TRD Sportivo - Details on how to install

I didnt want to spend any more money so I did it myself.. I'll try and advise anyone who wants to do it.
First off... let me say that I think dealers are asking way too much for the installation of this kit...

If you still wanna pay $700 for installation you can pay me a round trip ticket and I'll help you do it and you'll learn some stuff in the process j/k. hahahaha :lol:

It can be done… I did it… installed the TRD Sportivo kit, with a friend helping me. I will write de detailed information here so you can try and do it yourself if you want to. This info will work only for the TRD kit. And in no way I’m responsible for any injuries or car damage in the process. This is just informational. Hope it helps.

Kit comes with:
4 springs, 2 shocks, 2 struts, 4 bolts, 2 trd sportive decals, and paper info on everything (in Japanese)
Tools:
Wrench Kit (If I remember correctly you’ll need 10,11,12,14,17)
2 jack towers to keep the car up while you work on the front or on the back
a good patient friend
and time.
Spring compressors for front springs (if not you may want to take it to any near pep boys or A.A.P. so they can do it for you)
Work time:
First timer maybe 4-5hrs
If you’ve done it before but first time on a Prius 3hrs
Following times maybe 2 hrs or less
-Start- Front
(car front raised and securely placed on jack stand towers)
1. Remove the wipers (see picture 1).[attachmentid=9912]
2. Remove clips and plastic cover (see picture 1).
3. Remove the wiper motor mechanism.
4. Remove relay box (see picture 2).[attachmentid=9913]
5. Remove the black metal cover [you’ll need to remove plastic covered wiring from its clips] (see picture 2).
6. Once you can see the bar (in my case) proceed to loosen a little (don’t loosen completely) the bolt in the center that comes from the shock (below the rubber cover) and remove the 3 bolts on each side (see picture 3-4).[attachmentid=9914][attachmentid=9915]
7. Have your friend remove the lower part of the shocks (see picture 5).[attachmentid=9916]
8. Pull out the old shocks and springs (see picture 5).
9. I decided to use everything from the stock spring since its still kinda new it still has lots of grease. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. I had no compressor for the springs couldn’t find it but I laid the springs and shocks on the floor and removed the bolt on the center that was loosened. CAUTION it will spring forward. Try and remember the order of each piece so you can use the same one on the new ones.
10. Once you’re ready place the pieces in the correct order and use your spring compressor to help the process to tighten on top. Be aware of the positioning of the top base in relation to the lower part and the holes on top to tighten.
11. Put the shock and spring back in place as the stock one was and tighten. (see picture 6-7)[attachmentid=9917][attachmentid=9918]
12. Repeat for the other side.
13. Put everything back the way it was.
-Finish- take a nice break

-Start- Rear (less pictures sorry it was getting late)
(car rear raised and securely placed on jack stand towers put something to prevent the front wheels from spinning and the car leaping forward – I used two pieces of broken concrete blocks)
1. This is the really slow part… You have to take off the whole lower cover of the back. (see picture 8).[attachmentid=9919]
2. There are 2 metal covers over the area you’ll be working on, remove them (see picture 8).
3. You’ll be working on the struts but it is basically the same routine as in front. First loosen the center bolt a little (CAREFUL not completely).
4. Take off the bolts (see picture 9)[attachmentid=9920]
5. There is one last bolt below you need to take this one off from inside (see picture 10)[attachmentid=9921]
6. Repeat everything from the front steps 9-12. You will not need a compressor for the rear you can have your friend put some weight over the spring while you tighten the base with the center bolt.
7. Put everything back in place as it was and you are done.
-Finish- Take it for a spin!

 

In my opinion is that this kit is very good but would be even better if drops a little. On normal driving the car feels almost as stock. When you take a sharp turn or take a bump is when you'll notice difference. I'm used to stiffer springs from TRD (the pro kit made by Eibach for TRD on corollas (98-00) - it also lowered some more). But in general I'm very pleased with the results and recommend the kit if you have the money and like taking fast turns and curves.


If you have any questions please let me know..

 

well here are some pics

this was the day of the install TRD on the front stock on the back
[attachmentid=9987]
This is how it looks right now... I like it.. im running on 195/55 tires so... wheel to fender space may look bigger than others... but i think it looks cool
[attachmentid=9988]