I got a set of Tokico struts inserts it seems that the stock shafts were larger than my replacements. was there a kit that I needed to get or what

 

So your aftermarket struts are smaller then stock struts? Thought they had a washer to be used as a spacer. By how much larger. Inserting struts dry is not a good idea. Need to use a little Oil as a lubricant. You have pictures?

 

Your Tokicos are a gas shock and your oems are oil shocks. The kit comes with the new glan nuts and the front shocks are shorter so they have a spacer about 2 inches long that goes on the bottom of the shock. You put enough oil in the shock tube to fill the void around the shock, this is to disipate heat. Your kit should have bump stops and boots also.