In the next 2 weeks, I'm going to order a full set of Tokico HP Blues. They'll be riding on stock springs, with MOOG front mounts. It seems the average eBay pricing for a new set is $330 shipped.



I know that "where to buy" threads are almost immediately out-dated. So with that in mind, I promise to delete this thread after buying the Blues.

But for the next couple of weeks, does anyone have any leads?

[edit: turns out this thread collected some useful info beyond where-2-buy, so it stays.]

 

You may want to buy them from the internets.

nah, but in all seriousness, I've been trolling for struts for my car too, and I have not been able to find anything much cheaper than ebay for Tokico or KYB struts. So I'm also anxious to know how this thread turns out too.

 

$376 for Illumina's here, not bad for an upgrade from the blues...

http://www.andysautosport.com/nissan...shocks/tokico/

 

I need to replace my stock one as well. Subscribed.

 

Doesnt one have to be careful where you purchase? I seem to recall the "cheapest" ones are not authorized dealers and then warranty claims become a nightmare?

Something to consider. I am looking for Illuminias and I see two different pricing structures out there for them and I would have to assume the "cheapies" would be the no (or double talk around the topic) warranty ones.

 

That is a good price on Illuminas. And it would be an upgrade if I wanted adjustable dampening. But I'm not buying Illuminas.

Blues.

 

why don't you get some lowering springs while your at it?

 

That is a common question about springs. And I would go into more depth if I haven't already elsewhere. But I'm not buying springs.

Blues.

 

Stillen.com has some tokico as well. They are a bit cheaper than andyautosport. Not to sure on the shipping difference though. Im on the hunt for them too. Ill let you know which route I go.

 

Look at the model numbers.....those are the blues, NOT Illuminas.

John...from what I have seen, ebay is the best place to get them. I havent seen anything less expensive.

 

I am very interested in this too. I have had good success with eBay but I'm always a little hesitant.

 

I'm thinking you're right, based on occasional searches over the last half-year. But then, I also think this thread couldn't hurt, and might bubble up a good deal somewhere.

I'll let it ride for a few weeks, and see what comes. Then I'll delete it.

...or sooner, if I keep getting comments about springs.

 

That's true, but at $366.84 for a full set, plus shipping.

Stillen isn't exactly known for awesome pricing.

 

So why are you not getting springs?

 

This eBay vendor has it for $313 + free shipping, but it includes 1999 Maximas, so I'd double check the part numbers with them. If you're going to use an eBay Buy It Now, you might also want to consider signing up for a Bing Cash Back account if you don't have one already. It's 10% cash back on eBay BINs currently.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...ht_2139wt_1117

 

Well, you I'll answer, because you're trying to be funny, not annoying (much).

I prefer a soft ride under my butt, but good handling at speed. Another way to describe it: I like feeling connected through my hands and feet, but don't want to rattle my bones. That's why I enjoy my ES mount bushings, STS and RSB, while at the same time I'm putting Blues on the car, and riding on the stock 17" rims.

It's almost like I just described a Dodge Challenger. Big, soft, flat and fast.

Anyway... Blues.

 

LOL...I was trying to be funny. I knew why you didnt want to move springs as I saw it in my research looking up other suspension answers/questions.

 

Subscribed. Sounds like a comfortable set up, looking forward to review.

 

See, now that's useful. The part numbers are correct.

HB3188 - FRONT/RIGHT
HB3189 - FRONT/LEFT
HU2943 - REARS

 

http://www.importcarpartsplus.com/maximasuspension.htm

They're $350 here probably with the warranty. I'm in the same market as you guys so let me know what ya'll come up with.

Also I'm not sure about the dust boots and mounts.

Are the mounts all 4 front and back? Are the boots all 4 front and back?

Also if others can checking out the KYB dust boots and KYB mounts when theyre searching would be nice too.

 

understandable...

sooo...when are you getting those tein SS coilovers?

I got my blues 2 years ago from ebay. You find find them cheaper anywhere else, so save yourself the trouble of searching anymore.

