awilkie

My front shocks on my 81 ZX are dying & I need replacements.
I'm wanting to go with a performance setup, but I don't know which would be the best.

I've looked at shox.com and they have this listed:
018. Tokico Advanced Handling Kit 1979 - 1983 Kit contains struts and springs, lowers car 1 inch. Not available for 2+2. 368.07

It doesn't say if it's for the front or front/rear. Most sets of Tokicos I've seen for all-around are over $500. Can anyone help me out?

What would you run/pay for a performance suspension? Where can I get a good deal?

skib

take a look around MSA (thezstore.com)

awilkie

Yeah...I'd have to source each shock & the springs separately. Comes to about $580 before tax. There's a set online (somewhere) of Tokico HPs for $500 including the springs.

Bleach

I bought the Tokico set from shox.com
It is for all four corners. Four springs, two struts, and two shocks. It is the best deal you'll find. They also have free shipping.

1SlowZX

Is that a 1" Drop all around ?

Bleach: Care to comment on how they make the Z feel?

BlueKitsune

Would be nice if they made a set for 2+2s!!!

Bleach

It works on a 2+2 just fine.

The Tokicos are a 1.5" drop. I put the rear in but the front is not done. I'm still driving on the factory cut springs. I'd say the Tokicos are a step in the right direction but still too soft for my taste. No springs seem firm enough after driving a 350Z.

SHADY280

mercedes springs are the way to go. way stiffer than any non coilover in a 280zx. im still pondering the front, it handles so nice right now, coils could upset the balance and make me need rear coils too.

PurePontiacKid

I've got Tokico blues all around with Acme2 generic (EG Civic/DC2 Integra) slip on coilover kit springs. It's definitely a step up from stock, but I think it need stiffer springs (especially since I want fitted wheels )

280ZXT

I just had the Tokico HPs installed on my '83ZXT 2+2.
And I mean JUST. I got the car home 30 minutes ago.

The wheel well height before was 26 1/4", now it's 25".
1 1/4 inch drop, looks nice.

At the same time I had a complete urethane bushing kit installed.
Plus new ball joints of course.

And new braided brake lines. That didn't seem to make any difference in peddle firmness. Maybe the benefit is not realized until you really stomp on the brakes.

New tires 215/60/15 General Ultima HP on the stock turbo wheels 15x7. Nice grippy tires. My other tires were over 10 years old (I don't drive much) and had hardened over time. They would not get any traction on wet pavement. It was a scary car to drive in wet weather.

Very nice package for sprited street driving.

The only thing I would have done differently would be to get slightly larger tires like 225/55/15. This would bring the tire height to 628.5mm, only 1.5mm taller than the stock 627mm height of the original 205/60/15s.

The next step is to order the 12.2" big brake kits from Dave at Arizona Z.
He said I needed 13.75" inside the wheel to clear the calipers. He wasn't sure if the stock wheels had it. So I measured and found 14.2".

Good to go. I just wish it had 200 more HP.

WanganDevilZ

Anyone know if you can do shocks and struts on your own?

I've got a set on the way, and want to know if i can do it by myself.

NismoPick

um... that's like asking if anyone can rebuild an engine on their own. If you know how, or can at least follow instructions, yes.

WanganDevilZ

Should i be able to just jack it up, unbolt everything and put it back in without any special equipment...

Or is this srsbsnss?

audiofreak97

If you are doing the Tokico/Eibach set the rears are just unbolt the old and put in the new. The fronts you need to rent a spring compressor. Very simple, but you may want an extra set of hands to make things easier.

WanganDevilZ

Set of Tokico blues, and thanks for the heads up, would suck to have everything ready and then need something else >.<

Bleach

I used a spring compressor on all four springs to remove them. The lowering springs go in without needing to be compressed.

WanganDevilZ

The 1 inch Lowering springs?

Z_lover

I know this is an old thread, but just a quick question on wheel alignment after shock/spring replacement. Has everyone who installed the Tokico springs needed a 4 wheel alignment after installation? If so, did you align the car to factory specs or if not, what specs did you go with?

Bleach

The rear is non-adjustable.

I did adjust the toe on the front of one 280ZX. I did it myself at home and its close enough.

The other car I dropped more but adjusted the caster with adjustable tension rods. That brought the toe into spec as far as i can see. I should have gotten an alignment but it drives fine and the tread is not wearing uneven by any means.