Tokico's website shows only their "Performance" shocks to fit my 2004 I35. Does anyone have the Illumina P/Ns? Would they be the same as those shown for 2000-2003 Maxima?

Hey, I've been a member of this forum for 5 years and I'm still a "Newbie"?

 

Yes, struts listed for the 2000-2003 Maxima will work.

 

MetaOrbit -- thanks. Last night I found the P/Ns and lots of info on the Illuminas. It's rare to see an aftermarket product get this much praise. Don't know why none of the vendors show them listed for the I35.

As you may recall, my 2004 I35 has a had a problem with a "bouncy" rear end ever since I bought it. Infiniti finally told my dealer to change the rear springs, but used the same P/N, thinking maybe the original springs were bad out of the box. Anyway, the new springs were noticeably stiffer when I left the dealership, but as soon as I put passengers in back, the bouncing and bottoming resumed. I am fed up with Infiniti, so will try the Illuminas. I hope my car's problem is simply poor damping and not a spring rate that's too low.

 

Good luck with that. I'd venture to say though, if the rear is actually bottoming out that it's likely the spring isn't stiff enough. If it's simply bouncing a lot though, then the illuminas will probably help.

I'm puzzled though. I never had the problem you described when my suspension was stock and I definitely don't have a problem with it now that the suspension is aftermarket.

 

I'm hoping that by controlling rebound, the rear won't rise up as much after hitting a bump. And if it doesn't, it won't drop with as much force, not to mention the increased compression damping that should act like a stiffer spring.

If the Illuminas are anything like the adjustable Ranchos I put on a Jeep several years ago, they will make my car feel like it has stiffer springs. In fact, the Ranchos made the Jeep feel like I stiffened the front and rear sway bars as well as the springs.

One last question: Am I going to run into problems by just changing the rears? Although, buying a set of 4 is cheaper than buying front a rear separately -- around $430 incl shipping.

 

You won't run into any problems changing just the rears. Truthfully, you'll probably experience a feeling of better handling with the stiffer rear, as stiffer rear suspension tends to increase oversteer versus the understeer our FWD are prone to.

And if you look around, you can order a front pair + a rear pair separately for the same total price as all 4 at the same time. That's what I did (though I did my front first, for different reasons).

 

Rear Illuminas installed and set to #3. Problem solved.

Did it myself. First side took ~3 hours, second took less than 1 hour. Hardest part was getting to the outboard nut on the top mounts.

I was concerned the stiffer rear would make the front feel bouncy, but it's fine. I think I'll mail the old OE shocks to Infinity!

In a post on the Maxima forum, someone said installing Illuminas was the single best modification he ever made. I'll second that.

 

Glad it all finally worked out for you.

3 is probably a good setting. I think the stock struts are underdampened (or whatever the correct terminology is there) and are probably closer to a 2 setting. The 3 setting probably better matches with the stock springs.

With my H-Tech springs, which are SLIGHTLY lower but definitely stiffer, the 4 setting seems to work well.

Again, glad it all worked out well. And yeah, the hardest part about doing the rear is getting to those nuts in the trunk.

 

When I eventually put Illuminas on the front, I may go with slightly lower springs all around. What's the ride like with your H-Techs? I like "firm" but not so firm that the dash creaks every time I hit a tar strip! My tires are OEM Turanzas, and future tires will be all-season touring, with an emphasis on smooth and quiet.

 

If you like comfort, don't get lowering springs period.

My H-Techs aren't bad, but there are times that I hate them, particularly on bad/rough/bumpy roads and when I hit large bumps or holes.

On smooth, good roads though, I can't tell a difference between them and stock. For that matter, neither can any of my friends or family.

I'll say this though. If you want springs that are pretty comfortable, H&R or H-Techs are probably your best bet. I'd venture to say, however, that H&Rs are probably more comfortable than H-Techs, simply because they don't drop as much in the front (and therefore retain more suspension travel).

