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Z31 Tokico Illumina Rear Shock Installation

One of the best upgrades for your Z31 is a set of new shocks. I chose a set of Tokico Illuminas because they’re 5-way adjustable. This means for normal driving, you can set the shocks to a lower setting for a smoother ride—and when you hit the track, you can turn the valving up for a stiffer platform and better cornering.

Tokico Illumina Shock Box
Part number: BE2740 — fits both non-turbo and turbo Z31s, with or without adjustable suspension.

*WARNING* - Do this modification at your own risk. We Are not responsable for any issues of your own doing.

Items Needed

  • Jack Stands
  • Floor jack
  • #2 Phillips Screwdriver
  • Various Metric Sockets (14mm, 17mm)
  • Ratchet
  • Breaker Bar
  • Tokico Illumina Part # BE2740
  • Dust Boots
  • Pliers
  • Vice grips
  • Torque Wrench

Shock Removal

  1. Set the parking brake and chock the front wheels.
  2. Remove the rear speaker covers and remove the speakers by taking out the 3 Phillips head screws.
    Removing Z31 rear speakers
  3. Jack the car up in the rear using the differential as a jacking point.
  4. Set your jack stands up at the rear crossmember to support the car and remove both rear wheels.
  5. With the car in the air, move your jack to the rear spring seat to shock mount.
  6. Jack it up just to relieve pressure and remove the lower shock to spring seat bolt (17mm bolt and nut).
    Lower shock bolt
  7. With this out, move to the inside top mount. This is the hard part!
  8. Remove the three 14mm nuts from the top mount. These are very hard to reach, so use creative engineering with extensions and swivels to get to them.
    Top shock bolts
  9. (Optional) Cut a small part of the speaker mount out to allow easy adjustment of the Illumina shocks. This is not a must, but it helps!
  10. Once the 3 nuts are out, the shock can be removed.
  11. Take the shock to your workbench. Use a wrench to hold the shaft from turning and remove the top nut holding the shock to the top mount. Note: Some aftermarket shocks do not have the flats for a wrench. You may need a vice or vice grips to hold the shaft from turning.
  12. With this off, transfer the top mounts over to the new shocks.

Shock Installation

  1. Now that you have everything apart, you will notice a few extra parts that came with your new shocks.
  2. For non-turbo cars without adjustable suspension: You have a long spacer left over.
    For turbo cars with adjustable suspension: You will have the rubber bushings, large washers, and the small spacer that came on the shock. Installation is the reversal of removal at this point.
Non-Turbo Parts Turbo Adjustable Suspension Parts

Note: On cars with adjustable suspension you must Check the Rubber in your shock mount for cracking and if it is in good condition, reuse your old washer for the top mount. Otherwise, the shock will push through the rubber mount with the higher force on the mount now that the shock is in good condition!

Broken Turbo Mount

Shock Substitutions

As the Tokico Illumina shocks are no longer available, here are some other options

  • KYB KG5787A Gas-A-Just Monotube
  • Koni Sport Shocks 26-1248SPORT

⚠️ Important: If installing these into a Turbo Car with Adjustable Suspension, you’ll need the 108A Installation Kit, available here: XenonZcar 108A Suspension Adapter Kit

Sources Used