Replacing Stock Struts...

[dbanker]

My 99' Solara has about 65,000 miles on it and needs its stock struts replaced. I enjoyed the ride they provided but wouldn't mind adding a LITTLE more stiffness on them. Does anyone have any advice as to which struts would be a good choice withought having to worry about switching the springs with it? I'm looking for something that is high quality and an upgrade on the stock struts. Thanks!

[cdssolara]

If you're going to stick with your stock springs (why?), then look into KYB struts. I think they're just slightly stiffer than stock, and are a good replacement for OE.

[TITO]

I have KYB struts but I added intrax springs, good price and I'm very pleased with this setup. Not to stiff and better handling.

[dbanker]

Which kind of KYB struts and intrax springs do you have? How does the ride quality differ from what the stock setup was?

[TITO]

KYB gas adjust with 1.6" lowering springs. It's a little stiffer than stock, not too much, but handles much better.

[cdssolara]

Which kind of KYB struts and intrax springs do you have? How does the ride quality differ from what the stock setup was?

I would only say to go with the KYB's if you're sticking with stock springs. If you're planning to lower the car, you probably will want some slightly firmer struts. Rather than repeat myself, see my post on your other thread.

[dbanker]

What would be my best option if I wanted to keep my car the same height, but get new struts and springs?
I'd like to keep the ride similar to how it is with maybe a little added firmness. I plan on getting the rear strut assembly to help reduce body roll and improve cornering. I'm not looking to race my car around (although that would be a damn good time), just to improve the performance somewhat while keeping the ride relatively smooth.

[Flipside909]

I'm a full advocate of Tokico HP series. I have over 20k miles and had them in for more than a year now. Still gives me a good balance of comfort with performance.

[dbanker]

Just checked out the Toxico HP's and they could definitely be an option. How would you describe the ride difference from the stock struts compared to the HP's? How much of the smooth ride do they give up?

Also, what would be some good springs to go with them that wouldn't lower the car at all? Or would these struts work better if they were used with lowering springs? One more thing.....could these struts work with the stock springs sufficiently, or would getting some new one's be a good idea??? thanks-

[dbanker]

One more question.....I've been looking at some Toxico HP struts and all I've seen are matches for the Camery 97 - 01. Are these the struts you're refering to that will fit a 99 solara?

[Peter]

i dont see why you dont wanna lower your car, the center of gravity would be lower to the ground therefore giving you better handlight and a lot less roll. but whatever floats your boat. i think it'd be pointless to get new shocks without a set of lowering springs.

[dbanker]

I wouldn't mind lowering it, and therefore getting better handling, but I also want to minimize as much as possible not sacraficing ride quality. Or could I lower and still get a really good ride? Most of my driving I'd like to just keep the ride smooth.
Most people I've talked to said when you lower, because of the lower center of gravity you'll need a stiffer strut to compensate, and therefore ride quality MUST be stiffer. Part of the reason I got this car was because I enjoyed its ride...

[Peter]

i have heard from everyone with the eibach/tokico combo say taht the ride quality is still very nice. it will no doubt be stiffer, but not crazy stiff. im installing eibach w/ stock shocks for now and i wonder how my ride will be. i plan on getting tokico's later on. in my opinion, the stock suspension on the solara is a little bouncy, so making it a little stiffer would be perfect

[dbanker]

I've looked around a bit and it looks like the Toxico HP's run about $400 or so for the set is the best I've seen. How much are those eibach springs that you got? And which ones are you refering to?
I think I've read they're pretty much the same as the TRD's except they both lower around 1.6" or something along those lines.

one more thing...what would be a good guess as to how much it'd be to have struts/springs installed?

[Peter]

i dont know anything about install prices cuz i do everything myself...or will.

i got the eibachs for free cuz i made a flyer for my friends shop.

tokico hp? you have a link?