TRD shocks/struts? Or?? Choices... - Toyota Yaris Forums

auxmike · 04-03-2012, 09:41 PM

Hi all,
I'm at 4yrs/50k miles on my 2008 LB's stock shocks and struts. I'm thinking of putting in a fresh set but want a firmer, more sporty ride and tighter handling on turns and curves.
I see the TRD set and it looks like it would fit the bill. I'm also eyeing the cheaper front 334472-334473 Struts & Rear 343442 shocks by KYB EXCEL G BLACK GR-2's for much less.
Any help on what's the best bet? Who makes the TRD's anyway?
I will be reusing the stock springs and will NOT be lowering the car... Also I'm not interested in coilovers.
Thanks!

enviri · 04-03-2012, 11:37 PM

KYB EXCEL G is pretty much an OEM replacement, so it'll be like what you have now. I think TRD shocks are rebadged and marked up tokico blues now..not really sure.

devinlamothe · 04-04-2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auxmike

Hi all,
I'm at 4yrs/50k miles on my 2008 LB's stock shocks and struts. I'm thinking of putting in a fresh set but want a firmer, more sporty ride and tighter handling on turns and curves.
I see the TRD set and it looks like it would fit the bill. I'm also eyeing the cheaper front 334472-334473 Struts & Rear 343442 shocks by KYB EXCEL G BLACK GR-2's for much less.
Any help on what's the best bet? Who makes the TRD's anyway?
I will be reusing the stock springs and will NOT be lowering the car... Also I'm not interested in coilovers.
Thanks!

I've been using Tokico Blue's for a couple of years now and they are firmer than stock. Gives better handling around turns, on the highway, etc.

Looking back I didn't want to lower either, but now I wish I would have went with the TRD springs or similar.

why? · 04-04-2012, 01:50 PM

you can use the stock springs with the tokico blues. Lowering the car an inch or two though can also help handling.MI is a great source. And a great price. You can give them a call too, insanely knowledgeable.

cali yaris · 04-04-2012, 02:18 PM

With TRD you are paying a bit more for the name and the familiar red color. That is a customer's choice, but I recommend the Tokico blues, it's a superior product, backed by my 100% customer service.

auxmike · 04-04-2012, 02:28 PM

I live where there's lots of hills, snow in winter , and potholes in spring. Don't enjoy speed Bumps or the scraping going into parking lots, and hitting curbs and parking space stops when parking. Not to mention the whole mystery of how much bump stop you should really remove...

1.5 · 04-04-2012, 02:28 PM

Coilovers

MUSKOKA800 · 04-04-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cali yaris

With TRD you are paying a bit more for the name and the familiar red color. That is a customer's choice, but I recommend the Tokico blues, it's a superior product, backed by my 100% customer service.

Actually, my TRD dampers are dark blue and produced by KYB (stamped on outer tube). Likely all the same parts as the KYB GR-2's but with different valving.

Billiam · 04-04-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auxmike

I live where there's lots of hills, snow in winter , and potholes in spring. Don't enjoy speed Bumps or the scraping going into parking lots, and hitting curbs and parking space stops when parking. Not to mention the whole mystery of how much bump stop you should really remove...

You could always go with TRD springs. The drop is about 1.5". They're made by Eibach so you know the quality is great. They have a nice, compliant ride and can be picked up for about 2 bills. They'll work well with any damper you get. I never scraped on anything including speed bumps. Oh...and there's no trimming of the bump-stop with the TRD's.

EDIT: Oops....I see where you say you WILL NOT be lowering. Sorry.

Here's what they looked like after 2 years (including two wet winters) of being on my car. No peeling, chipping or rusting that you get with some....especially Tanabe's junk springs.

cali yaris · 04-04-2012, 07:09 PM

Quote:

You could always go with TRD springs. The drop is about 1.5". They're made by Eibach so you know the quality is great.

Or you could buy Eibach springs.

cali yaris · 04-04-2012, 07:10 PM

You only have to trim bump stops if you are lowering more than 1.5". So some springs, like TRD, mean you don't have to, and others do.

Billiam · 04-04-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cali yaris

Or you could buy Eibach springs.

True...but there's little, if any, price difference.

cali yaris · 04-05-2012, 06:23 PM

Quote:

True...but there's little, if any, price difference.

True... but you get to support a small shop that contributes to the community instead of a large corporation.

04-03-2012, 09:41 PM	#1
auxmike Drives: 2008 HB, A/T, Power W/L/M Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, New Yawk Posts: 2,063	TRD shocks/struts? Or?? Choices... Hi all, I'm at 4yrs/50k miles on my 2008 LB's stock shocks and struts. I'm thinking of putting in a fresh set but want a firmer, more sporty ride and tighter handling on turns and curves. I see the TRD set and it looks like it would fit the bill. I'm also eyeing the cheaper front 334472-334473 Struts & Rear 343442 shocks by KYB EXCEL G BLACK GR-2's for much less. Any help on what's the best bet? Who makes the TRD's anyway? I will be reusing the stock springs and will NOT be lowering the car... Also I'm not interested in coilovers. Thanks! __________________ Never take eyes off opponent - Bruce Lee

04-04-2012, 01:50 PM	#4
why? Only Happy When it Rains View User's Garage Drives: Yaris LB Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: harnett county NC Posts: 4,097	you can use the stock springs with the tokico blues. Lowering the car an inch or two though can also help handling.MI is a great source. And a great price. You can give them a call too, insanely knowledgeable. __________________ Colin Chapman disciple

04-04-2012, 02:18 PM	#5
cali yaris ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canoga Park, CA Posts: 14,859	With TRD you are paying a bit more for the name and the familiar red color. That is a customer's choice, but I recommend the Tokico blues, it's a superior product, backed by my 100% customer service. __________________ Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific.

04-04-2012, 02:28 PM	#6
auxmike Drives: 2008 HB, A/T, Power W/L/M Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, New Yawk Posts: 2,063	I live where there's lots of hills, snow in winter , and potholes in spring. Don't enjoy speed Bumps or the scraping going into parking lots, and hitting curbs and parking space stops when parking. Not to mention the whole mystery of how much bump stop you should really remove... __________________ Never take eyes off opponent - Bruce Lee

04-04-2012, 02:28 PM	#7
1.5 Form>Function Drives: 07 Flint Sedan Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,018	Coilovers __________________ Instagram: @southernstreets_phil Facebook.com/southernstreetsempire

04-03-2012, 11:37 PM	#2
enviri View User's Garage Drives: 2010 Yaris Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: CT Posts: 1,519	KYB EXCEL G is pretty much an OEM replacement, so it'll be like what you have now. I think TRD shocks are rebadged and marked up tokico blues now..not really sure.

04-04-2012, 07:10 PM	#11
cali yaris ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canoga Park, CA Posts: 14,859	You only have to trim bump stops if you are lowering more than 1.5". So some springs, like TRD, mean you don't have to, and others do. __________________ Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific.

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