I couldn't get over how easy it is to install these things. If you take you time and line up everything just right, it's a cake job. You really need the right tools though. You need jack stands, good jack, torque wrench, a good set of short sockets, and WD-40, spring compressors. I recommend replacing the dust boots and all shock bushings. I also recommend buying new lower strut locking nuts. I stripped one of mine when I tired to reinstall the strut. The job took me about 45 minutes to do the first strut and about 20 minutes to do the other strut.

The results:
The rear stock struts and dust boots were toasted after riding around for 18000 miles on my ST lowering springs. The GR-2s have a much larger diameter housing than the stock struts and the GR-2s feel much more substainial. The rear end of my car now is perfectly planted and my car rides so much better with much better damping. The stock fronts still feel pretty good compared to what the rears felt like. I was worried that after installing these struts, I wouldn't feel any difference. The difference is huge and I had no idea that the rear struts affect handling so much.

Dave

 

Many people think that the KYB's are like the stock shocks which they are not. I've had the Tokicos before and they were ok for like first 3 months. Then they just kept getting softer and softer. Eventually I blew one of the fronts and replaced with cheaper KYB's. I must say they feel just about the same but it hasn't gotten softer yet. I've had them for over 7 months now. I would actually recommend the KYB's over Tokicos. I'm still waiting for the KYB adjustbles.

 

The KYBs are a bit stiffer than stock which is nice. I figured I'd buy GR-2s for the rear and I'm gonna run the Koni abjustable inserts in the front. I'm starting to use spring blockers in the rear springs at the track, so abjustable Koni really didn't make sense to me. The KYBs are a great buy from what I can tell right now.

Dave

 

KYB's vs. KONI's

 

These are GR-2's, they are comparable to Tokicos not Koni's. These are great for its price, if you're not a hardcore SCCA racer, these will do just fine.

 

Dave, you should consider just getting the Koni fronts along with those new GR2 rears. My old Tokico rears were actually still fine when I pulled them out, but the fronts were toast. I drove around for a week with just Koni fronts and Tokico rears, and the car drove really, really well. The Koni rears only mildly affected the handling/ride. I think that Koni fronts with GR2 rears would be a really decent, cost-effective setup.

 

and where did you get them?

I have konis up front but still have the Tokicos at the rears.

thanks

 

Hmm, this is the first real info I've heard about the GR2's... cool...

I still want KYB AGX's though.

 

I'm gonna run Koni's in the front and KYB in the rear.

The GR-2s are $58 each plus another $5 if you want new KYB bushings (I recommend it, the stock ones were compressed). I paid $130 for the set shipped.

Dave

 

I put 4 GR2's on my 88 and it made a huge difference. I paid $200.00 for all 4 from local auto parts store. The rears took a while because on second generation maximas you have to take out the rear seat to get to the top shock bolts.