Celica Forums General Discussion Exterior KYB AGX Adjustable Shocks/ Struts Question

Tell me what you guys think about these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...TRK%3AMEWA%3AIT [cgi.ebay.com]

I just got 18*8 ADR Kasai's and the gap is monster truckish!!! So I got Tein S Tech's on the way and I'm guessing that my factory shocks/struts are pretty much blown. By the way I have a 2000 GTS w/auto and 53k miles.

I want to know if I need these and if so are they any good.

Also, if I will need anything else to make this setup work (besides a body kit, one is on the way too).

Thanks in advance.

springs and struts should do it, and yes these are plenty good

i'll sell you mines for $300. had them on for about three months but i'm trying to sell my car.

pm me for more info or check out this link

https://celicahobby.com/ubbthreads/thread.f2_1953280957_0_collapsed_5_93_1.html#1953280957

Struts will help handling a lot, possibly more than springs. They keep the car more level during turns, reducing weight transfer and maintaining stability. The ride will also be smoother wthan with the stock struts when it comes to using lowering springs. S-Tech/AGX is a very good combo (experienced it in my friend's car) and is very cost effective, too.

Thanks again for the input. Anyone else?

BUMP!!!

I've been told that these are good struts but that they are high.(not refering to price btw) Koni Yellows are supposed to be lower and are also very good.

All aftermarket struts for our cars (TRD/KYB GR2, KYB AGX, Tokicos, Koni Yellows) are the same height, since they're all made to fit stock height. The only way you can get shorter struts is to have them custom made. Koni does this (Koni Reds), but it's not cheap. You'd be better off getting coilovers with the money you would spend.

Okay...This might sound dumb but here it goes.

What is the difference with a regular sized strut (OEM) and a shorter one?

I thought that they were all supposed to be the same size to fit properly and that it didnt matter anyway because the lowering springs would determine the ride height.

Now I'm more confused than before. Any input will be great!

Shorter struts are capable of handling springs that drop lower than 1.5". When you use a spring that's lower than 1.5", the stock/aftermarket strut is already compressed pretty far down compared to stock height when the car sits still. When you hit a bump, the strut goes all the way down. This wouldn't be bad if it didn't happen a lot. Since it does, it causes more stress than usual on the strut, wearing out its seals because of excess pressure. Bottoming out is even worse on them.

With a shorter strut, the strut is compressed as much as the stock ones would be at stock height (aka not much at all), and the shorter stroke of the short strut matches up with the shorter travel of the spring. If you've ever seen a set of coilovers, you'd know how short the struts need to be to handle their drop (usually down to 2.5" max).

Okay that seems simple enough...

So if the springs I'm using are a 1.4in drop all around (TEIN S Tech) then I shouldnt need short struts, right?

Thanks again.

Yup, they work fine with regular height struts. I'm using them with stock struts, and my friend is using them with KYB AGXs, both stock height struts, and both of us have no problems.

Awesome...thats exactly what I wanted to hear(read).

My springs are on their way from somewhere in the US and should arive on Monday (according to UPS tracking).

Once that is installed and I win the FL Lotto I will be purchasing the AGX struts/shocks. Thanks for the info.

BUMP...For good measure...

but i have hotchkis springs 1.4 in the front and 1.9 in the rear should i not get kyb agx's

Your rear struts won't last as long as the fronts, especially with the stiffer spring rates of Hotchkis.

Okay, here we go again. I just got my TRD Front Brake Pads a few minutes ago and the Tein S Techs will get here same time tomorrow.

I've been planning on taking them to the local Goodyear because that is where I bought my Falken tires and had them installed. The Manager and Mechs are about my age and were very cool. I told them that I will be bringing the pads in to be installed and to get a brake service done. Instead of charging $129.99 the manager said he would charge $75 for labor only. I then told him I was also bringing in the springs at the same time so that they "could help me put them on." I didnt ask how much and he didnt mention a price. I know that nothing is free but I'm making a plan B just in case they try to charge me more than what I am willing to pay. This is where you guys come in.

I already caled the local Toyota dealer and they said it was 1.5 hrs of labor on each corner and that it would cost about $450. So that is not an option. Any ideas?

Also, my neighbor has a close friend that is a mechanic and she is going to talk to him for me. Maybe he will provide the tools and give me a hand but I am keeping that as a last case scenario.

By the way, sorry about the long story. I just don't like leaving out any details.

1.5 hrs of labor on each corner my ass. Installing springs is a piece of cake when you've got a lift. Installing them by yourself isn't very complicated, either. Just make sure you have an impact wrench and a torque wrench and you'll be set. A spring compressor is helpful but not necessary.

Anyone in the Tampa area know where is a good place to get them installed for a good price? Let me know.

Good News!!!

I got my stuff in and went to the Goodyear to get my TRD pads put on and they quoted me $300 just for the springs installation. Something about taking the OEM springs off of the OEM shocks only to put on an aftermarket spring onto the OEM shocks that had all the shops worked up.

I went everywhere and was quoted anywhere from $200 to $465 for the springs installation alone.

Finally I thought of a guy I met at the Tampa meet on 16 Oct and he referred me to Racing Integration here in Tampa and I have an appointment to get it done for $100.

What a happy ending for my credit card!!!

Also, do I have to get an alignment when its done?