goredcar

Just got the Tokico shocks installed and had the shop set it to the middle position (3). Curious to know what you guys run for everyday riding. Have you experimented with different front and back settings or do you tend to keep them the same? So far they feel really good at 3.

Also curious how the hell you adjust the rears... I can see no easy way to get at the rear adjusters. Any recommendations?

I was a but surprised at the labor charges… I was charged 2.9 hours for the front and another 2.9 for the rear, and the guy said that he had to take the back seat out? Does this make sense???

mnd643

Yep....they have to remove the back seat because the rear shock bolts behind the back seats. As for 2.9 on the front..idk...but im glad to see your happy with em. Mine will be here thusday....H&R's are here tomorrow!!

Stealth CL

5! less body roll, and still rides to my liking for everyday driving.

2.9 hours for fr. and back? it took me and my friend like 2 hours for everything

goredcar

Wow... looks like I got hosed on the installation. So you are running the full firm... 5. I am set at 3 front and back right now and it is hugely improved over the stock struts.

How do you get at the back adjusters?

Sun Diego CL-S

i have tried a few variaions and have ended up with 3 in the front and 4 out back for everday driving. i had 5 on all corners and just felt it to be so rough on these crappy roads that are slowly being patched up. there was just too much road noise being communicated into the cabin and even the steering wheel. so i ended up having the aforementioned setting to feel comfortably sporty.

goredcar

Did some moderately aggressive driving today, and these shocks are fantastic. With a setting of 3 they are actually more comfortable than stock, but handle so much better. You will love them!

Stealth CL

yeah i love the stiff feel, and our roads are actually pretty nice around here so it all works out. You have to take out the rear seat to get to the adjusters, it is kinda a pain. or you can drill a hole on the rear deck to fit a screwdriver through...but then its hard to see what your clicking it too

DutchCLS

can anyone comment on the Tokico Blues vs. Tokico adjustable? (If you have ridin in them both) I'm currently running h&r with the blues and I'm finding the ride a little stiff.

Stealth CL

IDK. i havent ridin on the Blues before, couldnt tell ya... sorry

6peedSleepR

the blues ride as if the illuminas are set at 2 all around.. (ive had them both)

DutchCLS

thanks JDM, i guess it's not really worth me going to the adjustables...

goredcar

With my current setting of 3 (front and back) I find the steering to be quite a bit more "twitchy". I think this is as a result of less understeer, so I experimented with making the front a little softer than the back for more understeer.

The backs are really tough to get to so I just dropped the fronts one position for 2 front, 3 back (I really would have preferred to try 3 front, 4 rear), and I found the steering quality to be much more stable, with less "road steer". However... I noticed some squeking from the fronts with this low setting.

Has anyone else noticed this? It went away as soon as I returned to postion 3 in front.

BTW... does anyone have any tips for removing the rear seat?

Stealth CL

I also heard a faint squeaking from the rears when i set them soft...but didnt like it that way anyways, so now im on 5.

To remove the rear seats check out Nitequills (spell that right?) thread in the FAQs section, on how to install shocks. gives pics too.

Stealth CL

never mind guess they removed that.
1-pull up and out on the "ass" part of the seat.
2-remove the 4 bolts you see holding in the "back" part of the seat.(2 for the storage thing, 2 for the seat.)
3-lift the "back" of the seat up and out. (might have to bent it like a "U" a little to remove it easier....and same when putting it back in. Thats the hardest part.)
4-see your shock tower up in the corners.
5-Reinstall. Make sure you've found your favorite setting though

oh and all the bolts are 10mm

Sun Diego CL-S

i had it set like at 2 and never heard amy squeaks or anything of the sort. just heard some clunks immediately after installing them. but that was it.

it is pretty easy to take the seats out. and when putting it back together, just align all the holes up and put the bolts on like halfways to have them all in order then tighten. those seats are so light. even the big ass piece which is the seatbacks. no wonder people said it is pointless to try taking those out when trying to reduce weight.

goredcar

Thanks Stealth! Appreciate the instructions as I have never had the back seat out.

goredcar

I heard a clunk too... but it was my sub enclosure rolling around as the dipshit installers removed the anchor for some reason and never re-connected it.

furious1smitul

This is good info... I got my Illuminas this past week, waiting on my Tein H-Techs to get in so I can get it installed. I was thinking 3 Front and 3 Rear... sounds like I may be better off with 3F and 4R.

Sun Diego CL-S

yeah definitely. 3F/4R has got to feel 10x better than 4F/3R. imagine having the latter setup and going into a missed pothole.

furious1smitul

In Philly there isn't such a thing as a missed pothole, it's pretty much unavoidable!

goredcar

Sounds like Philly roads are like ours... especially after winter, the potholes are everywhere.

I think that a setting of 4 rear 3 front is pretty much perfect... at least for may taste.

Joe5.0

I started out at 3/3 and was pleased with the ride & handling. There was still some bodyroll and pitch, but tons less than stock. I put it on 5/5 when I put my 19's on and felt it was a bit harsh, but it handled a TON better. I put it back on 3/3, but it felt too soft since I got used to the handling at 5/5. Then tried a couple combination of 3/4, 4/4, and 4/5. I ended up leaving it at 5/5 and living with the slightly bumpy ride. I just couldnt give up the increase in handling for a mildly better ride.

When winter rolls around and the 16's go back on I will probably go back to 3/3 due to the potholes we get aroundd here.

Stealth CL

I love the 5/5 handling

goredcar

Has anyone installed extensions so that it is easy to adjust the rears without the joy of pulling the back seat? I see some guys have done this with the Konis, but the adjustable top looks a bit different on our T5s.