Tokico HP vs. KYB GR-2 -- how much different?

[euroticcustoms]

Looking to cheaply replace shocks/struts on my 95 AWD before selling it. The front left strut is busted, and I'd like to replace all before selling. I have a stock FWD strut and spring laying around from another DSM I owned, but I'm not sure if I want to put it on or replace all 4.

I found the Tokico HP's on eBay for $168 shipped and the KYB GR-2's for $224 shipped. Not a bad price on either, I guess, but was just wondering if they were comparable in performance?

Thanks ahead of time,

Paul

 

[jtmcinder]

HPs are probably better than GR-2s and new shocks will probably help you sell the car.

- Jtoby

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

If you're going to just sell the car, why not just replace with stock or generics? Usually you don't recover much from aftermarket parts when selling the car to most people.

Also, changing out the struts is expensive as hell for labor. I'm assuming you don't have the equip to safely compress the springs. Installing all four runs $500 the cheapest around where I live and is a 4 hour job. A lot of shops won't touch aftermarket parts thanks to company policy (firestone), so if you go generic and have more choices to have it done, you'd save $. But again, why use aftermarket parts if you're going to sell?

 

[DSMcrazy3]

GR-2's are basically a stock replacement. They can handle a bit more, but not much. I have HP's on my car with sportline springs and they're holding up well! Since the HP's are priced so low you might as well go with them though.

 

[suicidal2af]

If you're going to just sell the car, why not just replace with stock or generics? Usually you don't recover much from aftermarket parts when selling the car to most people.

Also, changing out the struts is expensive as hell for labor. I'm assuming you don't have the equip to safely compress the springs. Installing all four runs $500 the cheapest around where I live and is a 4 hour job. A lot of shops won't touch aftermarket parts thanks to company policy (firestone), so if you go generic and have more choices to have it done, you'd save $. But again, why use aftermarket parts if you're going to sell?

Yes, but when you have a total of 10 nuts and 4 bolts, and a spring compressor only costs about $30, it doesn't really make much sense to pay a shop.

However, I'd agree about the aftermarket thing. Just buy some cheap $20 shocks from autozone.

 

[Black95TSIawd]

Who ever takes 4 hours to change shocks/springs for a 2g is either doing it with their eyes closed or one arm tied behind their back.

Get the HP's, especially since they are better and cheaper. GR-2's are pretty much stock equipment.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Yes, but when you have a total of 10 nuts and 4 bolts, and a spring compressor only costs about $30, it doesn't really make much sense to pay a shop.

However, I'd agree about the aftermarket thing. Just buy some cheap $20 shocks from autozone.

Where's a spring compressor like the ones in a shop for $30 that is guaranteed not to take your head off? Plus I always prefer a professional job where parts and labor are accountable with warranty unless its changing oil or a tire. That way I never find myself on these forums asking why or how something wasn't done right.

Anyways, if I were selling the car I'd leave the blown shocks on there. Most people likely never know anyway.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Who ever takes 4 hours to change shocks/springs for a 2g is either doing it with their eyes closed or one arm tied behind their back.

You never saw how jacked up my suspension was. All four struts blown, springs holding up the car, knocked my camber wayyyy out of wack beyond what RRE camber kits could fix requiring new control arms, some of the stock parts disintigrated when removed for the first time in 10 years. The bumpstops crumbled like feta cheese in the hand, etc. It'd have taken you 6 hours with an extra arm.

 

[TalonJohn94]

Plus I always prefer a professional job where parts and labor are accountable with warranty unless its changing oil or a tire. That way I never find myself on these forums asking why or how something wasn't done right.

Well said.

 

[jtmcinder]

Alternatively, you can read, practice, and experiment until no shop within 100 miles could do a better job than you. It's hard to express in words how that feels, so I'll just say that a closed-ended latex tube is usually involved.

- Jtoby

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Alternatively, you can read, practice, and experiment until no shop within 100 miles could do a better job than you. It's hard to express in words how that feels, so I'll just say that a closed-ended latex tube is usually involved.

- Jtoby

That'd be nice, but not possible with my schedule and no garage anymore -- too hot here to be working on my car outside. I'm currently back in grad school to climb into executive management in the healthcare industry. For now it's easier for me to pay shops. Perhaps later I can spend more time learning and DIY-ing.

 

[No_Skillz]

That'd be nice, but not possible with my schedule and no garage anymore -- too hot here to be working on my car outside. I'm currently back in grad school to climb into executive management in the healthcare industry. For now it's easier for me to pay shops. Perhaps later I can spend more time learning and DIY-ing.

Sorry to hear about your dilemma I guess, but as for the OP - if you have a day or two free, you should be able to tackle the job. The first time I did the suspension on my car, it took me 2 days for all corners. The second time took me 8 hours, and the third took me 3. You get the idea. Cheap autozone spring compressors do the job. They will not "take your head off." I would suggest going for Tokico HPs as well. Don't forget to get an alignment when you're finished.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Cheap autozone spring compressors do the job. They will not "take your head off." .

Ha! Famous last words. Why stop there? He should do his own alignment as well with some mirrors, pen laser, and a protractor. Woot!

