[Cervantes107]

I'm ordering some new shocks and I want a comfortable smooth ride, are the tokico hp's as good as they claim? Anyone have any problems with these, or think the blisteens or any other shocks in that ball park are better? Thanks!

 

[Polar Bear]

I have the adjustable Tokico D Spec shock/strut set that AM sells (on clearance) and its very nice. My car is merely a daily driver ride with a family so I can't use the jaw jarring ones that racers use.

 

[cliffyk]

The Tokico HPs for our cars are the same struts/shocks (often down to the part number stamped on the body) as Gabriel's Ultra series--we found this out when my brother bought a set of Tokicos just after I had gotten a set of Gabriels from Autozone.

They differ in that the Gabriel is not a pretty blue colour and does not have the flashy little crimped on chrome cap.

The other difference is that the Gabriel Ultra struts/shocks are only $50/$28 a pop at Autozone (versus $115/$85 a pop for the Tokicos) and come with a lifetime warranty--I am on my 2nd set, not because they went bad but just because I can get new shocks every 35k miles for free.

My brother returned the Tokicos. He had to pay a 15% restocking fee but still saved $175...

 

[98vertgt]

I'm ordering some new shocks and I want a comfortable smooth ride, are the tokico hp's as good as they claim? Anyone have any problems with these, or think the blisteens or any other shocks in that ball park are better? Thanks!

I have h&r springs with tokico hp's and love it.

 

[schmitty426]

The Tokico HPs for our cars are the same struts/shocks (often down to the part number stamped on the body) as Gabriel's Ultra series--we found this out when my brother bought a set of Tokicos just after I had gotten a set of Gabriels from Autozone.

They differ in that the Gabriel is not a pretty blue colour and does not have the flashy little crimped on chrome cap.

The other difference is that the Gabriel Ultra struts/shocks are only $50/$28 a pop at Autozone (versus $115/$85 a pop for the Tokicos) and come with a lifetime warranty--I am on my 2nd set, not because they went bad but just because I can get new shocks every 35k miles for free.

My brother returned the Tokicos. He had to pay a 15% restocking fee but still saved $175...

How are those Gabriel's holding up for you? Can they support a drop well? Lets say 1.5' Or more? I'm very sceptical of buying low end priced products and just woundering how long have u ran with them thus far... Sorry for all the questions but kinda interested lol

 

[cliffyk]

How are those Gabriel's holding up for you? Can they support a drop well? Lets say 1.5' Or more? I'm very sceptical of buying low end priced products and just woundering how long have u ran with them thus far... Sorry for all the questions but kinda interested lol

I ran about 55k miles on the first set, and have 45k or so on the second--as I said there was no problem with them, no leaking or ride control issues, however I was replacing the isolators and thought I'd get a new set, for free under the warranty.

Mt '03 is lowered 1-3/4" give or take. There is not one bit of rocket science in a strut or shock, and as stated above the Gabriel Ultras are the same struts/shocks as the Tokico HPs; buy them both and lay them side-by-side if you do not believe me...

 

[schmitty426]

I ran about 55k miles on the first set, and have 45k or so on the second--as I said there was no problem with them, no leaking or ride control issues, however I was replacing the isolators and thought I'd get a new set, for free under the warranty.

Mt '03 is lowered 1-3/4" give or take. There is not one bit of rocket science in a strut or shock, and as stated above the Gabriel Ultras are the same struts/shocks as the Tokico HPs; buy them both and lay then side-by-side if you do not believe me...

No I believe you lol defiantly will be saving a few bucks with these thanks for the tip cliffy!!

 

[1slosix]

Yeah im running sensa trac shocks from advance.and its.smooth as can be even lowered

 

[1lowGT]

Well looks like I'm gonna have to go to autozone. Anyone have a link for the Gabriel's?

 

[cliffyk]

Well looks like I'm gonna have to go to autozone. Anyone have a link for the Gabriel's?

Just go to Autozone's website, sign up, select your vehicle and look 'em up...

 

[1lowGT]

Just go to Autozone's website, sign up, select your vehicle and look 'em up...

Alright thanks

 

[1lowGT]

These the ones?

 

[cliffyk]

View attachment 85242



View attachment 85243

These the ones?

That they are...

 

[1lowGT]

Is that all I need. The description said no boot was included so hat all do I need

 

[Cervantes107]

Do those Gabriel's feel smooth going over bumps?

---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 PM ----------

Maybe they look the same but have a different type of gas on the inside?

 

[cliffyk]

Do those Gabriel's feel smooth going over bumps?

---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 PM ----------

Maybe they look the same but have a different type of gas on the inside?

They are as "smooth" as one could expect a Mustang to be with struts/shocks that have higher bounce and jounce control than the OEM components. Aftermarket higher/high performance shocks will always "ride" somewhat harsher than the stock components, this is the trade-off for improved handing. Both the Tokico HPs and Gabriel Ultras are 10% to 15% "stiffer" than the stock units.

If you want a ride that is the same as the stock struts/shocks you don't even have to spend the $156 that the Gabriel Ultras cost; you can get OEM quality struts for $35 each and shocks for $13 a pop ($96 total) at RockAuto.

As to gas, they both use nitrogen as do any gas-charged struts/shocks I have ever researched. The high pressure gas (200 to 350 psi) is there to prevent the hydraulic oil from foaming during high speed damping--high speed compression/rebound of the strut, not necessarily high vehicle speed. Obviously should the oil foam it's viscosity will be reduced and so would its damping action. Other than preventing this foaming the gas' influence on suspension control is little to none.

The bottom line is that there is no need to pay the money Tokico charges for the HP "blue" series--the Gabriel Ultra, or Monroe SensaTrac (though I am not a big fan of the Monroes, they do not seem to offer as much control on lowered cars), are just as good for less than 1/2 the cost and when purchased from a FLAPS have lifetime warrantys...

 

[Cervantes107]

Awesome! Thanks


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