Tanabe Super Low Form Damper Coilovers from Japan *Pics!*

My roommate just ordered these for his LS400.  Since Tanabe USA doesn't sell them we ordered directly from Japan and got them in about 5 business days and paid air freight shipping which is really expensive because they just exceeded the maximum weight in kg for 1 package so we had to split it up into 2 pkgs.  Either way, for what you get I think these coilovers are reasonably priced.

These coilovers are popular in Japan with VIP guys that don't want to run air suspension.  To my knowledge there isn't another coilover out there quite like this one.  These are built for people that want to roll slammed all the time but have suspension actually valved for super high spring rates.  They feature a much shorter stroke than other coilovers and are built with a higher build quality so they can handle the added stress.  Each one of these coilover kits is designed specifically for each car, not some universal shock body and just random spring rates like most cheaper coilovers.

My friend went with the "hard" option which is 26kg front and 20kg rear spring rates.  The normal kit is 24kg and 18kg for the UCF20.

We are installing them this Saturday afternoon and I can't wait to see how they end up riding.  I have a feeling they will ride awesome.  The spring rates are really stiff but if the valving is correct it will make for a good ride.

He currently has Ksport coilovers which have been on the car about a year.

I will take more pics during the install to compare.

Here are a few pics I snapped right when they came in.

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3590.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3596.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3582.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3583.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3584.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3585.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3588.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3591.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3594.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3595.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3602.jpg[/img]




[B]Installed on car and ride height dialed in:[/B]
[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3665.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3674.jpg[/img]

Looks sick!  Cant wait to see it on!

Seriously
You're a good sales man chris, they sound like quality. Let us know how they ride
And nice pics as always =)

wow those springs look mad beefy.. im sure they look like theyre built for the task..

These look like a well built coilover. $1800 is not too bad including the shipping and all. Hope he chimes in on the end result when you guys are finished putting them in. 

Take some pictures of your friends car :)

I am a big fan of it and the kleids

[QUOTE=Brokey33;298324]Seriously
You're a good sales man chris, they sound like quality. Let us know how they ride
And nice pics as always =)[/QUOTE]

Thanks man!

[QUOTE=genetic;298331]These look like a well built coilover. $1800 is not too bad including the shipping and all. Hope he chimes in on the end result when you guys are finished putting them in. 

Take some pictures of your friends car :)

I am a big fan of it and the kleids[/QUOTE]

Yeah, $1800 is not bad at all.  I wish they made them for my car (350z) but I gotta look into either JIC or Zeal.

My friend doesn't really post on forums so I'll post up more when its finished.

More pics for sure :biggthumpup:

How do you find out about them if they're not listed on Tanabe's website? I wonder if they make them for the GS.

[QUOTE=chrispy;298347]How do you find out about them if they're not listed on Tanabe's website? I wonder if they make them for the GS.[/QUOTE]

It helps when your friend speaks Japanese =)
 
Yes, they make them for the GS and pretty much all Lexus models and some Infiniti.
 
[U]Link removed. please use approved vendors supporting VSC.[/U][URL="http://www.kyoei-usa.com/products.asp?cat=371&pg=2"][/URL]

i might start getting these things

I predict another option coming out stateside in the not too distant future...

those look great and the spring rates are exactly what i would want.  teeth jarring stiff.

some serious spring rates, but gotta have em to roll dumped

[QUOTE=Yokotas13;298470]i might start getting these things[/QUOTE]

If you're in Japan it should be cake.  Way cheap over there too!

[QUOTE=Jedidiah;298476]I predict another option coming out stateside in the not too distant future...[/QUOTE]

I would hope so but the states always get shafted with the cool products.  More of a demand for it in Japan.

[QUOTE=blackanese;298482]those look great and the spring rates are exactly what i would want.  teeth jarring stiff.[/QUOTE]

I'll let you know how they ride.  We're installing them tomorrow afternoon.

