[duckboy]

This is a thread to get the OB community behind pushing aftermarket shock companies to provide shocks for our 4th gen OB's.

i talked to Tokico marketing this morning and they stated that if they get enough emails & phone calls, they'll have enough data to support an OB business case. these guys DO listen. i've actually had 2 Tokico people return my calls and listen to my perspectives. But, they can't proceed to push their corporate offices w/o a business case. this business case needs customer data.

so, help me, help you! here's their contact info:


Tokico Performance Shocks
2388 Peck Road
Industry, CA 90601

Phone: 626.310.0517
Toll Free: 800.548.2549
Fax : 626.310.0517
Email : [email protected]

 

[kmssgoten]

What shock type are u going for? Street or offroad? Cusco does alot of street stuff already but it all lowers the outback and I am not looking for anything that will take that away

 

[duckboy]

Kmssgoten, looking for the standard HP shock. Don't want to lower the car. Just want better valving than stock. Tokico HPs offer good valving for the money. And their valving quality is far superior to KYB.

help me, help you!!! If we get this campaign going, we'll have shocks available by the time we need it.

Thanks!!

 

[duckboy]

bump...

 

[duckboy]

bump, again...

 

[duckboy]

the lack of aftermarket shock availability really bothers me. maybe it's just me and my particular sensitivity to suspension performance but i would really like better shocks for my OB that can handle the los angeles freeways.

 

[Sarge]

This car needs better shocks. It's one of the things that's kept me from buying one in the first place. I'd love some Bilsteins if I had an Outback, and if I could get something similar that would kill the floaty boat cornering attitude I might well be an Outback owner.

I just came here looking to see if there had been any updates on this front. Sorry to see there's still nothing. Kind of surprising, really. Not ONE single manufacturer. Someone ought to offer ride-leveling shocks for the rear, too... They have them in Europe, but it would be over $2,500 to buy the parts in the UK, ship them here and install them.

 

[pachilla]

I have Koni Inserts on my 2007 OB 3.0R

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/81-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension/48287-koni-adjustable-yellows-installed-2007-outback-3-0r.html

 

[duckboy]

i got an email from Koni NA. they said Koni EU is actually working on an application for our car!!!!

 

[DucFanDan]

I e-mailed Tokico to let them know I am a potential customer. My wife and I have a 2011 OB with 47000 miles on it, and it desperately needs shocks & springs. I'm kinda tempted to go to the stealership and start ordering the hard parts for the 2013 OB, as I've heard the shocks and springs are stiffer (plus beefier anti-roll bars). What I really want is the 2013 front anti-roll bar (I've already uprated the rear), and a nice set of Bilsteins + King springs.

I cannot believe some of the whiners on this forum who are *complaining* that the 2013 is "too stiff" compared to their 2010/2011/2012 model. These cars float like a 1980's Cadillac! That's not a good thing! Nor is it safe! I much prefer the slot-car handling of an Audi, except my wife and I live on 600 acres out in the sticks, and an S4 is not a practical option for where we live. However, I also have 33 miles of winding highway on the way to work, so I need a good road handling car that still has enough ground clearance for snow-covered and gravel road driving.

If I can't uprate the suspenders on this soggy-bummed car, I will have to go looking for a used Audi Allroad and just eat the maintenance costs. The handling on this Outback, or lack thereof, is driving me nuts.

Koni, Bilstein, Tokico... please make some performance shocks for this car!

 

[Impatient]

DucFan, should have bought an 05-09.

Actually, if you had, you would just have a whole different set of problems.

BTW, I could have sworn I saw a group buy inquiry to get Bilsteins for your 4 gen. I can't remember if it was on subaruoutback.org or legactgt.com. And someone had some prototypes.

Good luck. And FWIW, see if Sachs has anything. This is waay too random an endorsement, but I liked the Boge (Sachs) shocks on my old BMW 5. But if Koni comes thru, you're golden.

 

[DerekH]

Yeah I've got a 2010 that rides like a Cadillac. I just installed a hitch and plan to get a trailer. I don't want to lower it, but I need something to damp the motion (and maybe take a slightly heavier spring?).

 

[subiesailor]

Yeah I've got a 2010 that rides like a Cadillac. I just installed a hitch and plan to get a trailer. I don't want to lower it, but I need something to damp the motion (and maybe take a slightly heavier spring?).

Springs hold the car up. Shocks restrict the springy action. Which item do you need? Guessing shocks

 

[duckboy]

i'm glad i'm not the only one who thinks the OB shocks are horribly damped units. Subaru must have not tested their vehicle above 40 mph. please call the shock co's and voice your thoughts and request they consider tooling up!!!

again, help me, help you!

thanks

duckboy

 

[Unclviny]

I want to lift my 2012 3.6 OB 2" (tophats AND springs) but I have talked to King Springs and basically gotten nothing from them.

Vince

 

[CMyLGT]

Anybody seen these before?
Outback Gen. 4 schokdempers 1K2 / Intrax Racing Suspension

 

[duckboy]

Anybody seen these before?
Outback Gen. 4 schokdempers 1K2 / Intrax Racing Suspension

haven't heard of these units before but i have heard of Intrax. they started off making just springs many yrs ago. my only concern would be their experience w/ los angeles roads & speeds. i've seen the roads in europe and they're very nice and smooth.

i'd be scared of dealing w/ a foreign co if there's no US rep. i dealt w/ DMS for tarmac shocks for my WRX before they had a US rep and it was a pain. don't want to go there again.

 

[DucFanDan]

There are a couple US-based retailers who sell Intrax products, but I can't find any that sell their coilovers, specifically the 1K2. Summit Racing sells their springs, and I know I've seen their stuff advertised on a few VW specialist websites, but I can't remember which ones off the top of my head.

The 1K2 setup sounds quite sporting, and I'd probably love them on asphalt. For my application, the concern is how they'd cope with life on a washboard gravel road. Hence why I'd prefer to stick with something like King springs paired with Koni or Bilstein shocks. I'm also looking to not break the bank... from the reviews I was able to find, the 1K2 setup is a bit pricey. That is speculative information, however (based on other cars). Would have to contact Intrax to get a quote for the Gen 4 OB + shipping to the western US.

Impatient: I've been tempted to get an 05-09 OB turbo for my commuter car, and leave the '11 OB at home for my wife to use. There's a plethora of parts for the 3rd gen, and I'd probably have fun building it up. But since I only need a commuter and we have the OB + a 3/4-ton Silverado diesel for hauling people and stuff... the other temptation is building a WRX rally car. So many options, so little money. ;-)

 

[duckboy]

Intrax Coilover

i am now in discussions w/ Intrax (Holland) regarding their coilover system. trying to understand their valving characteristics before pluncking down ~$2k. also trying to negotiate a good price since i'm taking a huge risk (no USA data points & support).

will keep you posted.

anyone else call/email Tokico or KYB to voice need for aftermarket shocks?

thanks

duckboy

 

[duckboy]

i also got in contact w/ PSi in Sonoma County, CA. they do one-off's in Ohlins. they said Ohlins is releasing a modular system early '13 that'll make a one-off for the OB a lot cheaper than their std one-off price of $1800/corner (!!). but that high price is for Race Ohlins. plus, their head guy is from los angeles so he's familiar w/ the horrible roads we have.

anyway, will keep you posted.