Just got an XB last week....My biggest hesitation was the bumpy ride....Almost didn't buy the XB just because of that. Went to 3 different dealerships just to be sure it wasn't the car. It had everything else I wanted ... i.e. Low Price, Great Gas Mileage, ABS, Traction....YadaYadaYada....No Armrest or cruise though. While on a test ride, I stopped at a Good Year store just to see what they had to say...They didn't know what to tell me. I do not want low pofile tires. I want a very comfortable ride and was wondering what I can do?

Bryce

bbryce@verizon.net

Believe it or not, but get lowering springs. I bet EVERYONE on this forum that has their xB lowered will vouch that it will be a better ride than stock. I have Spy 2" drop and I dont have any issues with anything. No scraping, rubbing, grinding, or anything annoying of that sort.

Check the tire pressure. Dealerships tend to overinflate the tires (among other things). If it's much over 29 psi cold let some air out -- that should help a lot.

I've also heard that the combination of TRD shocks and springs helps a lot.

Check the tire pressure. Dealerships tend to overinflate the tires (among other things). If it's much over 29 psi cold let some air out -- that should help a lot.

I've also heard that the combination of TRD shocks and springs helps a lot.

I'd def. take his advise. most cars come in with around 40psi as the tire pressure, the problem is that some prep guys dont' take their jobs seriously and dont' adjust it to proper pressure setting.

Just got an XB last week....My biggest hesitation was the bumpy ride....Almost didn't buy the XB just because of that. Went to 3 different dealerships just to be sure it wasn't the car. It had everything else I wanted ... i.e. Low Price, Great Gas Mileage, ABS, Traction....YadaYadaYada....No Armrest or cruise though. While on a test ride, I stopped at a Good Year store just to see what they had to say...They didn't know what to tell me. I do not want low pofile tires. I want a very comfortable ride and was wondering what I can do?

Two things:

Install lower-rate springs with more preload. You get the same ride height and softer ride. You'd have to have the springs custom-wound unless you get lucky and find another car with similar springs. I've pondered Echo springs, but haven't gotten close enough to a junkyard Echo to measure them.

Switch the 15 inch wheels for 14s (like from an Echo) and run 185R14 tires. The higher profile tires will give a softer ride.

George <--also in search of a comfier ride

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I've done some hunting around for a better ride too..........her'es what I've found out....

Echo springs are too long in the front, cutting them will make them ride stiff...rear is the same as xB

xA springs and shock are identical to the xB's.

custom spring would be hard to find and most likely expensive.

So, what I ended up doing was to buy a set of Spy 1.25" lowering springs, believe it or not, the ride is much softer.

I've done some hunting around for a better ride too..........her'es what I've found out....

Echo springs are too long in the front, cutting them will make them ride stiff...rear is the same as xB

xA springs and shock are identical to the xB's.

custom spring would be hard to find and most likely expensive.

So, what I ended up doing was to buy a set of Spy 1.25" lowering springs, believe it or not, the ride is much softer.

When comparing the Echo and Scion springs did you compare relaxed or installed length? If the Echo springs are a lower rate, they would need to be longer to get sufficient pre-load to prevent sag.

I just cannot see lowering the car to get softer springs. softer and less travel is a recipe for wiping out the skirts unless the driver is verrry careful. If the car is being used for "real life", it shouldn't be lowered. It's too low already.

George

Tire pressure is a critical component. Start there. Change pressures around and see what you like. Remember to always check teh pressures when the tires are cold to get an accurate reading.

What size wheels are you running? Lower profile tires will def ride firmer because of the stiffer sidewall. My car has 18s on it but running 40 series tires even though the reccomended size is 35. The larger profile will slow the car slightly as well as throw off the speed/odometer in return for a better ride. I actually think the car corners better this way too.

I would also suggest taking a ride in a car lowered wih TRD springs. These are the most mild in terms of height drop and really do improve the handling of the car. The lower center of gravity and higher spring rates actually provide a more solid and stable ride. Going for a ride in someones car with these springs and keeping all other variables constanst (as many as you can atleast) you ll quickly be able to tell the difference.

After you have considered and tested these options, the next step would be to look into underbody chassis braces. My S2000 which is already one of the stiffest vehicles available, benefited from the multiple braces i put on. I have already started to see X type braces for both the front and rear of the xb being available. Im certain that knock offs of these will be available VERY soon for half the cost. As soon as they do, my xB will be adorned with them.

If you need any more info or are in the LA area your welcome to stop by the shop and drve the car. I ll make a believer out of you ;)

After you have considered and tested these options, the next step would be to look into underbody chassis braces...

