Lowering springs: best ones for comfort and installation/pricing?

Maybe at your next So Cal meet you guys can side by side driving comparisons of the different spring / coilover options?

 

I would wait till u put 500 - 1000k miles on the new springs. The suspension needs to settle before an alignment can be done correctly

That wouldn't be a bad idea

 

The new wheels look awesome. I would def lower it on some TRDs springs.

 

A word of caution- I have NF series Tanabe springs (which I was told would moderately lower about an inch) on 18" wheels with 205/40/r18 tires and the rear wheels rub occasionaly on bumps. They rub even with no passengers or luggage. The rear sits lower than the front. If you cannot insert at least two fingers between the gap, they will most definately rub.

 

I had barely 1 finger width gap in the rear with a 205/50/17 and I didn't rub. My offset was +45. I think the offset, width of wheel and tread width of tire will really determine if you will rub with only a 1" drop in the rear.

What was your offset and the width of you wheel again? I forgot. Your wheel is much shorter than stock so I'm surprised you rubbed. How far did the Tanabe's drop you?

 

I have the TRD springs and 18" rims and no rubbing. I have put my kids in the back and still no rubbing. I am running the 225/40/18 tires and a 48 offset.

 

+48 offset, width is 7 inches but I have 25mm spacers at the rears and 15mm in front to make them flush with the fenders. I don't know if spacers is the cause. No rubbing in front but definately rubbing at the rears on occasional bumps. About 1.5 fingers clearance at the rears and 2.5 in the front. Considering either fender rolling or going back to stock spring for the rears.

 

It's the spacers. Why not just sell the rear spacers and go with a 10mm or so? 25mm is just too much for a lowered car with 7" wheels.

 

Wow... Awesome comments from everyone! This is a great thread... My question is still not clearly answered yet so maybe I need to restate it with more details:

Yesterday I drove my gen2 on the highways and interstates of Oregon and Northern California for 12 hours with only one 15 minute break and a one hour break. I enjoyed every minute of it!

So if I put TRD or H&R lowering springs on my car will the more firm ride make me more tired, less tired or about the same after driving for 12 hours?

Note: The car came with integrity tires and I know everything will be better/less life threatening once they're replaced and I know I'll be happy taking the twisty parts at speed with lowering spring but it'd really suck to put a whole bunch of cash into a better ride if it turns out that it's way less comfortable to drive at 70mph in the straight parts for hours and hours...

Driving 12 hours continuously wasn't possible for me in my other cars, the ride wasn't comfortable enough... But in the Prius I'm able to do it event though the shocks have 125K on them... The shocks of course will be replaced at the same time I get the springs...

What would you do?

Please help...

 

im in south OC, if you are in the area hit me up and we can take a ride in my PiP with TRD springs. honestly if the rim/tire swap didnt bother you then i doubt the springs will. the loss of some sidewall on your tires is where i am going with that.

if you want the springs installed i can do that in an hour.

 

New springs, wheels, and tires yesterday. I'm not exactly sure why, but I averaged 65 mpg on the 20 mile ride home. 10 miles of 65 mph and 10 miles of 35 - 45 mph. What a huge difference. The ride is much more responsive. I did pick up a little more road noise, but the handling improvements make up for it. I especially like the way the car corners. Living in the mountains of Northeast TN, I'm constantly turning the wheel. Thanks for the advice!

 

What size wheels and tires did to go with?

 

16 x 7 wheels, 205/50R16 Goodyear assurance fuel max tires

 

I have the H&R's on mine, ride is decent (uneven freeway terrain got a bit more bouncy)

 

Please keep us updated on any mpg changes. We need more info on that wheel/tire size.

 

+ 1 for TRD lowering springs

 

I'll keep you posted.

 

I tried to make the cars more noticeable than in the original picture.