Ordered a set Tokico non-adjustables for the car I am building. Got them today from the same company I ordered the last set from (autocarparts.com).

The fronts are fine. It is the rears that have me concerned.

Both boxes say '3106', but the contents are different. One is the standard 3016 cartridge. First of all, it has a new sticker on it that says '3016'. It is a front--with an extension. The cartridge body is about 2" shorter and it has a piece of pipe pressed onto the lower seat to make up the difference. So, resting on the ground, both cartridge BODIES are exactly the same length. But, at full extension, the rod on the altered strut is 3/4 of an inch longer. Now, I know cartridges technically have no 'spring rate'. But I have to push down on this thing with, say 50 or 75 lbs of force to get it down to the same length as the other strut, and wouldn't that translate into the suspension? And what about the valving? Why would Tokico add an extension and relabel something?

Has anyone ordered Tokico Non's and seen this modification to the 3016 strut cartridge? Has anyone ever ordered a strut from ANYONE and seen the factory modify a different model to fit your length? Should I use these two different struts in the same front end? I can't help but believe it will make a difference from right to left.

steve77

Zvoiture,

I run Tockico "Gold" non-adjustable front and back, when I got them both fronts arrived ( short Cartriage) they where identical and only one spacer between to, the first thing was source another spacer. The shop that did the install said this was so Tockico could build one shock for multiple applications, just change the spacer. I do not like the idea of diffrent travel maybe see if you can change one out with the vendor. the spacer type are good, do not be scared of two with spacers they will work great. The right size spacer spreads the load correctly.

hope this helps

cheers

Steve:classic:

Yeah, if the both had spacers, I would not be so concerned, but one with and one without???? I think they should be the same.

steve77

Some reading for those bored.....it just keeps going and going and ..... (starts at bottom...)

Subj: Re: Different length Tokico's...

Date: 9/23/2003 6:31:58 PM Pacific Daylight Time

From: Zvoiture

To: info@autocarparts.com

Hmmmmm.... Maybe the best way to get this resolved is to send you some pix. I don't think the one strut was "used", it is just pretty banged up and the packaging worn. I will gladly use it, as I am sure it is in perfect mechanical condition inside. I just need two struts the same length. That's it. I need two of the 'old' style (full length HZ3016 cartridge) or two of the 'adapted' style (shorter HZ3038 cartridge with an extension spacer installed). Tomorrow I will bring the digicam home and send you some pictures. I need to return one for a replacement or both or something!

Until tomorrow....

steve

In a message dated 9/23/2003 9:34:25 AM Pacific Daylight Time, info@autocarparts.com writes:

I'm sorry for the delayed reply. We found your order# which is ACP22946. As for the different lengths, our supplier has not heard of such issues from Tokico, could you provide the forum link to such posts? As for the box, we do not ship out used goods as the box's condition would be caught. Did you note that with the UPS driver at the time of delivery?

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me.

Regards,

Cuong

-----Original Message-----

From: Zvoiture@aol.com [mailto:Zvoiture@aol.com]

Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 6:59 PM

To: info@autocarparts.com

Subject: Re: Different length Tokico's...

I do not have it. It aged off my list yesterday. I get 200-300 e-mails a day and storage is at a premium. I also do not find any sort of invoice or credit card receipt in or on the box. So the ACP# is all there is at this point. I can give you any info you could use for tracking this down. Hope this helps:

Steve McConnell

746 Via Bandolero

Arroyo Grande, CA 93420-1924

805-441-6856

Based on my relating this situation to several worldwide Z forums, I have received a plausible explaination: Tokico is phasing out several models of cartriges in favor of just attaching the different length spacers to shorter ones. Sounds reasonable. I just happened to get one old and one new. What do you think? As an aside--I wasn't going to mention it, but since this situation has arose--the 'old' (full length) cartridge was clearly a 'return'. It was in an oily, beat-up, taped-up box. The hardware bag was open. The stickers on the cartridge are scuffed and the lower seat has all the paint off and the metal distorted. It is not damaged, but I think it just slipped back into you inventory and I got it! I have a completely re-built vintage BRE suspension sitting here ready to go on my race car!!!! I need to resolve this, even if it means just sending something back. I definitely want to stick with the Tokico non's because I like them so much on my other Z.

