Shock/Strut Recommendations Please

greenscobie86 · Feb 28, 2010

Hello,

I've been searching quite heavily on this topic but I would still like an opinion of the suspension folks here @ SN95Forums.

My 96 Cobra vert is in pretty desperate need of shocks/struts.

I had H&R SS's paired with KYB GR2's and stock Motorcraft shocks(not a wise choice) on my old GT.

With the Cobra I am not looking to go for an extreme drop, but rather a more "touring/mild" solution.

The car will not be getting lowering springs, the only thing that will be done to bring the front end down is a removal of both upper/lower ISO's.

So what is a good set of shocks/struts to use if I'm staying with stock springs?

Would the KYB GR2's/Gas Adjusts in the rear be a good setup?
How about The Tockico Blue's?

My budget for shocks/struts is gonna be around $350~$400 due to the fact that I also want to get ball joint boots/sway bar links/bushings to further refresh the suspension.

Thoughts?

Blind · Mar 1, 2010

find some take-off 03/04 cobra bilstein struts for the front, and a set of bilstein HD's for the rear, should be within budget easily.

5litrarag · Mar 1, 2010

What he said.

greenscobie86 · Mar 1, 2010

Ok thanks guys.

So a set of used 03 Cobra struts up front will be the best way to go then? Even for a stock spring rate with no lowering?

Blind · Mar 1, 2010

if you want the best ride quality, yes

greenscobie86 · Mar 1, 2010

Gotcha.

So I guess NO one here has ever used Tociko's?

I am going to stay away from KYB's since I've had them on my car before and they certainly weren't the "best."

Blind · Mar 1, 2010

I used tokiko blue's, aka HP before going with bilsteins, and they were no better than stock even with very mild steeda comp springs. I never ran them with stock springs, however.

greenscobie86 · Mar 1, 2010

Ok great! Thats what I really needed to hear. I've never ridden in a Tociko equipped car so I was looking for first hand experience.

adrift · Mar 1, 2010

This is a timely thread. I was just considering Tocikos cause I seem to read a lot of people using them around here. Guess I should reconsider.

greenscobie86 · Mar 1, 2010

So after a bit of searching I've found some members here saying that even KYB(gas adjust series) and Tockico HP's are an OK piece...

http://sn95forums.com/index.php/topic,28881.0.html

That being said, I would love to just spend the money(which I don't have) on Bilsteins. i'm huge fan of their quality/parts.

cntchds · Mar 1, 2010

I have Tokico blues (HPs) and I could not like them less. I have very modest Mach 1 springs (Front:600lb/in Rear:250lb/in) and my car bounces all over the road. I am upgrading soon after less than a year with these shocks. Some people can grin and bear them since they probably won't blow with even fairly high spring rates, but they are terrible for ride quality.

I completely agree that trying to find a set used Bilsteins is a great choice, and if some time down the road they need to be rebuilt, it's 50 dollars a piece... Which is a lot better than having to buy a whole new set of dampers.