Lowering My Scion

S

ScionWes

New member
Hey Gang,



It's been a long while since I've posted on here...hope everyone is doing well!!



I want to stress that I am a dumb dumb when it comes to tinkering around with an automobiles performance or looks (i.e. adding ground effects, fog lamps etc.)



With that said, I am thinking about possibly lowering my scion a little bit, rather than adding ground effects.



My question is this: Is it better to go buy a lowering kit or easier to have a friend just cut down the springs on my suspension? I am a college student, so money is an issue right now and these plans may take a while to be put into production. I am just trying to get an idea of what my options are.



The car is a 2007 Scion tC.
 
pyro is right, buy a kit and save your old springs and any other parts you may take off. If you ever want to go back to stock height, you'll already have the parts to do it.
 
+1 on getting springs. My friend got springs for his TC(can't remember which springs), and it looks great. ESPECIALLY cause he had the entire aero kit. Looks fantastic!
 
Please don't cut the springs. Buy the TRD springs instead - it's the perfect drop without being too low. I suggest you get the TRD shocks/struts as well, but it can get pretty expensive that way (probably around $500-$600 that way), however it is the right way to do it. There are plenty of people rolling around on the TRD springs and stock shocks, but doing it this way can mean your shocks may blow out at any time, which would be pretty bad.



Personally, I'm not willing to do it to my car without doing it right (getting the shocks as well), so that means that no matter how clean and shiny I make my tC it'll still look ugly because it has the ground clearance of a 4x4 :(
 
Thanks for your opinions guys. It is a good idea to take care of/keep the original parts just to be on the safe side. The car is brand new and when it's time to sell it, giving the future buyer the option to go back to factory settings could be a selling point.



Paul34 - Like I said, I don't really know much about cars so I'd like to know why it's a bad idea to have the springs but not the TRD struts. Does having the car lower put more pressure on the struts?
 
Yea... the issue is that shocks/struts are made to move a certain amount in their normal operation. When you install lower springs, the range in which the car will move up and down in response to things like normal driving, bumps, etc is reduced, thus reducing the free range of the shocks/struts. This can lead to excess wear and premature failure for shocks which are operated in a range where they weren't meant to stay at all the time.



I'm not a car guy either, I'm still trying to learn myself :)



btw, www.trdsparks.com and www.mcgeorgeparts.com are two places the Scion community (are you on www.scionlife.com? If not, come on over and join us!) uses to get OEM parts much cheaper than your local dealer (even though those two websites are dealers themselves). TRD parts are also available there... you're looking for the TRD springs and shocks struts (if you decide you want them). Otherwise I believe the springs will run you aobut $155, which isn't too bad at all.



here are the springs - click



shocks can also be found on the page



or you can get the "package" deal

click



If you would like to improve handling you can also get a TRD rear sway bar. I would like to do this upgrade but all my money has disappeared for detailing supplies :aww:
 
Go with springs and matching shocks. I have the Eibach Pro-Kit spings with Bilstein sport shocks on my BMW and love the look and ride. Keep in mind you will need an alignment so figure < $100 for that.



Steve
 
SHICKS said:
Go with springs and matching shocks. I have the Eibach Pro-Kit spings with Bilstein sport shocks on my BMW and love the look and ride. Keep in mind you will need an alignment so figure < $100 for that.



Steve
Click to expand...



I have the same combo on my Benz and love it.

Always go with a matching spring and shock set or get coil overs. I am sure the scion has many to choose from.
 
paul34 said:
Please don't cut the springs. Buy the TRD springs instead - it's the perfect drop without being too low.
Click to expand...



agreed. fellow autopian member (kpagel) has a scion tc release series 2.0 in blue blitz mica (2,600 made) and dropped it with trd springs and it looks really good, and there's no negative camber in the front or back... :up
 
Another good site to check for Toyota/TRD parts is at Carson Toyota's Scion Parts Store. If you're going to lower the car might as well go for the whole set up and get sways while you're at it. It will definitely giver your ride a sportier feel.
 
Wow. Very helpful guys, I really appreciate all this advice.



Paul - Thanks for going through all that trouble to point me in the right direction. I have been to scionlife.com a few times (not a member yet) just to check out pics of tC's that are out there and what other people have done with their rides. I think a lowered Scion looks really cool and with the right rims, your car can totally change in just one weekend's worth of work.



I dunno when that weekend will be because I too, am a little short in the wallet at the moment.



Nonetheless, I am excited about my options you've all shown me here and when I do get the cash my decisions will be easier made now that I am an informed shopper =0)
 
Depending on how much your car will be lowered, you "may" have to install a camber kit when you get an alignment. This will ensure that your alignment readings are within OEM specs and help your tires from premature uneven wear.



-Mike
 
All of the variables for what you should do depend on the drop you want. Most stock suspensions will handle 1-1.5" drop without requiring new struts/shocks/camber kits. If you want more, it takes more. You need to have a certain amount of travel available for the factory struts or they'll be done in no time. Shop around for springs and go with a brand name. Eibach, Tein, H&R, Whiteline, Ground Control, Intrax, Suspension Techniques, etc. Just stay away from no-name eBay springs. They're usually not a matched spring rate for your specific car.
 
Wes, I've been getting closer to buying the TRD springs myself. Many people run it on stock shocks with no problem (for over 10k miles in many cases). Here's what I think:



1) The TRD drop is one of the "lightest" drops you can get - it really shouldn't add significantly more wear

2) The dealer does NOT require you to get the shocks/struts with the springs. This must mean that the struts/shocks should be capable of holding on for at least three years. Of course, this all depends on one's driving style (things like holding excess weight in the car at all times, running at speed over speed bumps/potholes, etc would probably wear shocks faster), but I think you'll be ok.



My plan is to buy the springs, but also just keep the cash on hand in case my struts blow and I need to buy new ones. No point wasting the struts I paid for when I bought my car... at least that's my logic :)



After they "settle" you'll also probably want to get an alignment. Other than that, there's no other adjustments... for example, you shouldn't need camber kits or anything. The TRD drop definitely is far from "slammed."
 
If you want a significant gain in handling and feel, sport struts will really help as well as sways. If you are going for looks only, the springs will be fine. Maybe upgrade the struts later. Even a slight drop can cause a bouncy ride on unmatched springs\shocks.



Steve
 
Just a friendly FYI...



TRD springs are made by Eibach... at least the ones made for my friend's Lexus IS300.



Good luck with the lowering,

Mike
 
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