Please advise.

steve

In a message dated 9/15/2003 11:38:21 AM Pacific Daylight Time, info@autocarparts.com writes:

Please reply to your original order confirmation so we can initiate a call tag on this item.

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me.

Regards,

Cuong

-----Original Message-----

From: Zvoiture@aol.com [mailto:Zvoiture@aol.com]

Sent: Friday, September 12, 2003 4:03 PM

To: info@autocarparts.com

Subject: Re: Different length Tokico's...

Here you go: Order: ACP22946

Steve - Please reply to your original order# (starts w/ACP) and paste this message with it so we may look up the order and contact the manufacturer.

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me.

Regards,

Cuong

-----Original Message-----

From: Zvoiture@aol.com [mailto:Zvoiture@aol.com]

Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2003 9:21 PM

To: info@autocarparts.com

Subject: Two different Tokico's...

Just got my cartriges today. Both boxes say '3016' on them. But one is a 3016 and one is a different strut that has been modified to adapt to a 3016 'size'. The cartridge body is about 2" shorter and it has a piece of pipe pressed onto the lower seat to make up the difference. There has been a new sticker that says "3016" applied over another model number on the cartridge. So with the 2" extension in place, the cartridge body is now the right length for the strut tube. But the free length of the rod is about 1 inch longer than the true 3016. Now, even though struts technically have no 'spring rate', I can't help but think this would affect things. It takes 50 or 75 lbs of my force to push the odd cartridge rod down to the same level as the normal one. This HAS to translate into a suspension. And what about valving? What weight car is this short strut from? Is the 3016 discontinued or something? Why would Tokico modify a cartridge with an extension and package it as a replacement? Is this the way all 3016's are going to be from now on? This really has me befuddled and I don't think I should use these two different strut cardridges on the same car rear end.

Please advise.

Steve McConnell

Arroyo Grande, CA

805-441-6856

For those with absolutely nothing better to do but follow my little soap opera and are thinking, "WTF is he rambling on about, demented old fool." Here are a couple of pictures of what I received in the mail from a company I have purchased many Tokico cartridges from with excellent results. I think the problem is Tokico.

By the way, these were ordered as a pair of 240 rears.

steve77

Check out pegleg.

...and here's the REAL itch in my panties... There is no way I am putting these two struts on the same end of a car. If they were hydraulic, it might be different, but Tokico non's are pressurized, of course.

Both these struts are labeled HZ3016

steve77

Wha..............you didn't order struts and they sent you a return.

I've been having trouble with parts people too.....fustrating.

Originally posted by Zvoiture

Check out pegleg.

One of them is a Pirate copy. HAAAAAAARRRRRR!

Either that or these are the very rare Neck-car versions for a staggered ride height. Just put the short one on the left side of the car and make sure you keep turning left.

I've got a little-used set of KONI D-Adjustables that I'll GIVE you to stop you using the pegleg Tokico. Please tell me you won't be tempted to fit it...........

Alan T.

Hmmmmm tempting. I've been trying to think of something I need from you to wash that window regulator shipping debt.

steve77

They are packed up in their original boxes ( a bit ragged ) and stashed in one of my garages. I'll be going over there tomorrow.

I'll take some digital photos and some measurements and e-mail them to you.

They are the old "Adjustable-D" ( or was it "D-Adjustable" ) that I don't think you can get any more ( not sure about that ). They are not gas though - they are oil type. You have to set them BEFORE they are on the car, by pushing the rod all the way to the bottom and then turning it. Know the ones I mean?

I'll ship them to you gratis if you want them. I'll get photos and measurements to you tomorrow.

Alan T.

Latest news: Thursday I actually received a PHONE CALL from Coung at autocarparts. Seems the pix worked! Just to think they would have saved well over a week of e-mailing.... Coung expressed his deepest regrets and wanted to verify by phone which strut in the picture was actually the desired one. He said they have never seen Tokico add an extension to a stock model and repackage it (or at least no one has ever complained about it). He said they were in the process of "opening all the boxes in the warehouse to see if there were more." They are sending me a single full length unit (if they find one!) and I am to return pegleg.

We will see.

steve77

At least in the end you got it all sorted. But which ones do they usually send, a pair of the peglegs, or a pair of the normal ones. After all this time, I am sure you will be sad to see old pegleg heading back.