Where can I get OEM or equavilant struts for a 02 Protege 5 ?
 

Anyone know an online supplier of OEM or equilvalant struts?

tokico HP

try www.protegegarage.com

ask Ken to help you out.

When replacing the struts, do I have to replace the spring also, or just the struts?

You can do the strut only but if you plan on lowering your ride that's the perfect time to do it. I second the protegegarage.com / Ken advice. He'll hook you up with probably the best deal you can get anywhere (whether stock or Tokico)

Id rather not lower my ride, since I live in Southern Louisiana. The roads are not that great around New Orleans, lots of potholes. I already scrapped the front of my bumper a couple of times :)

Might also support and explain the need for new struts ...

Tokico do have a lifetime warranty if you don't lower your car more than 1.5" all around, and since you don't plan on lowering your ride at all ... if this is a car you would like to keep around for a while then it might be worth the extra money. If you're gonna get rid of it just buy a single OEM strut and be done with it.