tedoliver

They are a lot more expensive than the aftermarket OEM shocks but if they are worth it so be it.
I also have 3 perfectly good Air struts from My 99 if anyone is looking?

Thanks

tedoliver

Opps sorry I didn't realize there are rules in the classified forum about posting re my air struts for sale. I won't do that again.

In regards to the OEM question my mechanic is a well know Lexus Toyota guy in the area, He says the bushings in the shock brought from Lexus are different to the KYB'S you can buy and will last a lot longer. Again I am more than happy to fork out the money but forking out is way different than throwing away.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

it's all in preference. sure there is a difference in bushings but it would be so minimal it would not be worth the extra money in my opinion. and if i am not mistaken, the OEM shocks are double the cost if not more than aftermarket shocks!

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

Bushings, smushings...

You probably won't have you car long enough to have the change the struts again in 100k+ miles or so...

BTW, the Lexus struts are not made by Lexus.

Get the best you can afford.

Stroock639

the car uses KYB struts as standard so when you go to the stealership and get "OEM" struts that's pretty much what you're getting

GH5T

Just get the KYBs they're less than $600 for a complete set on Amazon. I have them on my car as do a few others on here you really can't tell the difference from the OE shocks once they've settled in.

YoshiMan

Not sure about the LS400s, but on my GX470, when i pulled the $760+ apeice electronic shocks off, they all had KYB stamped into them, so yeah, just get those... you'll be fine

lev00221

iTrader: (28)

Yes, they are more expensive but they are definitely NOT the same. I too, figured KYB is KYB and the difference would be neglible. I installed aftermarket KYB's on my 1993 LS400 and I noticed a big difference in harshness over expansion joints and sudden impacts. The ride was slightly less "floaty". The ride was not bad by any means but it certainly was different than OEM. I sold the aftermarket Kyb's and purchased the OEM struts. I have been very pleased with my OEM ride quality. My brother has a 1992 LS400 with Tokico Blue struts and the difference in ride is also readily apparent. Only OEM parts will get you the OEM ride.

I am not saying that the aftermarket KYB and Tokico struts are bad products.

oldskewel

iTrader: (1)

I put KYB's on all corners of my '91 and am very happy with them.

BTW, the OE ones are great too. At ~170k (I think), 3 out of the 4 OE ones were probably still good. I replaced all while chasing another problem and incorrectly figured that they were "due" anyway. So don't replace the OE ones just because you think the mileage requires it.

GH5T

I replaced my OE shocks because one had started leaking. I still waited two years before I made the switch. I will suggest if you replace the strut mounts to use OE strut mounts. One of the KYB strut mounts on my car failed recently haven't had it replaced yet so I don't know how or why it failed.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

The tokico are supposed to be stiffer than stock.

the issue in your case is that you're comparing exhausted, worn OEM shocks to a set of BRAND NEW, not even broken in KYB shocks.

They smooth in over a few hundred miles, but they are literally the same thing as OEM minus an etched part number.