Exactly how does an underbody chassis brace soften the ride?

When comparing the Echo and Scion springs did you compare relaxed or installed length? If the Echo springs are a lower rate, they would need to be longer to get sufficient pre-load to prevent sag.

I just cannot see lowering the car to get softer springs. softer and less travel is a recipe for wiping out the skirts unless the driver is verrry careful. If the car is being used for "real life", it shouldn't be lowered. It's too low already.

George

I found out the free length is over an inch longer in the front........it's the same in the rear.
The spring rate seems to be only slightly lighter in both cases. I'd guess it'll actually raise the front, if the springs even fit.

I'm an old guy and didn't want to lower my car either, but I decided to go with the recomendations of the people on this site and try the Spy springs. Believe it or not, they are softer, and I chose the smallest amount of drop(1.25"). I'm running 17x7 rims with 215-40-17 tires and I'm very pleased with the ride now..............I was thinking of selling the car because I couldn't stand the ride.

I found out the free length is over an inch longer in the front........it's the same in the rear.
The spring rate seems to be only slightly lighter in both cases. I'd guess it'll actually raise the front, if the springs even fit.

A lower-rate spring would have to be longer in order to have the same ride height. The echo springs might be just the ticket for the front end!

I'm an old guy and didn't want to lower my car either, but I decided to go with the recomendations of the people on this site and try the Spy springs. Believe it or not, they are softer, and I chose the smallest amount of drop(1.25"). I'm running 17x7 rims with 215-40-17 tires and I'm very pleased with the ride now..............I was thinking of selling the car because I couldn't stand the ride.

I suppose that you could fab a spacer to restore the ride to its original height. the only danger would be coil bind, but I doubt that this would happen before the bump stop.

Now, if they would just make some rally struts and springs with a 2" lift! :)

George

A friend of mine said he saw a lifted xB with offroad tires! I told him to get a pic!

After you have considered and tested these options, the next step would be to look into underbody chassis braces...

Exactly how does an underbody chassis brace soften the ride?


It woudlnt soften the ride but it would stiffen the chassis. This in turn would hekp smoothen out the ride.

It woudlnt soften the ride but it would stiffen the chassis. This in turn would hekp smoothen out the ride.

I doubt that......I've heard of people taking off their strut tower braces and claiming it improved the ride. The stock springs are too linear a spring.........it's as stiff in the first inch as it is in the last inch. Going with an aftermarket spring that is a progressive is a better choice for softening the ride. IMHO.

I got Tein Coilover, so far I like the ride. Though it will stop the BOUNCE, you'll feel more stiffness so I guess you have to sacrafice something. I know Scions are lightweight so it's more difficult to adjust a proper spring rate. If you want to change the ride to much more comfy ride, you should also consider weight of your family members, if you get too soft and ride with 4 people, you may have a problem with your car's height and also decreases your efficiency of shocks. I'd suggest you should consider how much LOAD you'll have on an average, if you tend to drive by your self, you could get a softer springs, if not, you'll have to deal with a bit of stiffness.

I have SPY 2" and the ride is better. These things have a stiff ride because 1. They are small cars with little tires. You want a smoother ride then go to a different car that is larger with bigger tires. Or air bag it and it will be really smooth. Any car with this type of wheel base is going to feel more. Stay with a larger sidewall tire and that will help. I have owned 12 cars all with different tires/wheels/suspension including lifted, lowered, and bagged and this is what I found to be true.

The reason the scion bounces so much is because of the short wheel base. Take a ride in Jeep Wrangler and you ll understand what i mean.

Dont know who told you about removing the chassis bracing and that improving the ride. Thats just comedy.

I read it here on this site.

Switch the 15 inch wheels for 14s (like from an Echo) and run 185R14 tires. The higher profile tires will give a softer ride.

George <--also in search of a comfier ride

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What would you think of keeping the stock 15" wheels and getting a tire with a higher sidewall? Would it rub against the car? For looks the 15s would be better ,but I would also like a smooth ride. What size would I get if I did this?

I'm telling you guys that the side wall high of the tires will NOT soften the ride any noticable amount! I found the only way is to swap the springs for some progressive and SOFTER springs.

Switch the 15 inch wheels for 14s (like from an Echo) and run 185R14 tires. The higher profile tires will give a softer ride.

George <--also in search of a comfier ride

What would you think of keeping the stock 15" wheels and getting a tire with a higher sidewall? Would it rub against the car? For looks the 15s would be better ,but I would also like a smooth ride. What size would I get if I did this?

Well, those wheelwells are pretty tight. I wouldn't want to go more than two inches larger in diameter. The main problem is tire availability. The 185R14 size is available and is 1.9 inches larger in diameter than the stock 185/65R14 size.

