1995-1999 Maxima
* Tokico Illumina Shocks (adjustable)
o Description: Tokico Illuminas are a 5 way adjustable shock. They are currently the most recommended shock for any spring. They are known to be the most comfortable of the adjustable shocks especially compared to AGX while retaining very good handling characteristics. Definately the most recommended shock due to it's very good ride and external adjustability. These will most likely last the lifetime of the car. Recommended starting settings would probably be 3 front, 3 rear for aftermarket springs.
o Cheapest price: $450 SHIPPED from
http://www.southwestautoworks.com, ask for the Maxima.org discount, $479 from
http://www.shox.com, or $408 shipped from
http://www.performancepeddler.com/ with "maxima" (without the quotes) wholesale login (if you call, talk to Brad and mention the maxima.org illumina discount)
* Koni Yellow Shocks (adjustable)
o Description: The Koni Yellow shocks are infinitely adjustable in the front and rear. The fronts can be adjusted at the top of the shock towers. The rear shocks are not externally adjustable and need to be taken off the car to be adjusted. The rear shock has 2 spring perches, a regular one, and one that is higher up for towing purposes. The front struts come without housings, so the stock strut housings need to be cut and used for installation which can be difficult. These shocks are known among the autocross and road race crowd as being the best performing shock at any price. They are known to ride less harsh with an equal level of dampening than the AGX. These will most likely last the lifetime of the car. Recommended starting setting is 3 half turns front, and 3 half turns rear for aftermarket springs. Information about adjustment is here MaximaKoniSettings
o Cheapest price: $520.80 from
http://www.shox.com/ or $526 from
http://www.eatricezone.com/
* KYB AGX Shocks (adjustable)
o Description: KYB AGX is 4 way adjustable in the front and 8 way adjustable in the rear. These shocks have been known to ride harsher and stiffer than the Konis and Illuminas. These shocks also become very harsh and rigid in cold conditions. A few cases of the shocks blowing or leaking have been noted with very stiff coilovers. Recommended starting setting is 3 front and 6 rear for aftermarket springs. Information about each of the damping settings and how they compare to OEM and KYB GR2 is here MaximaKybAgxSettings
o Cheapest price: eBay has them anywhere from $350-$400 plus shipping or pickup or $420 with free shipping from
http://www.coximport.com/ or $355 from
http://www.cattman.com/ or $389.00 free shipping from
http://www.p-s-t.com
* KYB GR2 Shocks
o Description: Supposedly very similar to a KYB AGX except the damping settings are fixed at around an AGX setting of 2/4 which is 10 to 15% firmer than oem. Nonetheless, they are significantly better than stock SE struts in terms of both ride quality, roll reduction, and handling, especially if your stock struts have a few miles on them. It is not recommended to pair these up with very very stiff or low aftermarket springs, but softer ones and ones with lesser drops are fine. In the case of very stiff or very low springs, these shocks can wear out much quicker. To see how these shocks compare to AGX's settings go here MaximaKybAgxSettings
o Cheapest price: $247 from
http://www.shox.com/ also Foreign Car Parts has them for $270 shipped, email Nick Bauer at
foreigncarparts@hotmail.com
* Tokico Blue Shocks
o Description: Tokico Blues are the non-adjustable OEM replacement shock closest to OEM. They don't provide much more damping than the original maxima shocks. They also have problems with the rears blowing and leaking when combined with stiff aftermarket springs (Eibachs and Ground Controls confirmed) while the fronts are generally fine. Otherwise they make great replacement shocks for stock springs. They will usually last between 10k-60k miles on a car with an aftermarket suspension depending on the stiffness of the spring before leaking or getting very soft.
o Cheapest price: $307.09 from
http://www.southwestautoworks.com/
* Springtech Shocks
o Description: Very little is known about these shocks. They look to be non-adjustable and fairly cheap. The dealer says that they are better than KYB GR-2s but worse than Tokico Blues (which does't make much sense). Which would put it as a good match for OEM springs. With aftermarket springs they would probably blow and leak after a few months.
o Cheapest price: Check Ebay or
http://www.suspensionmax.com/
* Dropzone Shocks
o Description: Very little is known about these shocks. They look to be non-adjustable and fairly cheap.
o Cheapest price: $340 at
http://www.streetstyler.com/
* OEM Nissan Shocks
o Description: A good replacement for cars with stock springs, but will usually last between 5k-20k miles on a car with an aftermarket suspension depending on the stiffness of the spring before leaking or getting very soft. These shocks do not provide enough dampening force for use with aftermarket springs and is not recommended to be set up with them.
