bazooka joe

ya, they're listed, here's the address, they just came out so they haven't added the part numbers to the site yet. protege5online.com has them

http://www.tokicogasshocks.com/car/appresults.asp

greenlantern94

wait i just realized, you have a 2002 protege. i have a 1st generation. but someone else mentioned tokico's for the 1st gen, where can i get them?

kylemce

i can get the tokico strust or how ever u spell them for 40 a strut from a place down here if u want i can get and ship for u. but like say there 160 usd not counting tax and shippin and i can get the ebach springs for 190 for a 1 inch drop

temrich

I have Eibach springs with the Ford ZX2 Tockico struts and it handles great! (Do a search and you'll find lots of discussions about this combination.) I too have only done the sway bar bushings but it made a nice difference. I autocross my car and like the combination of stiff but not too stiff and low but not too low.

For those of us that live in the real world with bumpy roads, a lot of the lowering springs and stiff struts just aren't usable, this combination is excellent.

tom

greenlantern94

that sounds good to me. i went to www.oemfordparts.com. the tokicos you're talking about, thats the set they have there: 150$ for 4? "Heavy duty Tokico struts" if so, do they fit right in, or what mods do i have to do to fit em in. thanks guys!

temrich

You will need 2 new ZX2 front upper bearings (little flat things, about $25), I recall they are listed with the struts; if not, do that search and find some of the earlier threads. Your old ones (which are probably completely shot anyway) will not fit.

Also, the top of the strut rod (the threaded part) is machined down 1" for springs that drop the car 1". If you use these struts with standard springs, or springs that lower the car too far, they won't work as well and can prematurely wear out. They are designed for a 1" drop and should be used that way.

If your car is old and has lots of miles, I'd also recommend replacing the front upper strut mounts. The rubber wears out and the top of the strut will move around whenever you hit a bump. If the idea is to make the car handle better, this is a must.

That's it.

tom

greenlantern94

www.shox.com has "HP Series non-adjustable struts", and www.nopionline.com has "Premium Performance Struts"

are these the same?? and can either or both of them handle lowering 1 inch with eibachs??

thanks

greenlantern94

sorry, i forgot to say both of those are tokico's

greenlantern94

nevermind that last question, i've pretty much decided on the tokico zx2s with eibach springs, from what i've read this is a good setup. i've heard that the eibachs are softer than other springs like H&Rs, which is good, cause this is my daily driver. my only question is, how is this setup for handling?

thanks everyone