I'm telling you guys that the side wall high of the tires will NOT soften the ride any noticable amount! I found the only way is to swap the springs for some progressive and SOFTER springs.

Well, I have experienced a rougher ride when going the other way, so it is logical that a larger section (80 series instead of 60 series) would result in a smoother ride. You can also run lower pressures with the larger section tire, which is the main reason that you get the smoother ride. Tire dealers have charts that show pressure versus working load for different sizes of tires. I haven't found this data on the web, though.

I do agree that softer springs are the ticket, but they aren't readily available unless you want to lower the car. That isn't an option for me.

George

Switch the 15 inch wheels for 14s (like from an Echo) and run 185R14 tires. The higher profile tires will give a softer ride.

George <--also in search of a comfier ride

What would you think of keeping the stock 15" wheels and getting a tire with a higher sidewall? Would it rub against the car? For looks the 15s would be better ,but I would also like a smooth ride. What size would I get if I did this?

Well, those wheelwells are pretty tight. I wouldn't want to go more than two inches larger in diameter. The main problem is tire availability. The 185R14 size is available and is 1.9 inches larger in diameter than the stock 185/65R14 size.

Well, I have experienced a rougher ride when going the other way, so it is logical that a larger section (80 series instead of 60 series) would result in a smoother ride. You can also run lower pressures with the larger section tire, which is the main reason that you get the smoother ride. Tire dealers have charts that show pressure versus working load for different sizes of tires. I haven't found this data on the web, though.


George

I agree with you George about sidewall height. Whenever I read reviews, they almost always say the larger diameter ( which usually means lower sidewalls) give a harsher ride than the stock smaller diameter tires.
I think you did a typo on the stock tires George.

well guys, I drove home on the stock tires, then I put on my 17's that I already had in my garage waiting for the car..........I felt NO DIFFERENCE in the ride AT ALL. The 17's have 215-40's on them. So that's why I'm saying it won't make a difference.
I think it would be a foolish to run any other tire pressure other then what the manufacturer of the cars indicate, I called the maker of my new "low Pro" tires to ask what they recomended for a pressure to run on a Scion......they said to run what the owners manual says.......that Scion(Toyota) determines the pressure needed.....even though the tire says to run another pressure.

I'm not making this ____ up..I'm just trying to pass on what I've expereinced to help others.

Like I said before, I was ready to get rid of my xB because I hated the ride so much...until I listened to other owners and tried what they said would work......whaich was Spy 1.25" springs.

You can decide on your own.

well guys, I drove home on the stock tires, then I put on my 17's that I already had in my garage waiting for the car..........I felt NO DIFFERENCE in the ride AT ALL. The 17's have 215-40's on them. So that's why I'm saying it won't make a difference.
I think it would be a foolish to run any other tire pressure other then what the manufacturer of the cars indicate, I called the maker of my new "low Pro" tires to ask what they recomended for a pressure to run on a Scion......they said to run what the owners manual says.......that Scion(Toyota) determines the pressure needed.....even though the tire says to run another pressure.

I'm not making this ____ up..I'm just trying to pass on what I've expereinced to help others.

Like I said before, I was ready to get rid of my xB because I hated the ride so much...until I listened to other owners and tried what they said would work......whaich was Spy 1.25" springs.

You can decide on your own.

Thats too bad. I would hate to lower it and have it scraping in places such as our steep cabin driveway and on speed bumps. Hoping some other way is found. I will be in LA for a test drive January 5th and possibly purchase shortly afterwards.
I hope I won't be too disappointed in the ride.

I think you did a typo on the stock tires George.

That I did. Two typos in one, actually! Stock size is 185/60R15 for the xB, 185/65R15 for the bB

I think you did a typo on the stock tires George.

That I did. Two typos in one, actually! Stock size is 185/60R15 for the xB, 185/65R15 for the bB

Glad it was a typo George. I thought I was totally confused! :)

Hey does this mean the bB has higher sidewalls on its stock tires? That means I could go with the higher side wall and not have a problem. Or is the bB that different?
Another question...... According to Car and Driver, the xB has better stability than the xA partly because of its stiffer rear springs. Now i wonder if the xA rear springs would fit on the bB. Handling would suffer, I guess, but it should be smoother.

If you need any more info or are in the LA area your welcome to stop by the shop and drve the car. I ll make a believer out of you ;)

where are you?

act like ya got a pair and enjoy the stiff suspension!!!!!


=)



lowering the tire pressure can probably get you want you want. try as low as 27 or so. on a car this light it should be ok