serin

iTrader: (2)

i just got off the phone with shox.com and the rep was telling me that if i'm going to go with aftermarket, he'd recommend tokicos over kybs. for clarification, i'm going softer with my suspension for my wife. the struts i'm considering are the kyb gr-2, tokico hp and illuminas. so between the two tokicos, he also told be that the hp would ride about the same as illuminas on maybe one or two notches in. meaning if i set the illuminas at the softest setting it would actually be softer than the hp. does that sound about right to you guys???

also, how accurate is he about the tokicos being better than kyb in general? i thought our oem struts were tokicos and were the culprit of all those blown suspensions a few years ago??

Lontar1

iTrader: (5)

I haven't changed mine in my car but in here most of the people like the Illumina.....adjustable. As soon as I get my car from the shop I'm getting the Illuminas with Maxspeeds......

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

Illuminas are the best

Lontar1

iTrader: (5)

Wow, finally we agree on something.... this world is going to end ... j/k

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

this proves i dont argue just to argue and "flame people"

NYPD-Arnold

iTrader: (8)

Illuminas are indeed the best. But Blues feel more like Illuminas when Illuminas are set to 2F/3R

NYC TAR

iTrader: (2)

the guys at shox.com is telling the truth Tokico is better than KYB ( KYB is very stiff in the cold) and the tokico hp setting is about 2 on the front and 3 the rear when compared with the illuminas . So yes, illuminas are softer when set at 1.

BTW Tokico makes OEM Nissan Maxina struts. if you don't like OEM Tokico you won't like HP. they ride about the same. I not fan of tokico or kyb. KONI baby!

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

First, i have had no experience with KYB, so I won't act like I know anything about them. Two points I do know about:

1. The Tokico "Blue" is essentially the same shocks as our OEM ones (Tokico makes them as far as I remember) and will give you similar-to-stock ride quality.

2. The Tokico Illumina is well worth the extra money. They are adjustable. I keep mine on a "3" setting (1 through 5) with Maxspeed springs and my ride is BETTER than the SE stock springs/struts...Setting the Illuminas to 1 or 2 give almost a "luxury" ride, much softer (and more "boat-feeling" IMHO)...

Let's put it this way: with 1.5" drop, illuminas, and most of the other suspension stiffeners available for the maxima, plus 18" wheels, my ride is MORE comfortable than stock.....

My suggestion - you can't go wrong with the illuminas.

TheBigDu

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys,

Sorry for such a newb question, but how do you guys adjust the illuminas and other adjustable shocks/struts? I'm guessing for the front you just open the hood and it's right there? Or is it at the bottom and you have to take the wheel off? Thanks.

-Brian

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

there's a dial on the top of the strut.....use a flathead screwdriver. Fronts are easy...rears you have to open up the trunk paneling to get to them, obviously...

TheBigDu

iTrader: (1)

makes sense, thanks josh

I guess when you're doing test runs to see how comfortable it is, you could just drive around with your trunk paneling off for easy adjusting.

serin

iTrader: (2)

thanks guys. exactly what i was looking for. illuminas it is. shox.com has em for ~$489 for a set of four. unless i find a much better deal, i'll be ordering them tomorrow.

Nissan2k2specV

iTrader: (1)

i have gr2's and maxspeeds. i have no problem with a stiff ride. but then how cold does it really get in san diego.

NYPD-Arnold

iTrader: (8)

I'd just like to point out that Blues are not OEM replacements. They are 10% stiffer to accomodate a drop of 1.5'' or less. They are aftermarket.

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

And so far they've been surviving with my Progress springs... which are a tad more than 1.5" in the front...

xtantmaxima

I would check the GroupDeal forum before doing anything so quickly. In fact, there is a very long post there with a 5 star rating. I should post the link, but that takes the fun out of it. As a teaser, it says in plain English:














Ok, I lied, here is the LINK

A33 VQ30DEK

iTrader: (23)

i would've gotten the Illuminas, but i got my AGX and Teins for $220 used. Great handling, but comfort isn't to great. I've driven maximas with the Tein and Illumina Combo and its the best combo i've ever felt.

Illuminas all the way for adjustable shocks!

TheBigDu

iTrader: (1)

S-Tech or H-Tech? I'm assuming H....

1phtmax

iTrader: (1)

i got my Illuminas shipped for $420 off Ebay got them im 3 days

A33 VQ30DEK

iTrader: (23)

no the S-techs

BLUEMAX01SE

get the tokico's - i dont know where kyb got off saying their gr2's are twin tube "gas" shocks, it's more like twin tube cement shocks! it's like off roading on the actual road! i'm switching over to tokico illuminas this spring! good luck

serin

iTrader: (2)

thanks guys. just ordered the illuminas off ebay for 410 + 15 shipping.

aongch

True, I have the same set up - Maxspeed/Illuminas - and they ride just a bit firmer than stock but very nice damping. For street use I set 'em at 3 and 3, but bec of the superior adjustability, I use 3 or 4 ft and 5 rr for track use. Can't go wrong with the adjustments. Also, if you do use the max for heavy passenger use (no pun intended), these adjustments are nice, too.

NiZMo1o1

iTrader: (45)

KYB GR-2 are CRAP ..I brought brand new ones for my 94 Altima with lowering Springs and they didnt even last 3 months... GR-2 are basically close to OEM

Jime

iTrader: (10)

Illuminas are much better than AGX, I have had both. AGX only does compression not rebound and the Illumina's do both. No competiton.

OOmaxSE

iTrader: (19)

i have the GR-2's and i don't like them at all. they aren't comfortable and when going over bumps, they make an uncomfortable sound. in the cold they, only the rears move (factory nissan struts in rear). i'm gonna get illuminas, they sound really good, haven't heard anything bad about them.

rLx77

how about Tokico Blues???? Are those any good??