR-2's are better than OEM but not adjustable, plus also from researching this forum i found out that too much of a drop will be too much of a strain on the struts and may/will lead to the struts blowing quicker. I read somewhere (may be on this forum...) that someone had had the GR2's with the S-Techs. Ended badly. Withing 6 mo. both his fronts had blown.

I went with the H-Techs cause 1. I wanted a nice drop but not anything silly, and 2. cause the road here in KY can be choppy, and i read the combination of the two will be better together for those conditions....

hope this helps a little...

 

When I had my 97 Maxima I had Eibach pro kit springs and KYB GR2s...GREAT RIDE...no problems ever...had it for YEARS. So yes they are great.....right now I have on my 2002 maxima Eibach pro kit springs and Tokico blues.......honestly...can't tell the difference between the two...both are a good setup.

 

YES. In response to your use of the word smooth, I suggest you go OEM or Tokico Blues. I've got the the Eibach/Gr2 combo. You won't like it.

 

Not true.....I had both on 2 different Maximas. The Eibach/Tokico blue combo is STIFFER than stock...it's not a DIRECT replacement...I can tell you that for sure...it Definitely rides quite a bit stiffer than STOCK. Not REAL bad...but stiffer. It's enough to withstand daily driving...if you are REALLY concerned then just replace stock springs with STOCK shocks and call it a day. It's like when people mod their catback exhaust and then complain its loud.....DUHHHH......then leave everything stock.

 

What gen? 5th gen is comparable to a... 5th gen.

The point is that the combo is not smooth. It doesn't sound like eibachs and gr2s are for this guy. You would be kidding yourself if you thought this setup was smooth.

Which was the entire reason for my response to the OP.

 

GR2's out perform and are much smoother than Tokico blues. I have stated this in a few other threads. This is a comparison between the two on both Max-Speed and Vogtland springs with both struts. This is also a comparison for well over 50k miles on the Tokico's and now about 30k on the GR-2's.

Tokico's are crap! They were crap with the Maxspeed, they were crap with the Vogtland, they are probably crap with the stock springs. Most probably don't realize it because they are replacing OEM worn-out struts with Tokico's and have no way to compare.

I can not comment on Illumina by Tokico (hear nothing but good things about them), but for the price and response, I would purchase GR-2's over Blues any day.

 

I hate my blues , ride quality sucks.

I had Gr-2s on my 4thgen and the ride was great. But I had a very mild drop.

 

Glad I came across this thread...planning on replacing mine soon.

 

I got 80k out of my Illuminas and I'm about to replace them since my rear tires are a little choppy and I'm replacing my Nitto(s) as well......OVERALL THE ILLUMINAS ARE AWESOME coupled with PROGRESS SPRINGS!!!!! GR-2's are the best OEM replacement for our 5th Gen(s)....But I like the ability too adjust my suspension's firmness during track visits!

 

I recently put GR-2s and Vogtland on all 4 corners and I couldn't be happier. Drop is perfect and ride is even better! If I could do it over I wouldn't change a thing.

 

so what i'm gathering from this is that picking up a full set of GR2's at my discount (o'reilly distribution center), with moog mounts and an eibach pro kit would be a great idea?