 

You were planning on swinging by and show me why I should get Tein's, but that never happened. Then you de-modded your ride and sold your coil-overs. And believe me, pbn85, I agonized at the time about whether or not I should buy them from you.

But without getting a hands-on opinion, I just couldn't commit on faith.

So... Blues.

 

www.springrates.com

they don't have our cars listed but get send them an email, about what you what/need with the year make and model of your car and they will beat any price! Also they are legit I guran****in T it!

tell them Nevermore sent you from www.corpusracing.com.

 

If your OEM dust boots are not rip/broken, you can reuse them. Tire rack are selling KYB Strut Boots for $11 each, so $44 + shipping.

 

who said I sold them? They are coming off soon, putting H&R's in the front, stock springs on the back...all 4 on stock struts.

Canada trip couldnt work out...I do plan on going in April, but the teins wont be by then.

I cant speak for blues with stock springs, but I had them on H&Rs and OMG the ride was so bad, and the H&R drop is very mild.

 

Whoa! What-what-WHAT?!?! WTF...

You're saying that Blues + H&R's the ride was BAD?!
I mean, this is VERY VERY subjective...but I've never seen ANYBODY bang on the Blues+H&R's combo yet. This is news to me.

You wanna comment on this?

I'm on OEM Struts with H&R's up front right now, have been for a year.
Struts are low-miles, and I gotta tell you: the ride is ok, but very "jittery" and uneven. You can feel the Struts just not being able to "keep-up" with the rate of the H&R's.
I'm looking forward to getting rid of OEM struts IN FAVOR of the blues, and likely installing them WITH the FULL set of H&R's front and rear.

Maybe we should take this offline...since I'm beginning to derail Rochester's thread. (sorry man!)

But i want to hear what you're talking about with not being satisfied with your setup. Please.

thks,
gr

*end derail*

 

Could have swore I saw you with a 4-sale thread on the Teins. Figured they would get snapped up pretty quick around here. No sale yet?

Don't worry about the derail, Nate. It's a "where-2-buy" thread anyway... I'll probably delete it when done.

 

Yep, I believe I am the ONLY one to have knocked on the H&R and blues combo. It was actually the first lowering combination I ever had when I got my maxima...the ride was bone jarring, to say the least. I had really high expectations because tons of people said it would be a comfy ride...man, that was not the case.

The blues/HR combination was "better" on potholes compared to bumps in the road, but even then, not comfortable enough. And I had MANY spring/strut combos.

Btw, I know John doesnt mind the thread going O/T, but your review of your strut combo directly conflicts with the review found here:

http://www.shiftice.com/2004_11_09.html

But like you said, it's a very subjective topic.

I wouldnt dont want to discourage you from getting blues but I do want to discourage you from putting the H&R rear springs on. As you can see in that link, just having the front H&Rs on really balances out the ride. I know when I had the full set of H&Rs on, the back had that nasty saggy look...I abhored it.

 

And TOUCHE' my friend!! --you ARE correct, my assessment IS a little off from Housecor's, but let me address these, just for clarification.

1. I chatted with Housecor quite a bit about these setups. My first setup was Illuminas/Progress -- and THAT was some BONEJARRING stuff...lemme tell you. Handled AMAZINGly, but the tradeoff was NOT worth it. **Was running 235/45/17 Kumho ESCTA Supras then, with RSB/FSTB = STIFF Tires!**Changed to 225/50/17 Falken ZIEX 512s, and these were better -- but still bonejarring ride**

2. After dumping the illuminas and progress, I bought H&R's and mated those with the OEM struts. I agree 100% with you: the H&R REar look TERRIBLE!!
Very uneven. Handled well -- but just didn't look right.

3. SO, I went back to full OEM rear, and OEM struts front with H&R's. Not bad. But here's the rub: I think, as some have stated - over time the OEM struts get overwhlemed by the drop of the H&R's, and begin to get "weak".
I had approx. 15k miles on the OEM's when I mated them to the H&R's, and another 15k on the clock...and I think they're starting to show signs of weakness.....hence, my observation of the "jittery" feeling.
It literally feels like a rotational undulation between tires....and before you say it: I JUST had my tires rotated and balanced on a hunter roadforce machine.

