KYB adjustable shocks
 

TL;DR; Has anyone used these for an FB or SA?

It is well known that Koni makes adjustable front strut inserts that fit our cars which are speced as MR2 rear inserts. The same is true for the rear shocks, we can get KONI adjustable rear shocks for a Mustang fox body chassis and they fit our cars. Using these same criteria I went looking for adjustable KYB and found these for the front:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/k...yota/model/mr2

https://static.summitracing.com/glob...5015_hx_ml.jpg

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/k...yota/model/mr2

https://static.summitracing.com/glob...5016_so_ml.jpg

The difference appears to be that the model ending in 16 includes a knob.

I found KYBs for the rears as well:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/k.../model/mustang

https://static.summitracing.com/glob...3020_ci_ml.jpg

These shocks are about 1/2 the price of KONIs and adjustable. I expect the rears will install with no issues or very easy to resolve issues. The fronts I'm not so sure of. I have a number of questions about fitment to the SA front strut:

1. Are they long enough or do I need a spacer at the bottom?
Considering these are for the MR2 rear and assuming they are like the KONIs, I may to need fab a spacer.
2. How will the gland nut work?
It may work but not sure.
3. Will it fit an SA or FB strut top or do I need do something there?
I think it fits FB strut tops but may need a spacer (from T3 maybe?).
4. Would I get the adjustable knob (kyb-765016) or the one without?
Sounds like the knob would work on the fronts.

I got some of my info out of this thread about the KONIs: https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-gene...0/#post9570918

Anyone used these and have any input? I may contact Summit to ask for some measurements to figure this out. Unfortunately I have no extra SA struts to do measurements on for the strut tube or gland nuts.

The total cost is less than $400.00 from Summit, so the price is right.

If I get these I'll post up about how they fit, what I needed to fab up, and how they work.

Looking at rockauto, the mr2 rear struts are model 765016 and model 765015 is the front struts. RA price is 82 versus 95 on summit. Looks like the rear mustang shocks are cheaper on RA as well 71 vs. 83 on summit. The price differences are pretty trivial given that RA charges ~$10.00 for shipping and summit shipping is free. About 15.00 cheaper from RA.

the AGX line it popular with the FC crowd, they are good shocks, my friend has a set from ~2001 and even after seeing a couple seasons of track time they are still ok

the Mr2 rears are the same sizes as the FB, but valved more stiffly, because its mid engine.

most of the toyotas of that vintage use the same diameter strut as the SA/FB but they are mostly longer

Good info, thanks.

I already have FB strut tops in my parts stash. Tempted to pull the trigger. The old KYB gas a adjust on there can't handle the cut RB springs at all and the front left has started squeaking now. Due for some new shocks for sure.

I have a pair of the AGX shocks on the back of a Fox mustang. They are nice and easy to adjust. Not as numb as the Koni Sport shocks

My KYB struts lasted about 6 months with RB springs. I am using MR2 Yellow Koni struts (1 Gen MR2 rear strut) and fox body Koni oranges (non-adjustable); been running for nearly 1.5 years and little over 10K. No issues and love them.

I am currently running AGX rear shocks on my 83. I like them, I like how the damping adjuster is located in the bottom of the shock. They work good, better than the tokico blues I had before.

I also just finished building some custom coilovers using the T3 weld on kit, T3 adjustable camber plates and koni mr2 adjustable strut. I am going to post in detail how I built the coilovers next week.

Was this the ones RB sells or the AGX shocks I'm looking at?

KONIs are definitely worth the premium price. I can't speak for the AGX but I've been on regular KYBs and not been impressed. I currently track and daily Tokico HP (blue) with RB springs and front sway bar and thought it was a nice setup...that is until I put KONI yellows on my wife's MK1a MR2 that has stock sway bars. Oh boy, do those feel nice. At full soft they'd be fine on really bad city streets. At half way they were sporty but firm for spirited back road driving. At 3/4 they were getting about as stiff as my Tokicos but did better soaking up smaller bumps. I think we will go a little past 3/4 when we get it on the track next season, and we will need to see whether it needs a front sway bar as well...probably not, since she's still learning.

Anyway, I wish I had known about the KONI MR2/RX7 part interchange before I put the Tokicos in. For my next upgrade, I'm thinking about going all in with coilovers...not for the height adjustment, but for the camber plate alignment flexibility and a stiffer spring rate. If I could get camber plates for the KONIs that bolted on, I suppose I could live with the RB springs...but I haven't found any available that work with stock shocks.

I had tried the standard KYB set not the AGX set.

Nice find!! I would think the AGX would work decent with lowering springs

This is a great find - matter of fact, good thread in general. I got vexed after Tokico stopped making their's, Thanks, T.G.

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Yeah, thats kind of what led me down this path. Getting ready to pull the trigger on these before they disappear. I also want to document exactly what is needed to make these work. So stay tuned.

I am pretty sure the inserts that fit FB struts were from 1985-86 mr2. I would get some measurements before pulling the trigger.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...front-1058310/

Tommy

Researching that now. I have some threads out on the mr2oc site to get some clarity on the differences. They in fact have different part numbers as well for MK1 vs. MK2 (MR2 speak for series 1 vs series 2 in our world). I did a lot of searching and it appears the rear strut tube dimensions are the same for both and its just a difference in the top hats maybe. I don't know what the exact differences are yet. Will report back when I get a firm answer.

I sourced my Koni yellows (MR2 rear struts) from Race Consulting Agency, IIRC the guy I talked to was named Max. They knew the correct part number to order. Their number is 888-981-7221. Main reason I went with Koni was that I figured that they would be available in the future, especially the rear shocks; mean they made quite a few fox bodied Mustangs.

It makes sense. The Mk2 (SW2x) chassis shared little, if anything with the Mk1 (AW11). The MR2 had quite a bit of independent pieces, but it also shared parts from cars of their respective eras. The Mk1 shared a lot with the Corolla and the Mk2 shared a lot with the Celica and Camry.

The only clue I found was that in Mid 1986 the gland nut changed from a 42mm to a 48mm. I have no idea how this correlates to the diameter of the insert... but 42mm is the approx. ID of the FB strut base. We will keep our fingers crossed.

Tommy

Yep, I saw that in the specs for the MK2 vs MK1 inserts. Wasn't sure if the actual insert is now bigger or just the gland nut.Still chasing details.

the BZ1086 Tokico we used to run is the REAR of the 85-86 Mr2. its the same sized insert, same shock shaft. it MAY be different where the strut top bearing sits, we all ran camber plates. if you had SA strut tops you could just drill it out to match the new shock/strut

J9, I'm sure thats the case. My hunt is to see if the mk2 mr2 rear insert will work as well. I did determine that the shaft is 14x1.5, same as the mk1. I just need to get the mk2 insert diameter and length. Once I have that its all good.

So my question is : what would be better for spirited driving. not track days but just touring back roads.

I want the adjustables to tune the suspension to the springs I have on it. My RB springs each have one coil chopped off which I don't really think changed the rate much but my old KYB G2 inserts and shocks can't keep up anymore. I also want to tune the ride for around town versus hard mtn runs.

It depends on how sensitive you are to the ride and what you want it to feel like and how much control you want. The absolute best would be the KONI adjustable, then KONI non-adjustables, then KYB AGX adjustables, KYB G2 or whatever they are called, your generic Monroe etc from the muffler shops. I didn't include the high end custom KONIs or other race shocks which can run into the $1,500.00 and up range in price. Shocks are a very interesting subject and its crazy out there.

To answer your question, the KYB non-adjustables would probably work fine for a stock car on stock springs. Tokiko in the past had the blues which were very good as well.