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Are stiffer rear struts/shocks available

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by alohman, May 10, 2016.

  1. alohman

    alohman Junior Member

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    I have a 1 1/4" receiver hitch to carry a bike rack. I recently bought a newer rack that is heavier. Between the hitch, rack, and two bikes, I can feel the weight on the back of the car. That is without having additional people in it. Do they make a heavier duty rear strut? I've searched and only find ones for lowering the car. I'm only looking to stiffen it up a bit, like the coil over shocks on my pickup.
     
  2. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    I think it was justdidit who figured out that bilstein b6 for corolla/ matrix will fit, and they are apparently stiffer than oem touring shocks.
     
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    #3 xliderider, May 10, 2016
    Last edited: May 10, 2016
  4. Toppcat

    Toppcat Member

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    Replace rear springs with OEM or aftermarket
     
  5. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    Koni makes an oem shock for prii, google them and see if they have your year available, trd springs do drop but not as much, a stiffer spring, even a shorter one is a good thing.
     
  6. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    No Koni insert is available for the gen2 2004-2009 with a base model spring. With any of the strut swaps - you will need a spring upgrade as the diameter of the base spring won't fit the spring perch.

    Shocks that COULD work if you do modify the rear spring. I ran modified springs on my car for 2 years before i swapped the touring shock out for the Bilstein B8 Sport. I started with the 4kg/250lb spring and went up to 5.3kg/300lb and 6.2kg/350lb and ended with 6.7kg/375lb. I never felt like the oem KYB touring strut couldn't handle the extra spring load over the oem 4kg/225lb spring load.

    Bilstein Shocks - B8 Sport Shock Absorber
    Part Number: 24-069250
    Bilstein Shocks - B6 Heavy Duty Shocks
    Part Number: 24-069243
    [​IMG]

    Koni Shock - Sport Series'Yellow' Shocks
    REAR: 80-2844SPORT
    [​IMG]

    Tokico Shocks - HP Blue Series
    REAR: HU3764
    [​IMG]
     
    #6 Justdidit, May 11, 2016
    Last edited: May 11, 2016
  7. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    wait, you mean the B6 won't fit an oem spring either? would you need to get corolla springs then?
     
  8. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Pretty sure the base and touring model springs use a different perch because of spring diameter as well as the casing is different. If someone can get me a diameter of the base model, i can verify it with the Bilstein perch would should be the same as the Koni and Tokico.
     
  9. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    i went to metrotoyotaparts, and all prius, corolla and matrix use the same upper insulator. so all springs must have the same upper diameter. I did try to measure the spring and it will fit around the B6; whether it fits the perch I do not know
     
  10. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Ya, after looking at old photos, the bottom of the coil looks tighter. I recall reading somewhere that the base model strut had different valving than the Touring. In fact the base and touring had completely different springs and shocks. If anyone wanted to take some photos and measurements of the base of the spring i could probably verify the Bilstein perch would work.

    I don't have my old springs with me in Canada, but here is an old photo.


    uploadfromtaptalk1463024075599.jpg
     
  11. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    the base oem shock perch is just about 3 1/8" diameter; the spring is just a bit smaller, maybe 3".
     
  12. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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  13. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Bilstein Shocks - B8 Sport
    Part Number: 24-069250 spring coil perch

    Image1463530129.258275.jpg

    Image1463530150.951944.jpg
     
  14. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    today I measured a corolla perch. it is just shy of 57mm; about the same size as the B8 perch.
     
  15. Augustus88

    Augustus88 Junior Member

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    This may not be of much help, but I know that Plug In Supply offers stiffer rear springs to compensate for the added weight in the rear from their plug in conversion batteries. I searched their site, but could only find the installation instructions for the springs, not their specs or how much they cost, or if they will even sell them by themselves.

    Also keep in mind that stiffer springs often call for shocks that offer more rebound dampening to prevent nearly endless bouncing.
     
  16. Danny13pruisc3

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    So in summary the b8 sport is the way to go.. and what else do i need? different springs? and?

    This 05 I just got clearly needs rear end dampening..
     
  17. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    Hello All,

    My 2009 Prius has almost 300K Miles and is probably due for suspension upgrade (front and back). I would also like to add a 1.5" lift kit at the same time (PRIUS 2004-2009). I trailer a motorcycle and my passengers are on the bigger side I hope they never read this post..

    Please provide the links to the heaviest duty components.

    Appreciate your help and guidance in advance,

    Simba
     
  18. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    I installed springs from a 4WD Toyota Matrix in my Prius. The heavier springs both lift the car and handle weight better.

    Heavy Springs And Lift Upgrade | PriusChat
     
    Roundgunner, Simbaboy and Justdidit like this.
  19. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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  20. Roundgunner

    Roundgunner Junior Member

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    What year matrix did you use. I'm always hauling photography gear in my 09. It is squating now at 150K Trouble free miles. I tried the old fashioned spring block things but it throws them before long.