Tokico Illumina Shocks

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $400.00 from eBay

Year / Model Reviewed:
1995 Honda Civic Hatchback

Summary:
Very pleased with these shocks. I ran them with Tokico Red Springs for a little over a month, they worked great and now I have them with H&R Race springs and they're even better. The Tokico springs were pretty weak which is why I could only really tell how great they were when I started using the H&R springs.

Strengths:
Reliable, ride comfort, adjustable damping

Weaknesses:
Not made to be dropped more than 1.75 inches, even though I did it anyway.

Similar Products Used:
Stock Shocks

Price Paid:  $0.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
1999 Mazda Protege ES 5spd

Summary:
The best struts I have owned. Gives a dream ride along with the Eibach prokit springs.

I must mention one problem I had with these struts, and I am sure it may have happened to others as well though they may not realize it. The first few days with the adjuster at 3, the struts were tight as a drum ! Superb ride, great control and little to no body roll. However slowly over the next week or so I felt the struts losing their tightness. I moved the settings up a couple of notches but made little to no difference. The strut felt soft and especially bad was the rebound damping. Even though it could take bumps fairly well, after the bump the front would bounce right back up. Most non-enthusiast drivers probably wouldn't even notice, but it was pretty unsettling to me. Tried a number of things-- removed the struts myself, changed the strut mounts, gave them the struts a good shake (!!)..nothing. Called Tokico , they said they would exchange it with a new pair of fronts (the rears were ok).

And then-- I did something yesterday I hadn't done before. Put the screwdriver on the adjusting screw and turned it rapidly several times backwards and forwards.
VOILA !! Struts are like new again , tight as a drum. I am very happy, I have decided against returning them for now. If it becomes a recurring problem then I will reconsider.

So here is the lesson- if the struts feel they are going soft give the adjuster a few quick turns, forwards and backwards. If there is a valve misalignment inside that should take care of it.

Other than that the illuminas are dream struts.

Strengths:
Nice and tight. Adjustable. Complex damping characteristic gives a smooth and controlled ride.

Weaknesses:
Some units may have valve alignment problems. Try suggested method above, or exchange them under warranty. Either way its worth it.

Similar Products Used:
KYBs -- S U C K. Got the non adjustable ones. One of them wore out in 6 months!

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $369.00 from Ebay

Year / Model Reviewed:
1996 Eclipse GS

Summary:
This suspension is amazing. Teamed with Tein S. Tech springs is the way to do it. Definately the best suspension for the money.

Strengths:
Adjustibility, Lifetime Warranty

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Stock

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $455.00 from Ebay

Year / Model Reviewed:
 tokico illumina 5-way adj. kit

Summary:
Bought the Tokico Illumina kit on Ebay about 3 1/2 months ago. (comes with shocks and lowering springs) So far they've been really good. There was a point when I first got them for about a week where they squeaked a lot but that stopped. I keep them set on setting 1 most of the time because Oklahoma roads are so bad. Ride is equal to stock as far as comfort even with the 1.5 inch drop. Absorbs bumps very well considering I'm running on 205/40/17s. I like the appearance of the drop it's not too low and not too high, absolutely perfect! No issues with tire rubbing or anything. Now I have put them on setting 5 a few times just to see what they were all about. I was very impressed. This is my first spring set so I can't compare but the handling is very good, IMHO. Much more responsive and minimal body roll. You take corners almost completely flat. Even on setting 1 they provide better than stock handling. But I just cannot take the rough ride of 5. It is definitely for track purposes only. You take a chance on damaging your suspension components on less than perfect roads. But, I love having the option to change the setting if need be. The Illuminas come with a special key to change the dampening of each shock accesible by simply opening your hood and your trunk. A small red and white dial is labeled from 1-5 and clicks into each setting firmly. Takes less than a minute to adjust all 4 shocks. I read a few reviews where some complained about the dials slipping out of one setting into another. I haven't had this problem as of yet. They have stayed secure in the position I choose. But overall I would recommend these to anyone wanting to lower their ride to a height that is safe and comfortable. They perform 100% better than stock and you don't have to compromise any real world, daily driving comforts.

Strengths:
5-way adjustable dampening, Easy to change settings, Smooth, comfortable ride (on setting 1), 1.5 drop not too low, Red and white color scheme looks good, Paint and build quality are good, Limited lifetime warranty

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Stock shocks and springs...

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $40.00 from ebay

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 honda civic dx

Summary:
paid 40 each shipped/// love them. 'Nuff said.

Strengths:
Adjustability ( i leave mine on 4 front, 3 rear ), quality, stability, perfect for the price

Weaknesses:
none yet; install was 70 bucks and only took 40 minutes (not counting my spring, camber kit, and allignment)

Similar Products Used:
none