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http://home.earthlink.net/~al_truistic/images/compare_2864.jpg :o
http://home.earthlink.net/~al_truistic/images/compare_2866.jpg :shock:
http://home.earthlink.net/~al_truistic/images/compare_2867.jpg :)
http://home.earthlink.net/~al_truistic/images/compare_2865.jpg :D

I felt the difference in the ride immediately and the mild drop was just what my autoBox needed to take it a notch above stock without being to obvious but what a difference in the stance! I don't feel any less body roll but, they are I believe "softer" springs so I'm not expecting much in that area.

I've been riding on the H-Techs since Friday and should still see a little more settling, which I'm hoping isn't much more, but the ride quality is so much better. The road "noise" that used to come up through the steering wheel is now just like a whisper where before, it was like a chatter. The ride feel is definitely more like a sedan now than the origiinal econo-ride IMHO.

The install was expertly performed by Eric at StreetImage in Baldwin Hills, CA and his next recommendation we discussed would be upgrading the struts and shocks together. I told him that I only knew of TRD and Tokico doing set ups and he said he would look into it. Jeff and Eric are really nice and made took care of me really well. Two thimbs up and very high recommendations for this crew!

If you are lookiing to smooth out and get a plusher ride I don't think youcan go wrong with the H-Techs. Though they won't absorb the big ones they definitely make the rest of the road feel more even and take the shock out of the medium bumps. A slightly lower profile without going too low makes this an easy and affordable mod for the less concerned with being slammed. :wink:

Looks nice. The drop seems perfect. Those 15" Wheels you running?

Wow, thank you very much for the pictures, I was thinking about Tein H Springs with my stock wheels to improve the ride. Now this is the question Springs **or** Security System!!!

-nt

Thanks and Correctomundo. 15x7, ET35 rear 5mm wheel spacer and shim but thinking I could do a 10mm spacer on the rear and 5mm on the front.

Al.Truistic
aB
Looks nice. The drop seems perfect. Those 15" Wheels you running?

Thank you very much.
Difficult decision...don't skimp on security. I'd get a garage if I could :wink: I still use my old club from my old ride with the upgraded Scion Security...

Al.Truistic
aB
Wow, thank you very much for the pictures, I was thinking about Tein H Springs with my stock wheels to improve the ride. Now this is the question Springs **or** Security System!!!

-nt

Does it make the ride bouncier?

Max2k, I was worried about this as well. I didn't want to be driving along and all of a sudden my car goes into convulsions after going over a paper cup in the road.

I'm proud and happy to say that the ride is NOT bouncy at all, it is steady and solid feeling at all times. Where originally hitting any type of bump would be jarring and hard, now the car reacts in a smooth absorbing type of effect and no more sharp, jarring or hard impact.

The H-Techs still have some settling to do. I was told it would vary with road conditions but, that in the next 1000 miles it should be at it's final settle. I'll probably go in for an alignment then, which is what Eric recommended to ensure proper tire wear and to adjust for the newly settled suspension. Recommended but, not required... :wink:

I'll update this thread as time goes by, up to that 1000 miles and alignment. If anyone has anymore questions, please ask and I'll try and respond informatively. This is a great mod and can be even less expensive than I paid by performing your own install (it didn't look hard---) with a great result in ride quality and appearance.

Al.Truistic
aB
Does it make the ride bouncier?

i just installed my s-techs earlier in the evening and am very satisfied. the drop seems like more than 1.5 in but looks damn good except for my stockies. body roll has reduced and the ride seems smoother, ill post pics later this week after i install the header, intake, and exhaust.

Maybe I missed it, but what size tires are you running? And what was the actual drop of the H-techs? Looks great by the way!

very nice lookin! i love that.....in fact thats what im looking at getting now!



Tanabe may have just lost out :wink:

The nominal drop for H-Tech springs is 1.2 inches.

My own before and after pictures: http://wsoon.ipfox.com

Very comfy ride.

AL looks good.

I'm glad you were finally able to come to our shop for install.

Al,

Thanks for the write-up - you've inpired me to take the plunge. My birthday is on Sunday, my wife said I could either get a new table saw or springs for the box. I'm going to miss having a new table saw. :D

I guess I'll have to find that post that talks about installing the springs now. Not sure if I want to tackle it, or find a shop to perform the install.

Kevin

Sorry for the late replies...

Yo Bull...Thanks! I have 15X7 ET35 Work Nezart Spoke 2's with a pair of H&R Wheel Spacers and OneTon Garage Wheel Shims in the rear... :D

The advertised drop is 1.1 inch in the front and .9 inches in the back, which might get a little lower but I don't think much...here's hoping, in my case :shock:

Al.Truistic
aB
Maybe I missed it, but what size tires are you running? And what was the actual drop of the H-techs? Looks great by the way!
Thanks Sexyx! I don't think there is any way you could go wrong, the improvement is noticeable and until a better combo of shock/strut/sping, etc comes along it is a great treat. The look is awesome without feeling dropped, IMO.

Al.Truistic
aB
very nice lookin! i love that.....in fact thats what im looking at getting now!

Tanabe may have just lost out :wink:
Thanks Jeff, I'm glad I could get over there! Great shop by the way...I will look forward to when I can come by again for any kind of help with getting a shock/strut combo upgrade...

StreetImage is highly recommended...

Al.Truistic
aB
AL looks good.

I'm glad you were finally able to come to our shop for install.

Hey Kevin, thanks!
It really didn't look too hard and from the number of people that have done it themselve it's pretty much a no-brainer but, the deal at Jeff's shop was too good to pass up for me. Maybe you can get the springs and talk to some shops that want to do some Scion business, doesn't hurt to get business by word of mouth, so maybe someone could helpyou out that way...

