Replacement Shocks, lights and tires?

DKVL · Oct 12, 2008

Hello All,

New person on this forum. I was hoping maybe I can find an answer to my question and receive some recommendations. Please go easy on me if i ask a dumb question. This is my first mustang and so far, I am liking it!

I have a 2002 Mustang GT. It has about 25,000K miles on it only. Previously owned by my cousin who was often station oversea. he pretty much drove around 3000 miles a year only. Recently, he gave me his car as a gift because his sister totaled my 350Z. The car is in great condition and I have no complaints at all. I got to say though, a mustang is a lot more exciting to drive.

Anyhow, I was recently told that i need to replace my shocks because they were leaking "sweating". I had originally brought the mustang in for a check up because i notice a significant rear wheel hop when i go over bumps or even just a road which was uneven. Given that i need to replace my shocks, should i replace all 4 or just the two rear? What shocks do you guys recommend? I don't race my mustang, but i do like how it can handle the road with ease and turn corners aggressively.

Also, are Xeon lamps on a mustang leagal in california?

I am thinking about replacing the Stock Mustang tires. I currently have the Eagle ZR45 (245/45ZR17). What are a great replacement tires for this? What is the largest or widest tire i can put on this stock rim? Please help, as I am not too familiar with the Mustangs.

Thank you to all!

~DKVL

Superhereaux · Oct 12, 2008

Replace all 4 with Tokico shocks. they're fairly inexpensive and a nice upgrade over stock. Might also want to replace the quad-shocks (the small ones in the back mounted sideways), my car is an 'o2 with 42k at the time and the quads were BLOWN but looked fine. Now's also a good time to invest in some springs since the shocks/struts are the most expensive part of lowering a car anyway.

Buy everything here: StangSuspension.com - Ford Mustang suspension parts and performance.. bought pretty much all of my upgrades from them and we get a 5% discount as well

Aftermarket non-OEM xenon headlamps are illegal in most if not all states.

Tires are up to you, many good brands out there and i'd recommend you stick to the stock size but 275/40 17 is the largest you can go on stock wheels if you were so inclined.

isjoining · Oct 12, 2008

you can get tokico shocks and struts on brenspeed's ebay store for $279 shipped, that is the cheapest I can find.

SVT32VDOHC · Oct 13, 2008

I would buy Tokico replacements from the dealership. Ask for 2003-2004 Mach 1 struts and shocks. I bought them for my 96 Cobra and the ride is just like a new car, better than the stock 96 Cobra ride, for sure.

I would get tires from Mustang Parts & Performance - American Muscle Free shipping FTW!!

I would get lights from Mustang Parts & Accessories - 50resto

blubullett · Oct 13, 2008

I think every body above me gave great advice

DKVL · Oct 14, 2008

Thank you to everyone for all the replies. I didn't know people had made replies because there were no email notifications.

Anyhow, I have a few questions with regards to the shocks. When I research on Tokico shocks there were several classes. I was wondering, which would you guys recommend for me? I am guessing the HP series would be perfect for my use. Am I wrong? Another leading brand that I saw was the KYB. Between the KYB and the Tokico, which would be better?

As to lowering my mustang, what components are needed to be installed or upgraded in order for me to make sure that my mustang was lowered correctly? From my research, other than shocks, the springs must be replaced as well. Anything that I am not aware of that should be done if i so choose to lower my mustang? What is the legal lowering limit for automobiles in California? Does anyone know?

Once again, thank you all very much!

streethorse · Oct 14, 2008

The KYB non adjustable shocks and struts are nice quality, I had them
on my 99, they are firmer than the stockers and definatly an improvement.
When I replaced mine the rears were trashed although the struts were still
OK, but I changed them all out at the same time. Get your self some Eibach
pro kit springs and your done, nothing else needed.

DKVL · Oct 14, 2008

I also notice that my rear tire hops a bit when i go over bumps and dips. Will changing the shocks solve this issue?

Superhereaux · Oct 15, 2008

DKVL said:
I also notice that my rear tire hops a bit when i go over bumps and dips. Will changing the shocks solve this issue?

Can you elaborate on this more? Kinda hard to diagnose a car over the internet since we haven't driven or seen the car in person but new shocks (including the quads) couldn't hurt and will probably solve this issue, can't say for sure.

As far as lowering if you get springs with less than ~1.2in drop you shouldn't need any additional parts. These include Ford Racing B or C springs, Eibach pro-kit, H&R Sports (what i have) and a few more. CC plates are not required but are highly recommended

Rusty67 · Oct 15, 2008

Get some KYB quad shocks. KYB part number KG4521. This will help quite a bit with the wheel hop in the rear.

Tokico is Japanese for will freaking leak. The same ones that come on the Mach 1 were previously on the Bullitt in 01. The rear Tokico's on my dad's Bullitt didn't even make it to 30,000 and the fronts didn't make it to 50,000.

Depending on how much you want to spend, I'd say get the Bilsteins HD shocks and struts. If you want an adjustable strut then the KYB AGX series are decent. I have had them on my daily driver for several years with no complaints.

If you want a mild drop but don't want to sacrifice ride quality, get the Ford Motorsport "C" springs. If you want a more aggressive drop then I'd say go with the H&R springs.

Some Maximum Motorsport camber caster plates wouldn't be a bad idea. Need them or not, they make for easy alignment and allow for much drastic suspension drops. I always recomend these. Even a totally stock Mustang can benifit from the CC plates. If you lower the car lower then a C spring then you really should get these.

SVT32VDOHC · Oct 15, 2008

I stopped subscribing to threads with email notification a long time ago. I was getting 200 emails or more every few days. I couldn't ever find other emails from friends, school, work etc.

DKVL · Oct 15, 2008

The wheel hope occurs when i go over bumps or dips. The bumps or dips could be small or large, but as long as i am driving over it, my wheels seems to hop. The hop causes my mustang to miss grip the road and then grip. This causes my mustang to suddenly move forward inconsistently. In all respect, it is very annoying. I hope this description helps!

Rusty67 · Oct 15, 2008

Once again, replace your rear shocks and your quad shocks.

DKVL · Oct 16, 2008

Thank you to Everyone!

Replacement Shocks, lights and tires?

DKVL

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Superhereaux

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isjoining

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Superhereaux

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