Today I had my Progress rear swaybar installed on my '05 by a Goodyear store for a whopping $46.00. If you have the energy and two jacks you could do it yourself since its an add-on and not a replacement. Pretty simple.
After doing a lot of cruising this afternoon, I will say this is the ONLY suspension mod a sane person would ever need! Why? Price, ease of installation, and performance.
This bar eliminates that nasty tailend "wag", makes the vehicle corner flatter, and changes the dynamics from understeer to close to neutral unless pushed hard. Even at normal street speeds it can trick you into thinking your piloting a rear-driver. Sweepers, 90 degree corners, and circular on/off ramps bring on the grins. When cornering at street speeds you begin to notice the seat bolsters for the first time--those stock tires are now working.
I run stock rims and tires and probably always will. After installation, and not being a redlight Gran Prix racer, I find this modification to be ideal for the average owner/driver. The ride has a slight bit additional jounce BUT it doesn't effect the overall ride quality. Even tar strips didn't seem any more pronounced.
This bar is such a MUST HAVE I'm suprised Toyota didn't design this into the original. It gives you a more secure and planted feel--hell, the car feels more directional just headed straight on!
Well, obviously, I'm just lukewarm to this mod. :D If like me, you understand that a tall "wagon" with a 1.5L engine is not a sports machine but a unique economy car, this bar will take care of a lot of issues and make it safer for 'point and squirt" driving.
Get one now. (Gee, I should be on commish!)
dinkjs
10-24-2004, 02:37 PM
Are you getting alot of nose down in the turns and also are you still using the front stock sway bar?
firesquare
10-24-2004, 03:35 PM
Pics Pics. whats the price, is it chrome, paintable, round square?
congrats man!
hotbox05
10-24-2004, 09:02 PM
more importantly what size is it 21mm or 11mm?
dinkjs
10-24-2004, 09:31 PM
more importantly what size is it 21mm or 11mm?
22 mm
woof
10-25-2004, 12:25 AM
Are you getting alot of nose down in the turns and also are you still using the front stock sway bar?
-- Haven't noticed. I would think it would be dimniished since the rear is now tighter. I have noticed less front end rise on acceleration.
I used stock everything for the exception of this bar. Apparently it was designed mostly for this purpose--using alone. Someone here has already posted using this bar with a Hotchikiss front bar with pics.
If you are not a compulsive Teen Tuner, this is the only money you need to spend. I still can't believe Toyota didn't dial this in to the original design.
dinkjs
10-25-2004, 12:29 AM
Are you getting alot of nose down in the turns and also are you still using the front stock sway bar?
-- Haven't noticed. I would think it would be dimniished since the rear is now tighter. I have noticed less front end rise on acceleration.
I used stock everything for the exception of this bar. Apparently it was designed mostly for this purpose--using alone. Someone here has already posted using this bar with a Hotchikiss front bar with pics.
If you are not a compulsive Teen Tuner, this is the only money you need to spend. I still can't believe Toyota didn't dial this in to the original design.
The reason is....is because the company wants to make the car for everyone.....most people dont know how to control a car to the point of oversteer....so thats why pretty much every company will make cars with understeer....its easier for the everyday consumer...and sometimes safer for beginners
bondobob
10-25-2004, 01:40 AM
howdy tex,
with frntwheel drive you stomp on it if you think you are gonna lose it,works everytime! tha bars help,but never let it get away,step on it,and it will get you thru!!!
dinkjs
10-25-2004, 01:44 AM
howdy tex,
with frntwheel drive you stomp on it if you think you are gonna lose it,works everytime! tha bars help,but never let it get away,step on it,and it will get you thru!!!
Whose Tex?
woof
10-25-2004, 03:06 AM
bondobob, I've never tried stomping on it as the xB doesn't spool up that much torque. The classic manouver is to stab the brakes to hang out the tail. With the new bar in place, a quick stab doesn't throw out the tail nearly as much as without it. But, you don't have to do it as often either.
The xB is no 911 and that's why I'm really advocating the "sane" mod.
mikochu
10-25-2004, 03:12 AM
You gotta heel/toe a 90 degree turn! Come on! :twisted:
hotbox05
10-26-2004, 04:31 AM
so how much is this bar and where can i pick one up? any pics?!!!
dinkjs
10-26-2004, 04:33 AM
149.00
at www.optauto.com
hotbox05
10-26-2004, 04:57 AM
damn bank roll. someone needs to make one yeah. then id buy one.
Dewmerz
10-26-2004, 05:15 AM
There was a sponsored sale on this bar. http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=29696
Use their 5% off code to make it a little cheaper. Search for the code as I cannot remember where they posted it.
10-26-2004, 05:57 AM
Pics Pics. whats the price, is it chrome, paintable, round square?
congrats man!
Dude wheres the pics! I need to see that thing installed. :D
JdMBboFSD
10-26-2004, 05:59 AM
Pics Pics. whats the price, is it chrome, paintable, round square?
congrats man!
Dude wheres the pics! I need to see that thing installed. :D
agreed........ :D
10-26-2004, 06:28 AM
Pics Pics. whats the price, is it chrome, paintable, round square?
congrats man!
Dude wheres the pics! I need to see that thing installed. :D
agreed........ :D
There you go!! More of an argument to have pics. :D
Minsk99
10-26-2004, 11:30 PM
I'm running the Progress bar in the rear with the Hotchkis bar in the from. Great setup.
Lip
10-27-2004, 12:08 AM
my progressive will be here tomorrow...i'll do a write up after i get some time in it. stock front sway bar
BeQuietAndDrive
10-27-2004, 04:21 AM
Go to an autocross and tell me that the stock tires are good.
Trust me..the stock Potenza's are total crap.
Lip
10-27-2004, 10:37 AM
thats a gimmee. If i'm able i'm going to put the xb on Watkins Glenn track and give you an accurate performance review...but with a better tire. only add ons will be rims/tires, that rear sway bar, goldline springs, dc front strut bar and brake pads
Back_In_Black_xA
10-27-2004, 05:45 PM
The cheap key to good handling on any FWD...
-Good springs
-Good tires
-Big rear sway bar
My Civic had a 22mm rear and the differences was amazing. I will get this progress rear sway bar if I ever get any spending cash. But I'm too broke to mod my car.
Lip
10-27-2004, 06:46 PM
you hit it on the head. my bar came in today actually. i just installed it and took it for a ride.
Dunlop SP Sport FM901 with Rota autox rims...in 15". Only add on is the rear progressive swaybar and Goldline springs.
its actually fairly neutral. i was a bit leary on pushing it too hard with all the leaves in my area but even at a bit more then moderate speeds it felt far far less top heavy. Tire bite(what i could do anyway) forced the bar to do its job and it did just that. The stock rear bar stays in place but adding a 22mm bar on top of that is substantial. The front bar any bigger and i think it may require an even bigger bar in the rear. I think from that little spirt this is a substantial improvement over stock and will allow a street driver to do some High performance driving courses and feel safe doing so. Maybe if i get a few minutes i'll do a quick .wmv file by taking it out again.
keep in mind...indicated mph is from say 60-80mph. I had one hand holding the camera, one hand on the wheel and shifter. But the box really didn't have any issues with those curves