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Do you think I should get all new dampers when I have the 2013 springs installed? The 2013 springs I got have 30k miles on them and the current mileage on my 2018 GS is 49,800. How do you think the 2013 springs will work with the 2018 dampers? Cost for new dampers (through Lexus Parts Now) will be about $1,050. If there are any cheaper Lexus OEM sites, please let me know. Is going from stock springs, to lowering springs, then back to stock springs causing any lifespan issues? I can say my car doesn't get driven all that much since I work from home. I bet I have less than 1500 miles on my car since getting the swift springs installed. I'm on the fence as to whether or not to get new dampers too.
You have a 2018 AWD in F Sport trim.
It has 2016-20 AWD OEM springs.
2016-20 AWD dampers.
2013-20 AWD front roll bar, used exclusively by AWD.
2018-20 rear roll bar, which I know for sure are thicker than the original 2013-17 rear roll bar - used across the entire 4GS range.
However, it has been modified with Swift lowering springs.
You are intending to fit 2013 AWD coils, which are probably the stiffest coils for 4GS.
What model year AWD dampers were you intending to use to match?
Keep in mind that your 2016-20 AWD dampers are most likely softest from 2013-20?
If I'm not wrong, the 2015 AWD dampers were probably firmest, based on my experience with my 2015 RWD dampers.
The manufacturer has used the OEM AWD 2013-15 coils with four (4) different sets of dampers from 2013-15 model years, comprising of 2013, early 2014, late 2014, and 2015; I would imagine 2013 softest, while 2015 firmest - of those four (4).
Also keep in mind that your 2018-20 rear roll bar is definitely thicker and stiffer than the original 2013-17 rear roll bar shared across the entire 4GS range.
The thread you linked does not show info that KYB shocks are softer or more firm, only opinion. I bet it works well regardless, though. KYB makes good dampers usually.
The thread you linked does not show info that KYB shocks are softer or more firm, only opinion. I bet it works well regardless, though. KYB makes good dampers usually.
I guess my question is.... have you had both the Factory Shocks driven many miles, then had the KYB Shocks driven many miles? Have you driven like 6 different years and model GS's and had your GS for 5-6 years? What year do you have?
So let me know why you know this? - "I think those KYB (like you find at Rock Auto for instance) are said to be softer than a 2013-2014 as well.
I have KYB aftermarket AVS dampers in the front of my car and OEM 2018 AVS dampers in the rear (replaced under warranty about 3 weeks prior to the fronts). The KYBs certainly feel firmer than stock to me. I actually wish I had done KYBs in the rear as well.
I have KYB aftermarket AVS dampers in the front of my car and OEM 2018 AVS dampers in the rear (replaced under warranty about 3 weeks prior to the fronts). The KYBs certainly feel firmer than stock to me. I actually wish I had done KYBs in the rear as well.
Yes you can feel the difference in stiffness can't you. I did.
I believe I clarified that I do not know, and that I think it is so. And until I see specs of both, I will continue to not know. It would be of no surprise to find the aftermarket KYB to be on the firm side, especially for AVS -equipped cars.
Originally Posted by jgscott
I guess my question is.... have you had both the Factory Shocks driven many miles, then had the KYB Shocks driven many miles? Have you driven like 6 different years and model GS's and had your GS for 5-6 years? What year do you have?
So let me know why you know this? - "I think those KYB (like you find at Rock Auto for instance) are said to be softer than a 2013-2014 as well.
You have a 2018 AWD in F Sport trim.
It has 2016-20 AWD OEM springs.
2016-20 AWD dampers.
2013-20 AWD front roll bar, used exclusively by AWD.
2018-20 rear roll bar, which I know for sure are thicker than the original 2013-17 rear roll bar - used across the entire 4GS range.
However, it has been modified with Swift lowering springs.
You are intending to fit 2013 AWD coils, which are probably the stiffest coils for 4GS.
What model year AWD dampers were you intending to use to match?
Keep in mind that your 2016-20 AWD dampers are most likely softest from 2013-20?
If I'm not wrong, the 2015 AWD dampers were probably firmest, based on my experience with my 2015 RWD dampers.
The manufacturer has used the OEM AWD 2013-15 coils with four (4) different sets of dampers from 2013-15 model years, comprising of 2013, early 2014, late 2014, and 2015; I would imagine 2013 softest, while 2015 firmest - of those four (4).
Also keep in mind that your 2018-20 rear roll bar is definitely thicker and stiffer than the original 2013-17 rear roll bar shared across the entire 4GS range.
Hi Pete (and All),
Given the information you provided above, if I went with the matching 2013 dampers (to the 2013 springs I have) it would be as follows. (NOTE: The 2013 springs I have came off an F-Sport AWD that was manufactured 06/2013).
48520-80291 (Front Left)
48210-80571 (Front Right)
48230-80633 (Rear x 2)
As I mentioned, total cost for new OEM dampers is about $1,050. Since the OEM dampers are made by KYB, I checked KYB's site for pricing of the Gas-a-Just dampers. It's the same part numbers for AVS for all years 13-20. Total for four new dampers was $475. Wow.
