I have a friend willing to trade me for his GC/GR2's with my stock stuff. He wants $400 and there's no idea on the spring rates. It rides good however and handles well, not too stiff but the ride isn't bouncy at all. I realize the GR2's are just a stiffer stock replacement and I would upgrade eventually, but this will be for a daily.

Is it worth the $400+stock to trade?

 

Nope.

Those GR2s are probably blown already with those spring rates, and will be soon if they aren't now. So, dead shocks = $0. Don't pay $400 + stock stuff for GC coils, they retail for less than that new.

 

I have no idea on the specific spring rates. Ride still feels good so shocks are most likely not blown.

 

you can buy new gr2 sets on ebay for like $150 and the springs are like $200... not worth it...

 

I've never seen $200 GC's. Ebay is 300+ and they have no spring rate information.

 

GC sleeves and ERS springs are around $300.

If the shocks somehow aren't blown, they will be soon. GR2s don't work with either higher rate springs (and all lowering springs and threaded perch springs are much stiffer than stock) or at lower than stock ride heights.

No offense, but I've seen so many people claim that the shocks weren't blown, "because it rides nice", when they really had no understanding of what an under damped suspension actually felt like, and did in fact have completely shot shocks. Are you positive they aren't blown?

 

sorry...either way gr2's aren't made for dropped cars. they are essentially stiffer stock replacements

 

I wouldn't know for sure to be honest, other than it not being bouncy and it handling significantly better than my stock with worn out rear springs.

Are there any specific ways to tell a blown shock?

 

Handling better is a very vague term. That could entirely be the stiffer springs preventing as much body roll, and have nothing to do with the shocks.

Unfortunately, the only absolute way to identify blown shocks is with a shock dyno. The jounce test can be used to try and identify a blown shock, but stiff springs make that test a bit harder to do.

Why buy unknown rate springs? If it were me, I'd just pony up for new GCs, with the exact rates you want (call GC for assistance on choosing), and a nice set of good shocks intended for both lowering and stiffer rates. Though, if you really want to make the trade with your friend, at least get the numbers off the springs and decide if you want those rates first.