Product Spotlight: Tokico HP Shocks & Struts

Recently we received maybe the coolest large box in the mail, the address was from Hitachi Tokico USA! This could only mean one thing – The McPherson shocks and struts we have had on for the past 13k miles were going and new Tokico HP shocks and struts going on.

Now this swap not only was going to help smooth out our ride, but also allow us to do something that was needed from the time that Toyota installed the TRD lowering springs. That one item was shave the bump stops that were causing a huge issue with travel of the shock during load.

Prior to install:

Prior to installing our new shocks and struts, we sported OEM McPherson shocks and struts.  Now nothing was wrong with the shocks – They could of taken a good many more miles, however due to the fact that they just were not getting the job done we wasted no time installing them!

Install:

Ok… So we at MicroCar Magazine did not perform the install – Due to lack of room to get at the shock tower bolts without doing damage to the car, we took it to the pros.  Enter Patrick and his skilled team at AGUNDIS Tire Shop – AGUNDIS was able to get our Tokico shocks and struts install with out issue and at the same time shave down the front bump stops half an inch.  Now what we also sprang for was to have the alignment checked – This is something you really should do when installing new shocks that may cause a difference in the way the vehicle tracks, if you fail to do this you do risk odd wear on your tires.

Our Review:

Simply put – The Shocks and Struts do wonders!!! Right off the bat we noticed a huge change in the handling of our project xD / ist.  We also noticed that because we decided to shave down the bump stops on the front shocks that we had smoother ride in areas that use to be a bumpy ride.

We are getting ready to take our project car for a long distance – Reno Nevada!  Look for a driving review of our trip and how the suspension holds up going over the pass.

Our Setup:

• Tokico HP Shocks & Struts
• TRD Lowering springs 1″ Drop

Suggested MSRP: we found some sites selling a complete kit (Shocks / Struts / Springs) for about $600

Tags: HP, Product Spotlight, shocks, struts, tokico