Pete, you indicated that in your experience the firmest OEM dampers are the 2015's; which in you example was on an RWD. Is there anyone out there that has experience with both 2013 and 2015 F-Sport AWD? This may be an impossible resolution to satisfy. Given the chart, it's obvious Lexus played around with the 4th gen GS during it's entire production. The 2013 was the original concept by Lexus to achieve a sport sedan that would compete with BMW 5 and Merc equivalent. Lexus accomplished that task. 2014-15 kept things going, but apparently tweaked things even more. 2016 was the both the major/minor GS change, and, introduction of the GS F. In my opinion, Lexus sucked out the "sports/performance" aspects of the 2016-20 GS's and injected it all (and more) into the GS F. Basically, I am looking to make (if it's even possible) my 2018 AWD F-Sport into the 2013-15 "sports sedan" original concept. This brings up another questions I have regarding ECU and drive modes. Is the drive mode programming stronger (i.e. more performance oriented) in the 2013-15 F-Sports vs. 2016-20 F-Sports? If so, that opens up a whole new can of worms. Anyone go from a 4th gen to 4.5 gen experience this?
Hi Pete (and All),
Given the information you provided above, if I went with the matching 2013 dampers (to the 2013 springs I have) it would be as follows. (NOTE: The 2013 springs I have came off an F-Sport AWD that was manufactured 06/2013).
48520-80291 (Front Left)
48210-80571 (Front Right)
48230-80633 (Rear x 2)
As I mentioned, total cost for new OEM dampers is about $1,050. Since the OEM dampers are made by KYB, I checked KYB's site for pricing of the Gas-a-Just dampers. It's the same part numbers for AVS for all years 13-20. Total for four new dampers was $475. Wow.
Pete, you indicated that in your experience the firmest OEM dampers are the 2015's; which in you example was on an RWD. Is there anyone out there that has experience with both 2013 and 2015 F-Sport AWD? This may be an impossible resolution to satisfy. Given the chart, it's obvious Lexus played around with the 4th gen GS during it's entire production. The 2013 was the original concept by Lexus to achieve a sport sedan that would compete with BMW 5 and Merc equivalent. Lexus accomplished that task. 2014-15 kept things going, but apparently tweaked things even more. 2016 was the both the major/minor GS change, and, introduction of the GS F. In my opinion, Lexus sucked out the "sports/performance" aspects of the 2016-20 GS's and injected it all (and more) into the GS F. Basically, I am looking to make (if it's even possible) my 2018 AWD F-Sport into the 2013-15 "sports sedan" original concept. This brings up another questions I have regarding ECU and drive modes. Is the drive mode programming stronger (i.e. more performance oriented) in the 2013-15 F-Sports vs. 2016-20 F-Sports? If so, that opens up a whole new can of worms. Anyone go from a 4th gen to 4.5 gen experience this?
I have never driven the AWD version, but I wouldn't be surprized if it was softer than RWD.
What sort of damping rates/control are you after?
Are you after a floaty, or intermediate balanced, or very controlled ride?
For a floaty ride, go for 2016-20 dampers.
The 2013 dampers will probably give you an intermediate/balanced body control.
While the 2015 dampers will probably give you "tied down" body control!
The early and late 2014 dampers would probably fall between 2013 and 2015.
The KYB aftermarket dampers are less than half the price of Lexus OEM.
However, like you say, the KYB aftermarket only seems to have the "one" damper body control rate - which is said to be firmer than the OEM 2013 according to jgscott, but is it as firm as 2014 and especially the 2015 OEM?
The ECU ROM chip and software control of the valves inside the shock absorber?
For a start, my Luxury trim has softer software shock absorber computer mapping than the F Sport trim in Sports+ mode.
2013-15 vs 2016-20? I wouldn't be surprized if the original versions had firmer software mapping than the midlife update.
Too difficult for me to fiddle with the ECU because it controls the engine as well.
Both Luxury and F Sport trims in Normal mode:
Luxury trim in Sport+ mode:
F Sport trim in Sport+ mode:
Also remember that you have the 2018 F Sport which uses the 2016-20 body structure with twice as many laser weld points for greater torsional rigidity and bending stiffness, so this stiffer body structure will force the coil springs to compress more and be more compliant than the original 2013-14 body structure.
The 2015 body structure is a little more rigid than the original 2013-14 body structure thanks to special new adhesive used in the bonding of the front and rear windscreens.
I have both the OEM RWD 2015 front coils with 2013-15 RWD rear coils.
I retrofitted OEM RWD 2013-14 front coils.
The 2013-14 RWD front coils are "non-tapering", hence they are stiffest - far left photo below.
The 2015 RWD front coils have a tapering end, which enables the first 1/2-1.0" of compression to be more compliant - in the middle of the photo below.
According to my measurements, the 2013-14 RWD has the exact same thickness and axial height as the 2015 RWD front, however the 2015 has a progressive "tapered" finish for initial compliancy.
Interestingly, the 2013-15 RWD had rear coils with a "tapering" finish all along - right in the photo below.
In other words, the 2013 RWD started out with "constant" wire coils at the front, and "tapered/flat end" wire coils in the rear; by 2015, the 4GS RWD got "tapered/flat end" coils at the front too.
My original 2015 RWD OEM suspension handled "almost" like a compact sedan!
However, for me only - it was a tiring ride.
Pete. Thanks for all this good info always. Based on the Shocks/Springs each year being the same for RWD to RWD F Sport vs Base/Lux AVS. Is the difference in the chart we are seeing perhaps the Steering ECU difference? F Sport ECU vs Lux ECU. Both having AVS.
The Non Tapering 13 Springs would be the stiffest springs imo. Also the KYB's can be ordered and found on Amazon, and purchased with a warranty for Free replacement option if anyone wants it.
01-16-24, 02:16 PM
- "I think those KYB (like you find at Rock Auto for instance) are said to be softer than a 2013-2014 as well.
