• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Fox body struts for 03 GT?

  • Thread starter Thread starter escudolm
  • Start date Start date Mar 25, 2007
E

escudolm

New Member
Sep 6, 2002
22
0
0
Mar 25, 2007
#1
  • Mar 25, 2007
  • #1
I am getting ready to buy some Tokico shocks/struts within the next month. I'll be getting the non-adj. kind since I would never use the adj. ones. Anyways, I got Steeda sport springs on there now and I am assuming its lowered about
1.5". I been told its better to get the 87-93 struts for the front since they are about 1" shorter. Is this right? I didnt hear anything about getting them for the rear, so I guess I would just buy the 94-04 shocks. Anybody else do this combo or know anything about it? Thanks.
 
0

007

Founding Member
Jan 29, 2002
3,287
24
69
Broke
Mar 25, 2007
#2
  • Mar 25, 2007
  • #2
I'm running the shorter KYB AGX up front.
 
J

Jakes

New Member
May 8, 2004
84
0
0
Mar 25, 2007
#3
  • Mar 25, 2007
  • #3
The idea of the shorter struts on a lowered car is to get the strut piston closer to it's center of travel. This means more suspension travel before you bang the bump stops. Shorter struts or c/c plates that alow you to space the strut up into the engine compartment farther does the job. Use the rear shocks for your year car. If you've got an external bump stop mounted on the frame or over the diff housing get a shorter one or shave the one you have in half.
 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
1,233
1
0
Carmel, INdiana
Mar 25, 2007
#4
  • Mar 25, 2007
  • #4
My buddy had the tokico HP blues (fox length) in the front, they blew out after 500 miles (fluid everywhere)...he had the spacing set perfectly and everything. So he switched to bils and all is well hah.
 
E

escudolm

New Member
Sep 6, 2002
22
0
0
Mar 26, 2007
#5
  • Mar 26, 2007
  • #5
Jakes said:
The idea of the shorter struts on a lowered car is to get the strut piston closer to it's center of travel. This means more suspension travel before you bang the bump stops. Shorter struts or c/c plates that alow you to space the strut up into the engine compartment farther does the job. Use the rear shocks for your year car. If you've got an external bump stop mounted on the frame or over the diff housing get a shorter one or shave the one you have in half.
Click to expand...

So your basically saying that I should use 94-04 shocks and the 87-93 struts? I dont think I have a bump stop anywhere, not sure though. The suspension is stock except for the Steeda springs. I really dont plan on getting c/c plates either. I just wanna switch to better shocks/struts cause the stock ones have no life left.

As far as that guy blowing out his Tokico's, dont they offer a lifetime warranty on them now? I looked at Bilsteins, but heard they were too harsh of a ride.
 
E

escudolm

New Member
Sep 6, 2002
22
0
0
Mar 27, 2007
#6
  • Mar 27, 2007
  • #6
Anybody? I did a search but wasnt able to find exactly what I was looking for.
 
0

007

Founding Member
Jan 29, 2002
3,287
24
69
Broke
Mar 27, 2007
#7
  • Mar 27, 2007
  • #7
Yeah, shorter struts are a good idea if your dropping 2" or more, but so many folks on here have done it either way it doesnt really matter.

Talk the guys at MaximumMotorsports if you really need specific advice. Personally I recommend the AGX set-up that I have because its cheap and adjustable (a lot easier to adjust my 8 way rears than the tokicos too).
 
J

Jakes

New Member
May 8, 2004
84
0
0
Mar 29, 2007
#8
  • Mar 29, 2007
  • #8
The struts on your car have internal bump stops. I'm not sure, but I don't believe the rear shocks do. There should be a bump stop on the frame or over the diff housing. If not, the rear shocks have the internal stops as well.

Most mfg struts and shocks for your car will work with a drop of up to 1.5". When you get to 2" is when you need to start worrying about strut/shock piston travel and bump stops. If I remember correctly the Steeda springs only drop about 1" so you should be fine with struts and shocks for your year without any worry.

Bilsteins are deffinately stiffer then stock but not as stiff as Koni's. I went with KYB-AGX adjustable so I could dial in the ride I wanted. I have mine set at at 2 in the front and 3 or 4 in the back on my daily driver. Slightly stiffer then stock, but not at all harsh. You'll like'em.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

new :poo: box, may need to hit you guys up for 79-82 info when i fix thIs turd.
  • rednotch
  • Sep 27, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
40
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 4, 2026
Noobz347
B
Electrical Why does my fox body keep frying eecs
  • brandyn200
  • Jun 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
213
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 25, 2026
AeroCoupe
B
'03 GT Fuel Pump/Pressure/Delivery Issue
  • Brodach
  • Oct 21, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
876
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
gkomo
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
126
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
S
Fox '87 GT can't get to stay running
  • spilly
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
27
Views
697
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
spilly
S
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?