Lowering Springs....Whats up with cheap springs on ebay?

RAAB3485 · Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Fort Collins, CO

I've had my tC for a couple of months now, haven't done anything major to it yet, but lowering it a bit is definitely on my list. I plan on going with the TRD springs, as i don't want to slam it on the ground, just want a subtle difference (especially because I don't want to turn my tC into a snow plow for this winter) and out of boredom was looking on ebay and you can get some lowering springs for the tC at outrageously low prices.
For example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-06-07-SCION-TC-JDM-LOWERING-SPRING-SPRINGS-JAPAN_W0QQitemZ380051574157QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item380051574157&_trkparms=39%3A1|65%3A1&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245.l1318

What is the deal with these kinds of really cheap springs? I can't imagine the quality is very good. Has anybody on here had any experience with something like this? Or a bad experience?

808tC · Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 584

the springs are cheap becuse no R&D has been put into it. your right about the quality as it might not be good, resulting in sag, etc. also im not sure if these come with warranty so if your springs rust and break like the hotchkis then your SOL.

few people have them here on the forums and praised them as they are cheap and get the job done in making your car lower.

Ro_Ja · Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 2188 Location: Camarillo

Modified Mag [Sept '08] - Letters of the Month "No Good Knockoffs" wrote: I wanted to say that what Armin had to say about the knockoffs in the Feedback section [July '08] is dead on. I've been in this scene for quite some time and I spent a good three years building my first Civic. With parts being so cheap, kids think they can build their dream cars in a matter of months. What they don't realize is that the crappy parts they are using result in crappy performance. How many cars that have these knockoff parts are at the track running neck and neck with the top cars? Not many. If you want to have a well-running and safe automobile, then use the proper parts.
-Ted Rotan

You said it, Ted! These days it seems so easy to build cars because of the vast availability of parts. However, what a lot of novice builders don't realize is that the cost of building a car the right way is still very expensive. So they cut corners here and there hoping that everything will come together, but most of the time, guess what? It doesn't, and then more money is spent fixing issues when it could have been used to buy the right parts in the first place. We realize not everyone can afford the expensive parts, but the need to have everything right away needs to stop. Plan a build, and if it takes you years to get it done, there's nothing wrong with that-the reward will be even greater.

Chrisb319 · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 704

808tC wrote: the springs are cheap becuse no R&D has been put into it. your right about the quality as it might not be good, resulting in sag, etc. also im not sure if these come with warranty so if your springs rust and break like the hotchkis then your SOL.

few people have them here on the forums and praised them as they are cheap and get the job done in making your car lower.

Out of all the cases of rusted Hotchkis springs that we've heard about Hotchkis has made good on replacing them. This Ebay vendor will not.

RAAB3485 · Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Fort Collins, CO

That is all more or less what I was figuring. Like I said I'll be going with the TRD springs so I shouldn't have to worry too much.

I'm still new to this scene so thanks for answering my question, came from driving a lifted Jeep to this, big changes.

808tC · Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 584

haha welcome to scionlife. id definately research more into which springs youd wanna get. lately ive heard a couple of people switching from TRD to something that gives a much lower drop. id check out some pictures of people lowered and seeing which one you like best.

Chrisb319 · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 704

Allot of people end up buying 18's to close the gap with the TRD's. Cousin of mine is dropped on TRD's and it looks real good with his 18' on.

RAAB3485 · Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Fort Collins, CO

Chrisb319 wrote: Allot of people end up buying 18's to close the gap with the TRD's. Cousin of mine is dropped on TRD's and it looks real good with his 18' on.
Thats actually my ultimate plan. TRD springs with TRD 5 spoke 18s.

Chrisb319 · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 704

RAAB3485 wrote: Chrisb319 wrote: Allot of people end up buying 18's to close the gap with the TRD's. Cousin of mine is dropped on TRD's and it looks real good with his 18' on.
Thats actually my ultimate plan. TRD springs with TRD 5 spoke 18s.

lol, what a coincidence my cousin freedom one actually has that setup almost same color.

his car

rest of em'
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=224380&highlight=empty+industrial

RAAB3485 · Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Fort Collins, CO

Chrisb319 wrote: RAAB3485 wrote: Chrisb319 wrote: Allot of people end up buying 18's to close the gap with the TRD's. Cousin of mine is dropped on TRD's and it looks real good with his 18' on.
Thats actually my ultimate plan. TRD springs with TRD 5 spoke 18s.

lol, what a coincidence my cousin freedom one actually has that setup almost same color.

his car

rest of em'
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=224380&highlight=empty+industrial

What is even more of a coincidence is the fact that I saw these pics posted on here a couple of months ago and they completely settled it for me as I love the way it looks and I had already been considering this combo. :clap:

etoomey3 · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 146

I got those ebay springs for free from a kid who sold his car, the drop was uneven as hell, and the ride was too soft, don't waste your money, buy something w/some R&D and a quality name