[QUOTE=phrosttz0;298486]some serious spring rates, but gotta have em to roll dumped[/QUOTE]

Yes sir.....I think this is the suspension to have.  Megan, Ksport and even Tein etc don't go this stiff.

damn those spring rates are nuts!! even high spring rates cant stop speed bumps tho haha..i think speed bumps will stop u..japan barely has any speed bumps tho right? either way..daily driving on these should be nuts

interesting. 
need to hit up tanabe.
 
 
so these are bag friendly?

what website did u order from

post #8

Im pretty sure you'll get a great ride with the super low set up. 

I used to have a 98 GS400 with Tein Flexs dummmped....and my spring rate up front was 16K and 12K in the rears....the car rode verrrrry noice. However, the suspension was still too soft for how dumped I was......wish I knew about these coils before I got the Flexs.

Definitely post up pics! :biggthumpup:

Do they make it for the ucf10? I checked the website but didnt find anything.

Finished the install tonight. Definitely not as stiff as we were thinking they'd be. Totally streetable. Stiffer and better ride than the Ksport's for sure. Ride quality is awesome. Probably not for everyone though.

Like all LS/GS the front upper control arm hits the body cause of the ride height so we're probably just gonna cut some holes for clearance.

I'll post some more pics tomorrow.

ok...lets see them pics :)

I definately need to get these

A few pics I snapped during the install...

Out with the old and in with the new
[img]http://kyoei-usa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/IMG_36521.jpg[/img]

[img]http://kyoei-usa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/IMG_36541.jpg[/img]

[img]http://kyoei-usa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/IMG_37501.jpg[/img]

[img]http://kyoei-usa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/IMG_11851.jpg[/img]

Messing around with the ride height.  The rear can go pretty low and still have preload.  The front would need a SS kit to go as low as the rear.
[img]http://kyoei-usa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/IMG_11512.jpg[/img]

Current ride height.

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3665.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/images/tanabe/IMG_3674.jpg[/img]

Nice! That's perfect! New desktop.

That's a happy ending right there

WOW!! super clean!!

wow, really really nice, just curious, do they offer them for the es300 because you said they offer for just about every lexus?
Charley

nice! how much lower can they go? just curious cause if it was my car i'd go alittle lower around ahah.

Looks great:biggthumpup:

yeah -- just wondering how low they go. my freaking insurance coils don't go that low arrrrgh

[QUOTE=charley240sx;299099]wow, really really nice, just curious, do they offer them for the es300 because you said they offer for just about every lexus?
Charley[/QUOTE]

I will check but I don't think they do.

[QUOTE=PROJECTGS3;299106]nice! how much lower can they go? just curious cause if it was my car i'd go alittle lower around ahah.[/QUOTE]

Well for the front at this ride height you can't preload the spring.  He had to drop it down maybe 1/4 to 1/2" to achieve this ride height.  If you have the SS kit, you'd be able to preload the front and still be this low, actually lower (this car just doesn't have the SS kit yet).  The rear is preloaded and can go lower than this.

Hope that answers your question...

[QUOTE=Big C;299113]Well for the front at this ride height you can't preload the spring.  He had to drop it down maybe 1/4 to 1/2" to achieve this ride height.  If you have the SS kit, you'd be able to preload the front and still be this low, actually lower (this car just doesn't have the SS kit yet).  The rear is preloaded and can go lower than this.[/QUOTE]

so the front can't go lower without sacrificing stroke, but the rear can go lower from the bottom shock mount?

[QUOTE=cheez80;299156]so the front can't go lower without sacrificing stroke, but the rear can go lower from the bottom shock mount?[/QUOTE]

Yep.

SS kit and you're good to go though.  No biggie.

Damn, and I just ordered coilovers...........wish I knew about these beforehand :(

[QUOTE=Big C;299158]Yep.

SS kit and you're good to go though.  No biggie.[/QUOTE]

cool, but i drive a y33 haha. thanks for the writeup :)

[QUOTE=cheez80;299229]cool, but i drive a y33 haha. thanks for the writeup :)[/QUOTE]

Np man! :biggthumpup:

[QUOTE=Big C;299113]



Well for the front at this ride height you can't preload the spring.  He had to drop it down maybe 1/4 to 1/2" to achieve this ride height.  If you have the SS kit, you'd be able to preload the front and still be this low, actually lower (this car just doesn't have the SS kit yet).  The rear is preloaded and can go lower than this.

