SolaraGuy.com

so i just pulled the trigger to buy a set of trd springs from a fellow member. and now im in confusion if i should get a new set of struts. i mean i have a 06 sle but im not sure if struts are needed for trd springs. checked online for a set of springs. saw a nice deal on advance auto parts website. 4 kyb gas struts came to be $460ish and after the 25% off they have all 4 came to be 361$. but that deal expires on the 9th so if anyone can help me with some info pleasee pleasee do so =]

Most of our members here would probably suggest picking up a new set of struts. I have an SLE lowered on TRD and the ride is very bumpy. However, word is that even with stiffer struts, the ride will still be uncomfortable compared to stock. There are times when I hit bumps and I feel like I'm temporarily suspended in mid-air. A stiffer setup will just make you feel the bumps in a more 'oomf' way (i don't know how to describe it, and this is how it's been explained to me). I've wrestled with this predicament for some time now, because I've grown more or less accustomed to the ride, and I don't know whether or not it's worth it to spend that much if your ride is still going to be uncomfortable.

I'm just hoping this setup will last me long enough until I can get a set of nice coilovers.

I don't know how coilovers are gonna make the ride any more comfortable than lowering spring/ strut setup.

I have read that if you plan on lowering the car 2" or more with lowering springs, then stiffer struts is a must.

Check out this ebay link, a set of 4 KYB shocks for your Solara costs $430+ with shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-06-TOYOTA-Camry-KYB-GR-2-Shocks-Struts-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQfitsZYearQ3a2004Q7cMakeQ3aToyotaQ7cModelQ3aSolaraQQhashZitem53e6495cb1QQitemZ360345853105QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

might get struts in about like 3-4 months now. save up some money. also. yaddada. lol u didnt mention if ur springs are setup with ur stock struts or did u buy something aftermarket with them?

nope they're stock sle struts

If you want a good compromise, SE Sport struts are a bit stiffer than the SE / SLE but not uncomfortable (and they solve the 'floating' issue as well when going over bumps). I had them stock, but a few members acquired them for their SEs / SLEs for use with TRD / Eibach springs and had good results. Check for members with SE Sports who did coil-over swaps, or check eBay and you should be able to find a good deal on a set as well.

I have a set of the SE sport shocks kickin around. hit me up if you're interested.

Personally. I did the TRD +KYB combo. I believe I was the first one here to do it too.
Car rides great no problems at all, but from what everyone says, the shocks are shared
with the 2003 camry? ( if i remember correctly) and if I knew that I would have gotten
some tokicos or konis instead.

Aotoyota wrote:I have a set of the SE sport shocks kickin around. hit me up if you're interested.

Personally. I did the TRD +KYB combo. I believe I was the first one here to do it too.
Car rides great no problems at all, but from what everyone says, the shocks are shared
with the 2003 camry? ( if i remember correctly) and if I knew that I would have gotten
some tokicos or konis instead.

Why Tokicos or Konis instead?

I have friends with the eibach + koni/tokico combo
and really love their ride. its very controlled and not very oem.

Aotoyota wrote:I have friends with the eibach + koni/tokico combo
and really love their ride. its very controlled and not very oem.

thats exactly what im planning on getting for my camry

I did a quick search on ebay but couldn't find any Tokico or Konis compatible with the Gen2 (or the Gen5 Camry, which should have the same setup), only Gen1. Anyone else have any luck?

Aotoyota wrote:I have a set of the SE sport shocks kickin around. hit me up if you're interested.

Personally. I did the TRD +KYB combo. I believe I was the first one here to do it too.
Car rides great no problems at all, but from what everyone says, the shocks are shared
with the 2003 camry? ( if i remember correctly) and if I knew that I would have gotten
some tokicos or konis instead.

AO, do you know anyone who actually did the swap on a gen 2 solara using camry parts?

This would be much easier if a single company made co's for both vehicles so we could just compare the product numbers. If a company actually makes coils for the camry they don't list one for the lara. And the only coil overs produced for the solara by tein don't list an application for the camry. Go figure....