Had some fun this afternoon installing some new suspension goodies. I couldn't take my Ground Control adjustable springs falling out every time I jacked up the xB, so I put in the HKS Hipermax C Coilovers. While I was at it I decided to through on the JIC Magic Type II lower frame brace and the Hotchkis strut tower bar. I feel like I'm driving a different car! Anyway below are some pictures as well as some info on installation that might be helpful.

My new ____
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/avatar_99/108_0813.jpg
HKS Hipermax C- Rear
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/avatar_99/108_0817.jpg
HKS Hipermax C- Front
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/avatar_99/108_0825.jpg
Here is a picture of the stock rear shock next to the HKS shock. The stock shock is 3" longer at full drop. Also pictures is the Ground Control liners spring (red) and the HKS (white). Anyways, easy to see why they fall out when at full drop. I really like the ride of the Ground Control although it is very stiff. However, I don't think that they work well with the stock shocks and struts and as mentioned they fall out when you jack up the car (a total pain in the ___).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/avatar_99/108_0814.jpg
One thing to keep in mind when installing the HKS Hipermax C is that you will nead to reuse the stock rubber brushings for the rear shock. The instructions are in Japanese so its a little confusing. If you do not put the rubber brushing between the top of the rear shock and the underside of the car you will have a gap that wobbles around. Below is a picture of the black brushing I'm talking about. It came off the top of the stock shock.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/avatar_99/108_0820.jpg
Installation for the JIC Type II lower frame brace was easy. However the instructions are also in Japanese and there is a picture of the brace bolting into and sharing a hole with the existing brace. These are two black metal rods that are about 8" long. As far as I can tell there is no way to bolt both the JIC brace and these braces. The JIC brace holds the same pieces together. It uses one of the same holes and the other is only an inch away from where the other end was supposed to go. I left these off as I couldn't find any possible way of using both. Below are the pieces I'm talkin about. If anyone has the JIC brace and got these on, let me know, but I'm thinking they don't go on.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/avatar_99/108_0827.jpg
Hotchkis strut bar
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/avatar_99/108_0826.jpg
Anyways, the ride is great. It's hard to tell what is responsible as I put all these things on at once. But with the JIC and Hotchkis braces (I also have the Hotchkis sways) cornering is SOLID! I also love the ride of the Hipermax C. Handling is great, but also a bit more forgiving then the Ground Control I had on there. I haven't had lots of time to really test this stuff out, but so far I am really happy with these suspension mods

Wow, that's a nice setup. How long did it take you to install all of that?

How long did it take you to install all of that?
Hard to say because I took a few hours out to put out a fire in the building next door. It was pretty crazy My buddy and I had to brake down the door and take a fire extinguisher and put it out. An entire wall was lit and smoke was billowing from all the windows of the second floor of the apartment. Apparently the guy who lives there has a pet turtle and its heat lamp fell and lit up a drape. Anyway I broke down the door of his next door neighbor because he was sleeping and didn't answer the door. That ____er was actually ____ed. I was like next time should I just let you burn?

Anyway.
JIC lower frame brace: 30 - 45 minutes without a lift

Hotchkis strut bar: I already had undone the front suspension for the coilovers so it didn't take any additional time. I would think that this would take 30 mins otherwise.

HKS coilovers took four hours, but that was with the interruptions I mentioned and I had a six pack of tallboys and good tunes on the cd player. Never a recipe for a quick install.

looks real nice.

Sweet 8)

what's the max drop on the HKS?

Looking Good!

Your ride looks really nice. Do you have a link for the JIC brace?

Did you install the Hotchkis sways yourself? The reason I ask is, I did and the front sway. It caused the TCS and VSC lights to engage and the traction control would come on at the slightest turn of the wheel. Took out the front, put the factory one back in and the probelm was gone.

Nobody on these boards knows what I'm talking about, plus I drive an auto, and not many people here drive those either.

That looks hot. Much better than stock

Dude, you went Fire Marshall Bill on the apartment building next to you? Dude, that is crazy cool! I'm suprised you finished. I would have taken the afternoon off and down 2 sixers of tall boys! You rock!