Hope that answers your question...[/QUOTE]


ahhhh ic, thanks

very nice clean LS:biggthumpup::biggthumpup::biggthumpup::biggthumpup:

That thing is gorgeous!

pretty cool stuff, definate option for me down the track. i will look into these as well as some oher more specialist brands from the vip companies e.g. sessions, t demand etc..

Very nice!

Come out to the Bring the Noize show next Sunday! I'll be there!

[URL]http://www.artofnoize.com/BTN10/[/URL]

It's a pretty big show...

Very nice Big C,, This look so legit. Can't wait for pics and review

im really interested in how this thing rides for being so stiff...?

That awesome. Spring rates great for riding low is important.

Also the car looks fantastic, pretty much the ideal LS400 to me as far as colour, stance, fitment...

Good stuff!

[QUOTE=PureDrifter;300045]im really interested in how this thing rides for being so stiff...?[/QUOTE]

Rides great.  Not crazy stiff but definitely stiffer than a lot of other coilovers I've experienced in LS/GS.  

Depends on the person really, my friend and I come from having 240's before that were both on Tein Flex that rode really stiff and this is comparable to that and my 350z on coilovers.  It is quite the opposite of other coilovers for Lexus like Ksport, Megan and Tein.  All those brands have sorta high rates but they are still valved softer and ride really comfortable.

It's really hard to explain on the internet but so far everyone that has rode in his car is very impressed.

Car is looking sick! I love those wheels!

[QUOTE=Big C;300404]Rides great.  Not crazy stiff but definitely stiffer than a lot of other coilovers I've experienced in LS/GS.  

Depends on the person really, my friend and I come from having 240's before that were both on Tein Flex that rode really stiff and this is comparable to that and my 350z on coilovers.  It is quite the opposite of other coilovers for Lexus like Ksport, Megan and Tein.  All those brands have sorta high rates but they are still valved softer and ride really comfortable.

It's really hard to explain on the internet but so far everyone that has rode in his car is very impressed.[/QUOTE]
do smooth AZ roads have anything to do with that? lol

quite keen on a set of these for my GS, even with my 18/12 springs on my insurance coils it just feels 'soft'. rode in a mates s13 and it felt much firmer. i think its due to the suspension designs with nissans mostly being mcpherson not double wishbone.

i got a set of these priced through my guy in japan for 2GS, and they came out at $1400AUD delivered!! (about $1250USD)

[QUOTE=PureDrifter;300756]do smooth AZ roads have anything to do with that? lol[/QUOTE]

Yeah, roads are pretty nice but there are still a lot of messed up roads here just like everywhere else.

[QUOTE=ant_jzs160;300776]quite keen on a set of these for my GS, even with my 18/12 springs on my insurance coils it just feels 'soft'. rode in a mates s13 and it felt much firmer. i think its due to the suspension designs with nissans mostly being mcpherson not double wishbone.

i got a set of these priced through my guy in japan for 2GS, and they came out at $1400AUD delivered!! (about $1250USD)[/QUOTE]

Yeah I have noticed Nissan's do ride a LOT stiffer than Lexus regardless the spring rates.  My 350z with cheap coilovers and 12/10 springs rides still a tad stiffer than my roommates LS400 with these Tanabe's with 26/20 springs.

$1250 USD?!?!  Wow that's cheap!  What shipping method is that?  Shipping anything other than the slow boat to the US is around $400 by itself.

its wierd how that works with the ride qualities, def keen for a stiffer ride on mine :/

yeh thats by the slow boat unfortunately...probably do it that way when i buy mine though since im not really in a hurry as such.

the guy i know gets them wholesale so item cost alone is about 91000Yen, then the rest is freight around Japan then over to me plus a little commission for him. So yeah theyre definately not expensive by any means! surprising really...

Update?

[QUOTE=lamsv;304530]Update?[/QUOTE]


What did you need to know?  I am pretty sure I covered everything in my posts throughout the thread....

If you have any other questions lemme know =)

Completely missed the last post on page 1 with the ride quality. My bad!

