xinkid

Hi, I'm doing some research before eventually replacing the air struts with springs and shocks.

Can I replace with stock springs, stock equivalent strut tops and KYB shocks or do I actually need a "conversion kit" that they sell on eBay? I don't like lowering or progressive springs and I'd also like to stay with stock spring rates. Thanks.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

stock springs, shocks, bump stops, and top mounts.

and remember to pull the air suspension fuse.

NTRUDA

I'm looking to replace my air struts as well...I'm thinking they're on their last leg...it takes about 10 minutes for them to raise up and this is becoming a hassel...I was looking at the Monroe Quick Strut but they don't make it for a 91 LS400, I want to go with the strut assembly with the stut and coil all in one...if not, I was looking at the Monroe 71317 Sensa-Trac Strut or the KYB GR-2® / Excel-G or the KYB AGX or the KYB Strut-Plus...we shall see...

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

kyb only offers the GR-2/Excel-G for the LS chassis.

and i'd take KYB over Monroe any day of the week...

xinkid

I was browsing oemlexusparts.com to see what the going rate for stock springs are. I saw LS400 standard and LS400 heavy duty coil springs at slightly different prices. Are there two oem springs for the 98?

xinkid

Also what's the ride quality difference like between OEM struts vs KYB Gr-2?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

+1

Interesting. Fr stock ride characteristics, the normal version.

Not much, you'll save $ buying the GR2's at your favorite parts supplier.

xinkid

I think I know what "heavy duty" means. on mylexparts.com it lists coil springs w/o rough road pkg and w/ rough road pkg. I guess that was one of the options. Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to go with standard springs, kyb mounts, boots and struts.

j2b4o

I'm thinking I may have to replace the air shocks also unfortunately (I like to keep cars stock) but I'll be doing full coil overs. Am I correct in thinking that all I would need is the top strut mounts front and back and th coil over set to convert?
Thanks!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

if you're doing coilovers you don't need anything else. just disconnect the air compressor and install the new coilovers.

j2b4o

Thanks! Much appreciated!

xinkid

The "bad" thing about coilovers is the mounts are metal, so when you hit a big pothole, all of the impact not absorbed by the shock absorber and spring will "crash" into the chassis. With rubber mounts, they give a more OEM like ride on rough roads.

I also found through further research that the "rough road package" or "heavy duty" springs basically give raised ride height compared to standard. Probably similar to "High" height setting on the air suspension. I don't think they are much stiffer if at all.

j2b4o

[QUOTE=xinkid;7091097]The "bad" thing about coilovers is the mounts are metal, so when you hit a big pothole, all of the impact not absorbed by the shock absorber and spring will "crash" into the chassis. With rubber mounts, they give a more OEM like ride on rough roads./QUOTE]

wouldn't that only be the case if the car is crazy lowered so when hittin bumps they bottom out?? Shouldn't there be the same if not more travel on a set of coil overs set near stock ride height??
If not couldn't I just get some bump stops and rubber insulators for the spring??

Honestly I just want something a little stiffer around town but something just as stable as the air at high speeds. With the current suspension going 125mph is like going 35mph it's very comfortable and stable. My concern is that the coil overs may be to stiff and make the car jittery at high speed.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

then read the suspension threads about what people like. there are 1-2 good mild non-coilover setups available depending on the year of your LS.

j2b4o

I have been and will continue to. but it seems foolish to go with a dampner spring setup when I can go full adjustable and get coil overs. A quality coil over should have a better dampner than just about anything else except maybe the koni's or a high end billstein which I haven't seen offered for my car.

My real question was about the bump stops and bottoming out. Am I wrong in thinking that there shouldn't be too much "banging" as long as there is travel and rubber stops??