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Lowering the Prius: exhaustive questions list

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by priusenvious1, Nov 20, 2013.

  1. priusenvious1

    priusenvious1 Member

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    I'm still on the fence about lowering the car. I just want the car to continue to be a problem free, low maintenance car that I don't have to worry about. So I still have some questions for the people who have lowered their car:
    • How much of a drop is optimal for not causing too much problems?
    • What are the use cases that never was an issue before but now are new issues as a result, let's say if you dropped it one inch? I'm thinking entering driveways and parking spots where there's that wheel chock at the end of it. Will the front scrape?
    • Does it wear out other parts prematurely (i.e., struts)
    • If you drop it an inch, does it look drastically different?
    • Did you see a change in MPG?
    • In terms of ride, how much rougher is it after the drop? I see mixed feedback with some saying that with springs like H&R, there was virtually no change or some other people say there was a much rougher ride. Not sure what the answer is here since I hear different opinions.
    • Where's the best and cheapest place to buy springs? I'm leaning towards H&R since it seems to be the one that looks great and people say that it affects the ride the least. Any local places in the LA area where I can save on tax if I pay cash and pay for install combined?
    • For the people who have lowered: would you do it again if you started over or would you prefer to have done something else instead? If so, what?

    Thanks guys!
     
  2. Priusmpg

    Priusmpg Active Member

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    I just went with Trd springs which did make the ride noticeably different but not uncomfortable.

    From the Trd springs height I don't have any problems with driveways or speed bumps I have had them for 3000 miles

    With the Trd springs, since toyota doesn't change the struts for the plus prius or any thing else. I would think it won't prematurely mess anything up though I'm not sure.

    Yes, to me I can spot a lowered prius easily and it look different to me not drastically though.

    Minor change in mpg ( for the better)

    I'm in nor cal I don't know of anything in SoCal


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  3. priusenvious1

    priusenvious1 Member

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    Thanks for the reply. This helps a lot. Question about your first point. When you say different, was it much more rough?
     
  4. Tony D

    Tony D Active Member

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    H&R springs are one of the best on the market and lowering by 1 inch will look better and not make a huge difference in terms of ride.

    I've lowered numerous cars over the years and one thing I've noticed is that you get what you pay for.
     
  5. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    I have problems with many driveways without lowering.
     
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  6. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    This fairly common on the stock Prius, so lowering doesn't really make that that much worse IMO.

    Here's my before and after video on the TRD Prius Plus Lowering Springs:

     
  7. Priusmpg

    Priusmpg Active Member

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    Yes I would


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  8. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    If you can see it on the road surface, you can feel it. It is not a jarring ride by no means but more precise.

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
  9. priusenvious1

    priusenvious1 Member

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    I'm not sure what you mean.
     
  10. priusenvious1

    priusenvious1 Member

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    Maybe it's because your car is black but I don't see a difference!
     
  11. priusenvious1

    priusenvious1 Member

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    Got it.
     
  12. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    He means that the Prius is already a relatively low riding vehicle. I can relate, I've scraped the lower edge of the front spoiler coming out of steep driveways and on some parking stall curbs/stops as well with our non-lowered Prius.

    SCH-I535
     
  13. Grren4ever

    Grren4ever Active Member

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    I am interested in lowering the prius too, with the TRD springs. Since the TRD springs were made for the car and endorsed by Toyota, they should be the best bet for a good balance between comfort and performance. I highly doubt Toyota would put their name on a product that gives a jarring, slammed or dangerous driving vehicle that may potentially affect the life of other components.

    If you have the money, perhaps check out cusco coilovers...They have the comfort spec line but will be costing 2K for a set of 4. Toyota Prius Coil Overs and Prius Springs and Prius Shocks: PriusAccessory.com.

    I used to run H&R sportline springs on my 1989 Honda civic hatch; mated with adjustable Koni shocks. The ride was actually so stiff and uncomfortable that I took off the springs and put back on the oems. Meanwhile, my buddy who had an integra with H&R sportline springs had a nice sporty and compliant ride - totally unpredictable depending on what car the springs are put on.

    I could go on forever and ever about suspension setups. Now that I think of it, I should just leave everything as is on my prius! Do something wrong and the chassis as well as your back pays the price :(.
     
  14. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    It may be difficult to see because it was shot on different days with different camera but after is definitely lower.
     
  15. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    I used Tanabe NF-210 springs. They're designed to retain the original ride quality while lowering about 1.5". I strongly suspect that the TRD springs are Tanabe NF-210's repainted based on photos I've seen.

    My original shocks are fine so far (30K miles on the lowered springs), and there was no change to the front/rear alignment after the drop (I had it checked). There has been more scraping under the front, and I've replaced a cover panel there. I've also installed a proximity sensor in the front lip to help prevent parking scrapes.