Car is clean as hell, I love the wheels

Another buddy of mine ordered a set of these for his 2002 GS300.  He has UAS now and was gonna ditch the bags in favor of the coilovers but he has since decided to keep his air and just re-do things to make it operate better (he is spoiled with air lol).  He is gonna sell these if anyone is interested his user name on here is "mex lex".  Brand new in the box still.

This is the "hard" kit which is 24/22kg spring rates.

[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/gallery/albums/featured-products/tanabesuperlowformdampercoilovers/tanabe-super-low-form-aristo-gs300-gs400.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/gallery/albums/featured-products/tanabesuperlowformdampercoilovers/tanabe-super-low-form-aristo-gs300-gs400-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/gallery/albums/featured-products/tanabesuperlowformdampercoilovers/tanabe-super-low-form-aristo-gs300-gs400-2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/gallery/albums/featured-products/tanabesuperlowformdampercoilovers/tanabe-super-low-form-aristo-gs300-gs400-3.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/gallery/albums/featured-products/tanabesuperlowformdampercoilovers/tanabe-super-low-form-aristo-gs300-gs400-4.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.kyoei-usa.com/gallery/albums/featured-products/tanabesuperlowformdampercoilovers/tanabe-super-low-form-aristo-gs300-gs400-5.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=Big C;317596]This is the "hard" kit which is 24/22kg spring rates[/QUOTE]
 
24/22kg!
:eek4wtf:
isnt that gonna be a lil to stiff for american roads?

[QUOTE=MR.J;317599]24/22kg!
:eek4wtf:
isnt that gonna be a lil to stiff for american roads?[/QUOTE]

You would think.......but it's totally not.  These coilovers still ride very well and comfortable.  When I first rode in my roommates LS400 with 26/20kg I thought it was gonna be harsh as hell but it wasn't.  My 350z with 12/10 rates rides WAY stiffer.  

A lot has to do with the valving of the shock body too.  For example, another buddy had Tein Flex in his 99 GS400 with 16/12kg rates and that thing rode like stock even set at full stiff for the dampening.  Just cause the rates are so high doesn't mean it will ride too harsh.

i was checking these out and considering switching over to try them out but i honestly expected them to go much lower. by the looks of it they shortened the rear strut considerably but left the front pretty standard in length (if i understood you correctly and they are in fact maxed out). at that height the spring rate almost seems unnecessary.

[QUOTE=BLKonBLK98;317620]i was checking these out and considering switching over to try them out but i honestly expected them to go much lower. by the looks of it they shortened the rear strut considerably but left the front pretty standard in length (if i understood you correctly and they are in fact maxed out). at that height the spring rate almost seems unnecessary.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, we expected them to go lower as well.  To go lower in the front and keep preload you will need a SS kit.

[QUOTE=Big C;317628]Yeah, we expected them to go lower as well. To go lower in the front and keep preload you will need a SS kit.[/QUOTE]
 when you say "preload" do you mean actual preload or just having the perch snug against the spring?

[QUOTE=BLKonBLK98;317629]when you say "preload" do you mean actual preload or just having the perch snug against the spring?[/QUOTE]

Even just to get snug you'll need the SS kit.  On the white LS I posted pics of at that ride height on 19s he said it needed maybe another 1/2" just to be able to get the spring snug.  Rear was fine though and had plenty of adjustment and you could get actual preload.  You don't need much preload though with these springs being so stiff.

wow... that doesn't sound like the business at all. i do have an ss kit on the way but from what it sounds like the front is a limiting factor. on my ucf10  the rear won't go quite as low as i'd like (probably maxes out at just a little lower than low this one is set up), which is why i bought the ss, but the front can probably lay out.
 
for what it's worth, i never preload. i just snug the perch then come back and resnug after the springs have had tiime to settle.

[QUOTE=BLKonBLK98;317881]for what it's worth, i never preload. i just snug the perch then come back and resnug after the springs have had tiime to settle.[/QUOTE]

Yeah that's what I usually do as well.

Found some more pics I snapped during the install.  I added em to this post:

[url]http://www.vipstylecars.com/forums/showpost.php?p=299048&postcount=23[/url]