KYB's Vs. Tokico's...kinda long
 

So I'm tired of my car riding like hammered crap and I'm about the get some stuff replaced on my stang in the next two weeks or so. Anyways here what my stang has right now. D&D k-member,A-arms, coil overs and strange 10 wy adjustable struts, upr 3 bolt CC plates and I lowered the car about 2.25". The rear is pretty much stock aside from Upper and lower control arms, stock springs and stock shocks. I use to drag race the stang alot back in the day but I haven't been to the tracks in over 2 years. I don't need adjustable struts nor do I give a damn about weight transfer these days. I know I have the wrong struts to start out as strange are drag struts and not suited for daily driving, second I have the wrong rate springs...I have 375 #'s up front..Anyways I got in contact with D&D and they will custom make me a set or springs for my coil overs so that my car will ride better than ever so that takes care of one of the problems. Now I don't want to spend $450 for a set of tokico illuminas struts/shocks as I don't need adjustable struts/shocks since I don't race my car anymore. I've been looking on ebay and the non adjustable tokicos and kyb's seem like a good deal. Can anyone who's had experience with them tell me which would work better for me. Keen in mind that the car will remain at the same height (2.25" lower in the front).Or if you recommend a better strut/shock package i'm open to suggestions...thanks for any help.

4.6

Here's the link to them...
Kyb's
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-G...74196256QQrdZ1

Tokico's
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...75003720QQrdZ1

Tokico's, I run them and some many others do. Personally I think KYB is crap.
PM me if you decide on the Tokico's I know where the best priced set shocks and struts are. That ebay listing is just for the struts and that is way too much.

I had the Strange struts with PA Racing k member, coil overs, a arms, and 4 bolt MM c/c plates. The Strange struts made a ton of noise, and I didnt need the coil overs. I switched to a PA Racing k member with spring perches, Tokico 5 way drag struts (315 shipped BTW), and 4 cyl. fox body springs.

You're taking the right step in getting rid of the Strange struts. However, Id either put the stock k member and a arms back on, get some Tokico struts, and some type of front spring. If you dont like that idea, then I HIGHLY recommend my set up (PA k with perches and stock a arms), except with different springs and fox body struts since you like the car low.

375lbs springs are pretty damn stiff, terrible for drag racing.

Here are some pictures of my Tokico 5 way adjustable drag struts.
http://modularmisfits.com/forums/files/tokico02_103.jpg
http://modularmisfits.com/forums/files/tokico01_138.jpg

If your main concern is ride quality get some Monroe Sensatracs or a premium shock from autozone or a parts store. They are cheaper than the KYB or Tokico and they will for sure ride better.

Not as good for handling but ride is nice.

Monroe sensatracs and other stock replacements are not a good plan with coil overs. The wheel rate with any street spring will be outside the design of those. You'll have 2 shredded struts within a matter of months.

KYB = crap in my book. Never had anything but the worst luck and performance wtih them.

See if you can find yourself a used set of Bullit struts and shocks. Front springs should drop down to 350# unless you're on really really smooth roads. 3 bolt CC plates are asking for strut tower damage on 94+ cars. Please for the love of Gawd upgrade to MM plates... for me.

For the rear, if you get springs then Stock bullit or Mach1 rear springs are great, otherwise FRPP C rears will balance nicely with the 350 or 375# fronts.

I think it'd be insane to bounce your k-member and arms... but that's just me. If you need to chat about suspension longer term PM me some IM info and I'll ping you.... we can chat realtime.

Monroe is garbage and are valved for stock ride height.