Ok- searched for specifics but can't find the answer. I put Tokico Blues & Tanabe NF10 on my '97 SC400 about 70 K miles ago. Love the combo. For me the slight drop (on stock size 16 in wheels & tires) and nearly stock ride w slightly crisper handling was just right. I understand the Tokicos no longer available and I am wondering if: a) will OEM shocks work well with the NF10s or will I get reduced shock life? Don't mind cost of OEM; 2) is there a high quality aftermarket shock as good or better than the Tokicos for compatibility with NF10s that will ride as well as the Blues w NF10s?

 

I've been doing some research as well to replace the stock springs and shocks on my 2000 SC400. Decided on the Tanabe NF210 springs and KYB shocks. From what I've read, the KYB's are a little softer than your Tokico blues and more like the stock ride which is exactly what I want in a daily driver.

 

Thanks - are you going w KYB GR? Plz post results or PM me as it sounds like you want same thing I do in terms of ride.

 

Yeah, the model numbers are KYB 341161 Excel-G Strut and KYB 341162. I believe it also goes by GR-2. Thought I would also replace the strut mountings, bellows and bumper at the same time. Haven't actually purchased the shocks or springs yet, but definitely going with the Tanabe NF210 springs too.

BTW, how much did the Tanabe springs lower your car?

Will let you know when I get it all together (may be a while). In the process of getting new tires and refinishing my Supra TT rims (17" staggered).

 

The Tanabe NF210 with KYB is a great set up for that person seeking to keep that smooth stock ride. I had the same setup before I switched to CX Racing coolers.

I just wanted to be able to control my ride height and damper settings thus why I changed to coilovers.

The Tanabe and KYB setup is really nice though.

My old setup:

 

FSUsucks1,
Thanks for sharing your experiences and the pictures. BTW, what sizes were those wheels and tires shown in your pictures. Did you use spacers to fill out the wheel wells?

Also when changing the coil and shocks, did you replace the strut mounts (top? hats), the bumpers and strut bellows?

Thanks again.

 

They were 18 x 8.5 +16 offset in the front, and 18 x 9.5 +20 offset in the rear. Don't recall the tires sizes. No spacers were used. We did reuse the oem top hats and bumpers.

 

NF210's with kyb's on 16's



I pulled em and got coilovers. little harder ride, but....




Adjust is a must!!

 

It sure is! But maybe the OP just wants to stay with the Springs/Shocks route instead of coilovers.

I needed the adjustment thus why I went with coilovers in the end after first going with the Tanabe Springs/KYB's combo.

 

I cant stop looking at pictures of your car

 

I have tanabe's with the KYB gr2's up front, and for the rear I have the tanabes on the oem shocks, never got around to changing those, so yeah you can use whatever shocks you like as long as they are for an SC. Rides just fine to me the stock ones are not blown, but it tends to squat when I launch the car the KYB is likely the way to go all around, or just get coilovers cause you get the top hats and everything else with them, and the adjustability allows you to correct the sidfe to side problem with the SC. my finger gap on the drivers side is not the same as on the passenger side exactly. there is a sticky addressing and most solve it with coilovers if you care about that, It doesn't bother me that much but its not ideal after spending alot on shocks and springs with the way coilover prices have come down lately.