New Gen 7 Owner - A Few Questions

[bobbyK]

Hi everyone, as per title I have just bought a Gen 7 (140 due to insurance puposes :( ) and have a few questions. Any help anyone can give me would be appreciated.

I'm looking to lower the car, is it advisable to replace the shocks with aftermarket ones as I have with other cars or will the standard shocks tolerate lower springs? I have seen spring kits from Eibach, H & R, P.I and obviously the T.R.D stuff. I'm assuming the T.R.D kit is the one to go for however it will be out of my price range if I am replacing shocks as well so does anyone have any experience of the other kits?

I will also be replacing discs and pads soon. What kit would people suggest and why? O.E.M stuff or aftermarket?

Also does anyone have any experience of these? I quite like the look of them but obviously unsure if the quality. I'm looking to upgrade to H.I.Ds too so will these units take the extra heat?

Thank you.

[Vince W]

Just thinking out loud here, but if those headlights are coming from the USA, won't they dip the wrong way?

I did this to mine yesterday, using pinstripe tape, masking tape, newspaper and satin black spray paint. Didn't even remove the lights.

[bobbyK]

Yes I think they would dip the wrong way but you can usually adjust this on most headlights can't you? Vince, your mod has given the effect of a set of eyebrows but I want the inner housing black. I have considered buying some secondhand headlights and splitting/painting them.

Can anybody help with my suspension and brake queries?

[DefiantFrog]

Lowering - Toyota UK do the TTE springs on the existing shocks, and I have heard no bad reports. Should drop you 30mm. Costs £150 for the springs and around £130 for fitment from Toyota. Get quotes from other places, you may get cheaper unless you do it yourself.

Brakes, go aftermarket - OEM ones are a bit rubbish. Mintex are usually pretty good, EBC Red Stuff, or TRD also do upgrades... Have a look at Fensport for ideas...

[aquazi]

Those eBay ones most certainly will be pointing in the wrong direction.. and most likely would fail an MOT.

I have split a spare set of ligths to paint the inner black myself.. its very easy to open.. havent put them back together so cant comment on any misting issues.

With regards to HID and heat.. the lights shouldnt not generate additional heat to melt anything! I have 8000k lights on mine... the ballasts get quite warm but the headlights themselves are slightly warm to the touch.

I have TTE's springs on mine.. and the ride is pretty good, not too harsh and being progressive are pretty comfy...If ithey are good enough for the GT!

For brakes i would also say go aftermarket... i have black diamond.. much better than stock.

[bobbyK]

Thanks, that's just the sort of information I was after.

I think I will go for the TTE's if they're standard fit on the GT.

I found the Fensport site already, I have a nasty feeling they could be making a lot of money out of me! Is there any other good sites that specialise in Toyota stuff?

[Parts-King]

Is there any other good sites that specialise in Toyota stuff?

I can quote you on genuine Toyota parts/accessories and some TTE parts, I am trying to get a deal together to supply TTE parts directly from Europe, but don't hold your breath, it's taking ages!

Kingo

[DefiantFrog]

Is there any other good sites that specialise in Toyota stuff?

I can quote you on genuine Toyota parts/accessories and some TTE parts, I am trying to get a deal together to supply TTE parts directly from Europe, but don't hold your breath, it's taking ages!

Kingo

Nice one! :D