DIY: Rear Adjustment for Tokico D-Spec Shocks

[Mazinger Z]

I've gotten some requests on how to do this simple mod. It eliminates the need to buy rear extentions if you have Tokico D-Specs.

First, take off both the plastic covers on the rear strut bar. Just pry them open, that's the only way. Becareful not to rip the plastic clips:



Next, use a flashlight to look inside to see where the top of the shock is. You want to drill a hole directly on top of that.

Note: Look at the position of the hole on the left. That's the new hole I drilled. It's not directly parallel to the OEM hole. After you've looked inside, use a sharpie to mark where you want the new hole. Start off by using the smallest drill bit. The metal is thick so keep at it. After you've made a nice little hole, change the drill bit to a bigger one and then a bigger one, until you have a hole similar to the OEM hole.



Then, take your adjustment tool that came with your Tokico's and find a hex wrench similar in size. I used one that's about 4 inches long but you may want to go to the hardware store to find a longer one - it'll be easier to adjust.



That's it - clockwise to stiffen and counter-clockwise to soften.

After this simple mod, you won't need to buy a rear extention or jack up your car to adjust the dampening. Good luck!

[sixsigmalarry]

Good to know! I'm buying a set late-May or early June.

[bbs350z]

how do these work in conjunction w/ tein s- techs? does this lower it further (i dont want it lowered further)? i hear great things about these shocks.

[THE TECH]

You can't change how low the car is with springs. They are a set rate and lowering height. Adjusting the shocks has nothing to do with ride height.

[Mazinger Z]

Originally Posted by drift_projekt_Z

how do these work in conjunction w/ tein s- techs? does this lower it further (i dont want it lowered further)? i hear great things about these shocks.

Haha...no one ever looks at this thread. To answer your question, no, shocks do not lower the car further. Ride height is only based on your springs (or coilover settings). They're good shocks

[SlipZ]

i have a question:

i have this set up (D-specs) Springs and shocks. What is the best sway bar set that goes along with D-specs???

thanks for the info!

Cris

[USN HM 350Z]

nice write up

[Myfirst06350Z]

What do you mean by a rear extention? And possibly could I make the whole bigger? And really why didn't tokico think of this when making these for the 350z?? WTH

[USN HM 350Z]

Originally Posted by Myfirst07'350Z

What do you mean by a rear extention? And possibly could I make the whole bigger? And really why didn't tokico think of this when making these for the 350z?? WTH

Tokico makes a rear extension set that is flexible and able to go up and through the rear strut bar. Problem is they brake easily. This is a much better way to do it IMO.

There is no reason you cannot make the hole bigger if you want.

[sixsigmalarry]

Originally Posted by Myfirst07'350Z

What do you mean by a rear extention? And possibly could I make the whole bigger? And really why didn't tokico think of this when making these for the 350z?? WTH

See this link to understand what a rear extension is...
http://www.g37forums.com/showthread.php?p=575

Why would you want to make the hole larger? As long as you can slide an Allen wrench in there, that's all that matters IMO. Also, I didn't drill through my plastic, I just snap it off when I want to make adjustments.

Lastly, judging from the extensions, I'd say that Tokico did think is this when they made struts for the 350Z. They just decided to make this an add-on part and charge us for it rather than include it. IMO, it makes sense. They'd probably raise prices including that part. That would scare away price sensitive buyers who could care less about adjusting their struts (crazy people!) and Tokico would lose business.


Cheers!

[Chris @ Migliore]

Originally Posted by USN HM 350Z

Tokico makes a rear extension set that is flexible and able to go up and through the rear strut bar. Problem is they brake easily. This is a much better way to do it IMO.

There is no reason you cannot make the hole bigger if you want.

qft! mine broke during the install. waste of 30 bucks! the vendor that sold them to me said he work something out but i never heard back from him.

just get a 5inch t-handle allen wrench , drill the tiny hole and be done with it.

[Myfirst06350Z]

I guess drilling should be fine with a hole that size. Just my case is that I adjust my struts a lot and was hoping for something easier. What do you guys set yours to for autox and canyons? And are those settings bearable on streets? Even though I like my ride stiff.

[Myfirst06350Z]

Questions. I got my rears in. When adjusting how do you guys know what setting you are in when using the allen wrench? And can you over due the rear adjustments when not using the key?

[mario23]

Turn it all the way clockwise to full stiff. Then from there, you turn it back a couple of times to your desired setting.

[Myfirst06350Z]

yea I know that. When I turn it with the key it stops at a point and that is full stiff. But when you use an allen can you accidently go down even further? Thats what I am asking.

[mario23]

Its the same. I use an allen wrench for the rear shocks.

[Myfirst06350Z]

So yours stop when you set it to full stiffness with the allen wrench?

[Mazinger Z]

Originally Posted by Myfirst07'350Z

So yours stop when you set it to full stiffness with the allen wrench?

Yea it should stop if you turn full stiff. Yours doesn't?

[mario23]

Yes it stops clockwise. By all means turn it all the way clockwise first. I would even drive it like that to see how it feels then start backing it off.

[kamikaZ]

Should this be the same for any adjustable struts? I have the Koni Yellows but I havn't even taken them out the box yet and I'm not sure if system for making adjustments is the same.