This guy: http://www.aeiperformance.com/images/installtech/scion_xb_spring_install.htm has a pretty nice DIY...

Al.Truistic
aB
Al,

Thanks for the write-up - you've inpired me to take the plunge. My birthday is on Sunday, my wife said I could either get a new table saw or springs for the box. I'm going to miss having a new table saw. :D

I guess I'll have to find that post that talks about installing the springs now. Not sure if I want to tackle it, or find a shop to perform the install.

Kevin

What size tires are running on those wheels?

Those are the stock tires...185/60/15 as I recall.

Al.Truistic
aB
What size tires are running on those wheels?

I finally found this post, haha. But how is the ride? Still going O.K.? O got my Security System, and now an consentration on suspension.

-nt

Nathan ---
The ride is still improved compared to the stock springs, and is still quieter than it ever was on rough roads and at high speeds. I have scraped my exhaust a few times and with stock I never did, but that was only with a full boat of my fat ___ friends in the back seat after coming back from lunch on a deep drive way exit...:D !

And after the initial 1000 miles and a Dealer Service alignment the great look and handling are still the same, with no sign of uneven tread wear.

So, still big thumbs up for ride quality and improvement over stock with the occasional challenging steep driveway to remind me that I'm not riding stock. I think it is still one of the better/safer mods for the minimal cost and effort that anyone can do to thier box.

Did I also mention the look sooo very cool :wink: ?

Al.Truistic
aB
I finally found this post, haha. But how is the ride? Still going O.K.? O got my Security System, and now an consentration on suspension.

-nt

Your xB looks really good!

Thanks Jason! I've seen pictures of your xA before and think it is pretty nice looking, too! One of these days when I am down visiting my folks in Bonita I hope I get too see it in person! Happy New Year!

Al.Truistic
aB
Your xB looks really good!

I'm like 7 min away from bonita..

Cool, it woould be nice to see your xA. I don't see too many Scions in Bonita...

aB
I'm like 7 min away from bonita..

Did you have to change the struts from stock?
What did the whole drop cost you?

I didn't and I still need to do more research on struts but, I have heard that it is the next part to the solution to getting a great ride...

The price was an install day special at Street Image: $220 installed for the H Techs.

aB
Did you have to change the struts from stock?
What did the whole drop cost you?

Yes if comfort is what you want the Tein H 's are the way to go, I had the Tanabe df210's for about 8 months I loved the look but after some passengers {mainly the pregnant wife } complained about the ride, I started to notice the ____y ride also. I just put my Teins in last night and its night and day. Love the ride!!!

What about having h-techs and 17" rims?

Thats what I got.

jus wondering how many inches did it actually drop after everything was settled?..im looking into these or the s-techs..i just dont want any form of bouncy ride and I often have 3-4 ppl in the xb so i dont want to go too low and scrape everything in site..any input....thanks

I'm still debaterin on GoldLine or Tanabe DF210s. The GoldLine is 2" drop and the Tanabe DF210s are like 2.3.

Not to jack your thread, but that's an exellent before/after shot there. How many other b/a shots are there. I'd love to see the before/after of a the tanabe DF210s with stock steelies.

I too installed the H-techs and I love the drop, not too much but def lower than stock which gives me the perfect ride heigth I was looking for... BUT I also installed the monroe sensatracs (both shcoks/struts) at the same time, so for me the ride is FAR MUCH smoother than stock!!! if you do a search under mine name you can get all the details...

Hey guys...been away from the site for a while. I'm not too sure as to where I should measure from but from the top of the tire to the bottom edge of the fender is 1.25 inches. After all this time riding on the H-Techs, I have to say it was worth it for the change in appearance and upgrade in ride quality and I am glad I didn't go lower. :love:

Do not let anyone tell you different in L.A. (and even San Diego) you will scrape! Not often but you will scrape, and sometimes your muffler will even scrape (but that has only happened twice.). I once had a full boat of five and took a too huge speed bump without slowing down in time and I swear my frame felt that one. I still have not mastered the art of always taking a steep driveway with wheels turned(?) and sometimes it doesn't matter how slow you ease into them... :nope:

Just watch those low curbs and parking barriers when you pull into a space and you should be fine...

Sometimes, because of the H-Techs, I think I'm even more aerodynamic...:silly:

aB
jus wondering how many inches did it actually drop after everything was settled?..im looking into these or the s-techs..i just dont want any form of bouncy ride and I often have 3-4 ppl in the xb so i dont want to go too low and scrape everything in site..any input....thanks

I too installed the H-techs and I love the drop, not too much but def lower than stock which gives me the perfect ride heigth I was looking for... BUT I also installed the monroe sensatracs (both shcoks/struts) at the same time, so for me the ride is FAR MUCH smoother than stock!!! if you do a search under mine name you can get all the details...

I'm about to order some Monroes, just for the rear... 60 bucks sounds like a good investment.

Regardless of springs (even the stockers), I've still heard complaints about the stiff, bumpy ride. Upgrading the shocks is a good idea. And I agree that you don't really need $200 Konis, just something better than those crappy stock shocks. I'll right a review when I get them.

-THE DON

I'm about to do the Monroes too, have something special I'm gonna try with em...

I'd be riding on H-Techs right now but not quite low enough for me.

Back from the dead, I know... but, I must say, the OP's before and after pics are the best stock - dropped comparos that I've seen. As soon as it warms up around here, H.Techs are going on. Thanks!