Yeah, that is the set of coilovers that I want... someday... someday... :cry:

Did you install the Hotchkis sways yourself? The reason I ask is, I did and the front sway. It caused the TCS and VSC lights to engage and the traction control would come on at the slightest turn of the wheel. Took out the front, put the factory one back in and the problem was gone.
Funny you mention that. I did install the sways myself. A total pain in the ___ without a lift. I also have the TRACK OFF and VSC problem. However, this didn't coincide with the installation of the sways. In fact, my car is at the dealers today getting inspected by a Toyota tech for this very problem (took like six weeks to get him to come in for the inspection). Anyways, they had to order a new ECU. Hopefully will be installed by end of tomorrow.
what's the max drop on the HKS?
You can get mad drop to be very precise :D Actually, perhaps a bit too much. If you want the option of lifting the car back up a bit for harsher driving conditions then this is not the setup to get. If you check out the pictures of the setup I have above you cab see how much drop is left in the front. I have about 2" dialed in and there is ____ loads left. The rear can get real low too. I bet over 3" if not almost 4". Don't take my word on that it is only an estimation based on how much more I think I could get by eyeballing the setup. Xb ey has his xB dumped on the Hipermax C. Here is a link to his report on how low he got. http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14346&highlight=hipermax
Do you have a link for the JIC brace?
They sell them on Scion Life. I think Steve from Bbist used to carry them as well. I got mine at Super Autobacs ($209). I can never seem to leave that place empty handed. I'm going to have to give my wallet to my girlfriend before I go in there. On second thought she has a 94 Celica and has been talking about "bigger exhausts". I better hold on to the cash. :wink:
I'm surprised you finished. I would have taken the afternoon off and down 2 sixers of tall boys!
Dude, when I saw the smoke I looked at my new coilovers, looked at the sun in the sky and was like I guess I can deal with the fire and have time to install my suspension. Only then did I yell Fire. :D Just kidding. But I could hardly wait to get this ____ in the ride. The sixer of tallboys was a must though.

minsk: are pics fourth-coming...cant wait to see it. glad ive got another "HKS Brother" in here...me, you, toyx box.

youre right...obviously the lower you go, the firmer it gets. i'm maxed out in the rear, and i'm as low as you can get it without rubbing in the front using my wheel / tire set-up.

along with the coilovers, i did the hotchkiss sways...and youre right...it is like driving another car.

How long did you wait for your C-Compacts to come in?

HKS says the max drop for the front is 3.56" and the rear is about 3.4". Right out of the box it will lower the car 2.56" in front and 2.56" in the rear, meaning that if you just pull the coilovers out of the box and install them without adjusting the spring perches, thats how much it will lower you box. They said you should be able to go down about 4" if not 4.5". They also said that they always under rate their suspension height. It usually can lower more then what they list. :wink:

How long did you wait for your C-Compacts to come in?
About a week and a half. I was lucky that a shipment was on its way from Japan with an extra set when I ordered. HKS USA is also in SoCal, so the day they cleared customs I was able to take delivery. I guess that HKS USA takes a delivery from Japan every month. If you miss it then you have to wait till the next one. So it could take up to six weeks or so depending on how the order is timed.
HKS says the max drop for the front is 3.56" and the rear is about 3.4". Right out of the box it will lower the car 2.56" in front and 2.56" in the rear, meaning that if you just pull the coilovers out of the box and install them without adjusting the spring perches, thats how much it will lower you box. They said you should be able to go down about 4" if not 4.5". They also said that they always under rate their suspension height. It usually can lower more then what they list.
Sounds about right.

Hipermax coilovers are awesome.
I love mine.

& yes the drop is pretty crazy, you can get relly low.
I had mine slammed at the last show, and everyone thought it was bagged.
greatness 8)

damn it sounds like i should have went w/ the HKS setup..they dont have the camber plates tho, do they?

looks like i will need to sell my cuscos and get a set of the HKS coil-overs. I just can't go as low as id like, im pretty low right now, but id like to go lower. Even though i did just takea pretty big chunk of paint off my front bumper, oh well. :D