Notices
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

Top hats?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:18 AM
  #1  
TomLee's Avatar
TomLee
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 0
From: Ca
Default Top hats?

Where can i find top hats for the stock suspension? Im in need of stock suspension but all local people have are struts without top hats haha. Is there another term for the top hats? I search for them, but nothing comes up.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:27 AM
  #2  
Blkexcoupe's Avatar
Blkexcoupe
Lead Lap
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,382
Likes: 599
From: California
Default

Dealership or KYB usually sells them. Try "strut mount"
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:42 AM
  #3  
TomLee's Avatar
TomLee
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 0
From: Ca
Default

long, you think the kyb ones will mount to the stock suspension?
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:45 AM
  #4  
Mr Jokster's Avatar
Mr Jokster
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,466
Likes: 91
From: California
Default

Dealer is the ONLY place to find them. I too was looking for them so I could have a stand alone suspension on spare in the event I got rid of my air ride. You cant get them from parts store either. Its a 'support assembly'



they're $151 from sewell (plus our discount) I got lucky and found a guy on ebay selling the WHOLE rear end EVERYTHING brake rotors calipers springs top hats off an '04 GS for only $150. I asked him if he could removed the the whole strut assembly (with top hats) and sell them to me for $50 shipped.... he bit and I took

you can maybe find a salvaged one on ebay and hustle them off them, or pay the $300 for them new. (check pic for part number)
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:46 AM
  #5  
Mr Jokster's Avatar
Mr Jokster
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,466
Likes: 91
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by TomLee
long, you think the kyb ones will mount to the stock suspension?
again, no kyb does not make them. the ONLY thing they have is a repair kit which includes the rubber boot and rubber fittings that go through the top hat; part numbers 48530 48750 48257
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:48 AM
  #6  
Blkexcoupe's Avatar
Blkexcoupe
Lead Lap
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,382
Likes: 599
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by TomLee
long, you think the kyb ones will mount to the stock suspension?
It should go right on since it is an oem replacement part. The only measurement that matters is the diameter of the shock piston. KYB and OEM should be exactly the same.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:48 AM
  #7  
TomLee's Avatar
TomLee
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 0
From: Ca
Default

dang, i guess its not really worth it then. Haha funny...the guy that offered his stock suspension was because his cracked on UAS.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:52 AM
  #8  
Blkexcoupe's Avatar
Blkexcoupe
Lead Lap
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,382
Likes: 599
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by Mr Jokster
again, no kyb does not make them. the ONLY thing they have is a repair kit which includes the rubber boot and rubber fittings that go through the top hat; part numbers 48530 48750 48257
I guess their application varies by car.

You should just try and buy a complete suspension for your car from someone who got coilovers.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:52 AM
  #9  
Mr Jokster's Avatar
Mr Jokster
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,466
Likes: 91
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by TomLee
dang, i guess its not really worth it then. Haha funny...the guy that offered his stock suspension was because his cracked on UAS.
you talking about the front or rear? I'm assuming the rear cause you said top hat (which is pictured) as for the front, yea KYB does sell them and they work fine.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:54 AM
  #10  
TomLee's Avatar
TomLee
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 0
From: Ca
Default

hmmm i think my idea of a tophat is wrong. dude its surpsiingly hard to find a used oem suspension!
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:54 AM
  #11  
Mr Jokster's Avatar
Mr Jokster
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,466
Likes: 91
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by Blkexcoupe
I guess their application varies by car.

You should just try and buy a complete suspension for your car from someone who got coilovers.
yea, because the top hat is so unique and more of a specialty part, they dont have them. A regular strut mount in most to all applications are practically the same, but our rear is a 'support' and not a mount
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:57 AM
  #12  
Mr Jokster's Avatar
Mr Jokster
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,466
Likes: 91
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by TomLee
hmmm i think my idea of a tophat is wrong.


STRUT MOUNT



TOP HAT (dont mind the circle, its from an old illustration):

Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:59 AM
  #13  
TomLee's Avatar
TomLee
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 0
From: Ca
Default

yeah thanks man! And now I know, and knowledge is power!
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 12:59 AM
  #14  
Blkexcoupe's Avatar
Blkexcoupe
Lead Lap
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,382
Likes: 599
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by Mr Jokster
yea, because the top hat is so unique and more of a specialty part, they dont have them. A regular strut mount in most to all applications are practically the same, but our rear is a 'support' and not a mount
I realized that the rear top hat is unique after I saw your post. I drive a SC and haven't touched a GS suspension in 4 years, so I forgot what it looked like.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2009 | 01:02 AM
  #15  
Mr Jokster's Avatar
Mr Jokster
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,466
Likes: 91
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by Blkexcoupe
I realized that the rear top hat is unique after I saw your post. I drive a SC and haven't touched a GS suspension in 4 years, so I forgot what it looked like.
ahh.. makes sence now.. now get off our forum! j/k
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gmoney94
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
9
Oct 29, 2018 12:07 PM
djaton
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
3
Nov 26, 2012 09:36 AM
maxx430
Suspension and Brakes
7
Aug 28, 2012 10:33 PM
350z
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
13
Aug 3, 2008 11:57 AM
Ariyanna
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
2
Mar 1, 2007 08:14 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:55 PM.