1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Spring Spacers for prius

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by dinesh75, Mar 24, 2011.

  1. dinesh75

    dinesh75 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2011
    5
    0
    0
    Location:
    Gaithersburg
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey guys,

    I heard that spring spacers can lift the car by a couple of inches. Has anyone tried that out? with what results?

    Would love to hear them. Thanks.
     
  2. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2010
    4,539
    1,433
    9
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II

    Some things to consider because a couple of inches is a lot.

    1. Your suspenion geometry will be goofy, even if you do a good wheel alignment aftwerwards. This wilkl have an adverse effect on handling.

    2. The CG will be higher, this will also have an adverse effect on handling, but not as much as 1

    3. Your wheels will be in a more downward position when the car is at rest so they won't be able to drop as far after you crest a rise etc. You will lose corneing and braking traction on uneven ground more often.

    The GEN III Prius does have different a ride height for some countries with lots of rough roads. The rough road option sits about 3/4 inch higher than stock. 2 inches on a suspension like the Prius is extreme.
     
    PriusCamper and olerox like this.
  3. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2010
    1,605
    148
    0
    Location:
    Mt. Pleasant, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I agree with xs that stability and traction control could be compromised by raising suspension. I'm certain braking would change, too. I understand the low ground clearance issue, but am not willing to modify my suspension height. For me, I slow down when feasible and don't plan any intentional off-road events.

    I know other PC'ers have chatted about trying suspension spacers, so let's hope some of them speak up.
     
  4. dinesh75

    dinesh75 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2011
    5
    0
    0
    Location:
    Gaithersburg
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks XS. The Gen III you are talking about, will I be able to get it in the US? I want a prius with the most ground clearance!
     
  5. roguetadhg

    roguetadhg Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2011
    20
    2
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    Limited AWD-e
    Im sorry, Im new but I gotta say: Most people with sports cars are interested in lowering their cars- not raising. By raising the car you'd change the stability in corning.

    From my test drive experience... it needs the lowering to improve handling.
     
  6. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    388
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Jumping in a year later... There are several reasons to want to raise the suspension. 2" is likely too much, yes. But in my case, I want to "raise" the rear of the car just to put it back to where it should be when empty. I carry large loads and I tow (and no, I don't need a lecture on that, thanks!). I do what I do, and I'd love to find a spacer that'll give me back 3/4 - 1" that I lose with my load.
     
  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,712
    4,347
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You could get your car setup with air bags and flip a switch to adjust ride height as road conditions require... But as mentioned before there's so many details that go into a well-tuned suspension. I've been learning alot from a guy who's writing a series of articles on suspensions here: Suspension Truth # 3:What Makes A Car “Fun To Drive”? Factors In Suspension Dynamics | The Truth About Cars Also there's a poster on PriusChat that probably knows even more than the guy writing these articles, but I can't remember his name, maybe someone else does?
     
  8. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    388
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Air bags won't work on the struts on the back of the Prius (even though many sites imply that they'll work since they are sold as "fitting" the 2006 Prius). I have air bags on my other cars, and they're perfect. But again... another solution is needed for the Prius. I understand the suspension tuning aspects here. I am attempting to re-tune my suspension that gets un-tuned with big loads.
     
    PriusCamper likes this.
  9. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,712
    4,347
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Here's loads of examples of bags compatible with the struts on the back: bagged prius - Google Search
     
  10. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    388
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I see pictures of all kinds of slammed Prius's. But I don't see images of air bags being used in conjunction with the rear struts... or links to product that will work with the rear struts.:confused:
     
  11. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    388
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    BTW, in the meantime, I've found a local custom spring place that already makes taller springs for the Prius.
     
  12. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,712
    4,347
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Pictures just show it can be done, not how it's done... I'm sure if you look at websites that host those pics you'll find someone to explain how they dealt with the challenge...
     
  13. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    388
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    The pictures just show that the Prius can be slammed. It doesn't show that airbags can be used with the factory struts to lift the vehicle. I've visited more sites than I can list. For several years running. I've not seen a single instance where it was even hinted that adding air bags to the rear factory struts has been or can be done. One look at the struts will quickly make it obvious why this is not feasible. Adding air bags won't lower the Prius - and I'm looking to LIFT the back of the Prius - so I'm still not sure how we've headed down this path.

    Yeah, we can remove the suspension and add bags... but that's not what we're after here.
     
    PriusCamper likes this.
  14. ilusnforc

    ilusnforc Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2006
    404
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Antonio, TX
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    PriusCamper likes this.
  15. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    388
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Yeow! That's how to get it done. Built into the strut. I hadn't seen those. Was hoping to not spend quite that much, but thanks for the info! Great to know what options are out there.
     
    PriusCamper likes this.