I think if I had to go it over again (since I have lowering springs simply for looks), I'd probably do what some others have done, and just install H&R front springs and use the stockers in the rear.

 

Are you guys having a nice conversation? haha.

Yeah, our cars will definitely overstear if pushed hard with a stiffened up set-up. I ride on Eibachs and Illuminas (4/4) which is not a set-up you want for comfort, but I love them.

My buddy was driving my car last night and took an offramp way too fast. He usually drives trucks, so I guess he was taking advantage of the situation. I just braced myself and let the suspension do its job. The rear end started to slide out, but he was amaized at how controled it was.

Good to hear you have remedied your problem mwbres! the Illuminas are great, as you now know. Definitely replace the front struts too... And the springs when you get a chance

 

LOL and you now tell me. Man I can't wait to go back to my summer wheels. I can't stand the suspension travel that my winter wheels are doing to me and the car. I tried every setting and combo with the illuminas and came to a conclusion that it's the stupid blizzak tries. ARRGGHH. I had no problems with my summer set up with the illuminas set to 4 all around.

A couple things that I do like about the illuminas is the elimination of the back/rear bottoming out and the even drop (after springs settled). I too have a 2004 I35 and I think the illuminas were a great investment along with the tein springs. I can take the bouncing all around compared to the look of an uneven drop. I hate to see lowered cars looking unbalanced with the rear sagging to much or the rake look that comptech springs do to acura cars.

 

Haha..you have to realize, I made that post RIGHT after I got back in town from a visit to Syracuse, NY. I had a rental Stratus (yuck) with the softest suspension ever and 16" wheels and it rode like hell. I think I saw potholes bigger than me up there. I just kept thinking...I like the law school...but I can't stand the cold, and there's no way in hell I'd be able to drive my car around up here.

So, that kinda frames my opinion on suspension at the moment, LOL.

 

Just FYI, you may want to try something like a Pirelli winter tire. Several years ago when I lived in Colorado, I bought a set of V-rated 205-55x15 Pirellis (forgot the model) for a Mazda 626. On dry pavement they gave up little, if anything, to the OE Bridgestone RE92 V-rated tires. Since I wore them out in one winter (20K miles Oct-April) I bought some less expensive Yokahamas the next winter. They were fine in the snow but felt horrible on the dry. It was like I had 175-75 Pep Boys tires on each corner.

 

Mwbres, where did you buy your Tokico adjustable illuminas? I have an awkward situation. I have a 2003 I35 Sport and the suspension is just too harsh for me. I am really looking for comfort here so guys, please help me out. First of all, I do not want to lower the car so I was thinking about getting 2003 Maxima GLE springs or 2004 Base I35 springs while installing the Tokico adjustable illumina struts. Guys, all I can say is that I have had pretty bad shake-ups in this car due to the suspension. Going over an uneven to bumpy road on the highway is a nightmare as I have to really fight to keep this car under control. Rumble strips might as well be called earthquake strips also.

I called an Infiniti dealer and they were nice enough to compare part numbers with me. The 2003 I35 Sport has stiffer springs and struts, it also has harder bushings and thicker sway bars. The good thing is that I won't need to touch the bushings or sway bars and they should keep the car in decent check through twists and turns.

(Lee, I could really use that help you once offered me on FA.com bud.)

Could Base 2004 I35 springs with the adjustable illuminas give me the kind of cushiony ride that I am looking for? Also fellas, what components would I need to replace/buy? I was told that buying new bump stops and cutting them a bit would really make this change easy to deal with. You see, I have never "modded" or changed any of my cars from their complete stock forms ever in my 7 year ownership history of vehicles so any help here is really, really appreciated, thank you.

 

Got my rear Illuminas from PerformancePeddler.com -- $100.17 /ea w/ free shipping.

My rear springs are P/N 55020-2Y017. With the shocks set to #3, the ride is firm and controlled, but not harsh. Haven't tried them on #2, and I expect #1 would be similar to stock and let the rear bottom with passengers in the back seat.