 

[oldman]

Ha! Famous last words. Why stop there? He should do his own alignment as well with some mirrors, pen laser, and a protractor. Woot!

You're missing the point, being a DSMer means 70% wrenching and 30% driving. As for never having to post a technical question, have you checked your "thread started" history lately?

I don't trust anyone but myself (from years of relying on "mechanics"), if I need to take some jobs to a shop, I only go to shops that allow me to watch.

 

[RamenPride]

Ha! Famous last words. Why stop there? He should do his own alignment as well with some mirrors, pen laser, and a protractor. Woot!

Unless you're a complete idiot, the chances of injuring yourself using coil spring compressors from Autozone are very slim. Also, just because you have a "trained professional" do work on your car doesn't mean that they won't mess up.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

You're missing the point, being a DSMer means 70% wrenching and 30% driving. As for never having to post a technical question, have you checked your "thread started" history lately?

I don't trust anyone but myself (from years of relying on "mechanics"), if I need to take some jobs to a shop, I only go to shops that allow me to watch.

I was kidding with that comment. I also always watch the mechanics, and I only go to two in the entire state to work on my car. However, accidents have and do happen. I recall some guy on these forums having jacked up his car to work under it only to have one slip and be crushed as his 15 yr old son watched helplessly. I guess he was just an "complete idiot" right?

As for my threads, sure I ask questions. But my point is that I'm not on here asking why I messed up my own car by missing some washer, reconnecting a line wrong, the car just not running right anymore, etc, after a DIY job. I ask about modification advice, then I go have a pro DSMer like Garry Marsh at Speed Injected install parts and tune my ride for me.

The day I spend 70% of my time working on a car vs 30% driving it is the day I junk it and ride a bike. So far its been great other than my starter problem...something I am having a shop replace for me on monday -- oh the shame!!

Look. I'm temporarily in this town finishing up grad school without a garage or tools. I am not working on my car out in florida heat, even if I had time. I am not buying all the tools I need without a garage to put them. Back to OT, I still think OP doesn't need to be spending time and $224 for struts if he is selling the car anyway. Caveat emptor. But his call and his money.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

wait.. are we still discussing hp vs. gr2?

 

[suicidal2af]

Ha! Famous last words. Why stop there? He should do his own alignment as well with some mirrors, pen laser, and a protractor. Woot!

Funny, my springs and a few of my friends have been off with $30 autozone compressors and we all have our heads.

Wasn't aware that a threaded piece of steel could vary in quality.

And with wret's help, I've done my own alignment. Only, it consisted of pivot plates, laser levels, and measurements translated into an aiming board.

Should also note that when checked a few weeks later on an alignment rack, it read exactly what his setup did.

But hey, if you'd rather make excuses to pay someone to do something, then go for it

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Anything can vary in quality. Many an aircraft has suffered catastrophic damage for example just because a single nut or bolt was substituted instead of waiting for the correct one that could take the stress. But hey, people say parachuting and bunjie jumping is statistically safe...have at it!

Check out the turbo tech thread and see what happens when I do my own work, .

 

[oldman]

Anything can vary in quality. Many an aircraft has suffered catastrophic damage for example just because a single nut or bolt was substituted instead of waiting for the correct one that could take the stress. But hey, people say parachuting and bunjie jumping is statistically safe...have at it!

Check out the turbo tech thread and see what happens when I do my own work, .

You're preaching to the wrong crowd, a DSM junkie enjoys the 70% wreching as much as the 30% driving. It's like buying model airplanes then pay someone to put it together for you, what's the point?

 

[No_Skillz]

I wasI recall some guy on these forums having jacked up his car to work under it only to have one slip and be crushed as his 15 yr old son watched helplessly. I guess he was just an "complete idiot" right?

Pretty close. It was a tragedy, but nevertheless, that thread title was "always use jackstands"... you should be able to figure out the rest.

But enough about you already, how is the OP doing about this?

 

[tstkl]

You're preaching to the wrong crowd, a DSM junkie enjoys the 70% wreching as much as the 30% driving. It's like buying model airplanes then pay someone to put it together for you, what's the point?

this thread has sooooooo many good quotes. I say get some used gr-2s for cheap, or some autozone ones for even cheaper, and install them yourself.

 

[jtmcinder]

Funny, my springs and a few of my friends have been off with $30 autozone compressors and we all have our heads.

It's been a while since I cracked open my copy of Warrington's English Grammar, but I believe that the above sentence implies that you have gotten a few of your friends off with a borrowed spring compressor.

I blame sick, sexual websites for the ever-rising bar (as it were) with regard to what people need to do to get themselves (and their friends) off. I will now go and wash my hands about sixty times, since the last time I borrowed a tool from Autozone, it was a bit sticky.

- Jtoby

ps. HPs and GR-2s are quite similar in all but color

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Pretty close. It was a tragedy, but nevertheless, that thread title was "always use jackstands"... you should be able to figure out the rest.

But enough about you already, how is the OP doing about this?

Guess we'd know if he bothered posting again, wouldn't we?