Lifted 4 inches... 1 year later - Tired of my soft susension

[dcbryan]

Hey guy's here lots more info about my car - http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17531

To summarize, 97 wagon running 98 outback shocks and springs, which I pulled from a junk yard for $50. The car's been running great, but the one major issue I have is how soft the suspension is. If I stand up on the bumper I can bounce the thing up and down like I'm on a waterbed. Major dips in the road, if I hit them at a pretty good speed, I bottom out, hard.

It's the shocks I need to upgrade right? The rides plenty high, so the springs are doing there job.

I'm sure there's lots of options out there, I'm looking for the best bang for my buck, should I head back to the junk yard and pull some forester shocks? Or buy something new like these (http://www.amazon.com/KYB-741045-Manually-Adjustable-Absorber/dp/B000CO9Q4K)? I want major stiffness.

Also, anybody have more info about front bumpers like this - http://bit.ly/jV56b8 I'm going for an 'end of the world'/Dakar rally look. And that ****'s sweet!

[williaty]

If you're running stock 98 OBS springs and you're hitting the limit of travel hard during anything on-road, you're definitely in need of better damping. If you jump on/off the bumper, it should travel down, reverse, slow down while traveling up, and stop completely right about the time it gets back to normal ride height. If it bounces up above ride height and then comes back down again before settling, the dampers are shot.

[dcbryan]

Yeah, it's definitely my shocks. What should I do to get this thing rock solid? Or at least more solid?

Also, did my own research and found out all about the tubular bumpers I was looking. They used to be made by MudRat Fabrication (http://www.oregonoffroadsubaruclub.org/bumpers_index.html), not sure if he still makes them, but they were too expensive for me anyway. Wonder how I can DIY that project...

[williaty]

For what you're up to, you want the Tokico D-Specs, or stock 04 STi struts re-valved by Feal Suspension (you don't want straight stockers though).

Both are going to be a bit of a dance to make fit properly and have correct camber since you're soooo high, but they're really the only contenders out there for the shape you're in. GR2, AGX, Koni... none of them are going to cut it for you.

[dcbryan]

So to recap -

The best price I found for the Tokico's was here (http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/77A5437A3710419.aspx?kc=ffskupo), for $565.

or

I Junkyard a set of STI shocks, for maybe ~$100 then pay $475 to have then revalved.


I'd probably go with the new ones, since they're the same price and less hassel than revavled STI's.

[bue car]

but are the toki's fixable like the sti ones? think about that future... to be honest idk

[williaty]

So to recap -

The best price I found for the Tokico's was here (http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/77A5437A3710419.aspx?kc=ffskupo), for $565.
Call and make sure they have a set to sell you at that price. That's the old D-Spec pricing, not the current pricing.

I Junkyard a set of STI shocks, for maybe ~$100 then pay $475 to have then revalved.
Remember that they have to be 2004 and ONLY 2004 struts.

but are the toki's fixable like the sti ones? think about that future... to be honest idk
They're probably revalvable but more importantly they're lifetime warrantied. I've had one set replaced already. They lasted about 85k miles, which is VERY good.

[bue car]

bam! answered!

[dcbryan]

Call and make sure they have a set to sell you at that price. That's the old D-Spec pricing, not the current pricing.


Just called that Auto Anything 1-800 number, they'll ship a set of 4 of these D-specs (http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/61A5437A0A0A2653197.aspx) for $519, free shipping too. I asked if they were like clearing out back stock or something, he said no, they're new and would ship from Tokico.

They're probably revalvable but more importantly they're lifetime warrantied. I've had one set replaced already. They lasted about 85k miles, which is VERY good.

You're saying Feal Suspension has a lifetime warranty? Or I should get 04 STI shocks with a warranty?...Oh sorry figured it out, were talking about the Toki's. That's a good reason to go with those, plus the price...

[bue car]

no the d-speca have a lifetime warranty, not oem parts lol

so go new!

[williaty]

Just called that Auto Anything 1-800 number, they'll ship a set of 4 of these D-specs (http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/61A5437A0A0A2653197.aspx) for $519, free shipping too. I asked if they were like clearing out back stock or something, he said no, they're new and would ship from Tokico.
That's really weird as the current wholesale price is over $700 for Tokico dealers like me.

[williaty]

There's a 99% likelyhood you're getting screwed on that.

I looked at the link you posted. The product is "HTS or D-Spec". Basically, they get to pick which one they send you. That price is reasonable for HTS but utterly non-believable for D-Spec. Additionally, D-specs are not "16-way adjustable". They have continuous adjustment, not clicks.

So you're not getting what you want, basically. Ask them to confirm that the EXACT part number you'll actually receive is Tokico DSP-10 and that if DSP-10 doesn't show up, the'll take it as a return, no questions asked, they'll cover return shipping (which will be $50), and they'll refund the entirety of your original purchase price plus shipping.

[dcbryan]

There's a 99% likelyhood you're getting screwed on that.


Alright man, thanks for the warning. They seem like a reputable site, but I'll watch out.

If it is gonna end up being $700, I'll probably find a cheaper option.

[williaty]

If it is gonna end up being $700, I'll probably find a cheaper option.
Cheaper option is drop it back to stock ride height, use KYB GR2s, and stop driving it offroad.

Sadly, you have to pay to play.

[Ioku]

Cheaper option is drop it back to stock ride height, use KYB GR2s, and stop driving it offroad.

Sadly, you have to pay to play.

This or go to the scrap yard and find another set of decent outback struts, it wont be stiff like you want but better than blown struts.