SO -- what does all this mean?
Honestly - I'm running out of combinations of spring/strut combos to try....
I know I'm looking for the magic bullet (aren't we ALL!) but if for SOME reason, the Blues/H&R's don't work-out....I'll just go back to the OEM front springs, and call it a decade of ownership.
hell - I'm 38....
The next car I buy -- I will NOT be messing with the suspension like I did with THIS one.

Just my experience thus far. Hope it helps.

gr

**Oh, BTW: I'm running both FSTB, RSB - with OEM 17" Rims, 225/50/17 Bridgestone 960A/S Potenzas**

 

That seems to be a common opinion: that the Blues work best when matched with OEM springs. Anything else shortens the strut life and makes for an uncomfortable experience.

 

For the record, tokico lists the blues with those part number working on cars built from 4/99 to 03. Up to 03/99 you need the 4th gen part number.

 

wish I could help you out with my discount, but even with exchange i can't beat the 313 with free shipping. That's really low.

 

Just bought one set, theres only one left for $313. I also signed up for bing so hopefully when I receive credit or refund the total would have been $282.

Have an install date on 2/18 so I'll be taking pictures and compiling old ones to let you know how the project turned out. Sorry to thread hijack.

 

Not to splash cold water on your ebay experience, but I think that company offers 5% off pretty regularly. That auction you just bought from is closed now, but another one popped up, same company, same struts.

Anyway, $313 free shipping is a great deal, and I took that offer too, just now. Full set of Tokico HP Blues on the way to my door for an April install. My thanks to PuppetMaster for saving me $17 on this transaction.

And now the corner of my office is getting jammed up with stuff.

 

Yea, Rochester, this is probably the lowest I found... Anyways, I just ordered a set as well too. Now I need springs now, and I need to start saving up!

 

Was thinking that, too. If they're not ripped or cracked, I bet you could just clean them up, and condition them with silicone.

I'm going to take a look at the original boots before dropping $50 on a new set.

 

This was a topic back in the summer last year, here's a bit of info from the thread on the replacing with OEM parts - (remember the prices were last summer).



Dave B, and to my local Nissan OEM guy, here are the prices.

#5 16.68 Dave B all per pair
#7 78.28 Dave B
#8 20.04 Dave B
#10 36.60 Dave B
#12 35.04 Dave B
#13 27.32 Dave B
#15 21.28 Dave B all in US dollars of course... so 235 US to do both sides!!!

Local OEM
#5 13.50 each side
#7 72.39
#8 17.31
#10 24.51
#12 30.82
#13 110.14
#15 173.80 so double all these to do the front!!!! or 883CDN holy freaking crap!!

There seems to be two options other than OEM one is KYB's replacement sets you would need their strut assemble replacement and also the dust boot with bump stop assemble (some have said that the boot with bump stop requires a bit of trimming to fit best). The other option is to go with the Moog replace strut kit, and you would most likely have to purchase the dust boot and stop separately similar to the KYB option.

The aftermarket prices were definitely better than OEM but some issues on fitment with the bump stop. Rochester you may want to touch base with Dave B. to get the most updated price quote on replacement parts.

 

I'm just planning on struts, front strut mounts (MOOG; bought already), and re-using everything else, including the OEM springs. The Dust Boots I'll evaluate in March before the install, along with other front-end parts.

 

I bought D2 coilovers. They're gonna ride a little stiff.

 

I was pretty sure that I had read you were going with the moog strut mounts, but thought once I saw that you may be considering having to change the boots ( I got lucky and was able to reuse all the OEM parts) you would find it interesting to see the cost for part number #13 (dust Boots) Dave B's and what the dealership is asking for them. You have the most important parts which are the hat and bearing and hopefully your boots are not to badly worn or torn so they ca be reused.