http://www.kylenewton.com/scionxb/

Here is my ride and I want to get springs and sway bars. I was originally looking at TRD springs and the rear sway bar but I am now considering other options.

Is there much difference between the TRD RSB + stock FSB and the Hotchkis FSB +RSB?

As for springs: I have 20x8.5 +40 wheels with 225/35/20 tires and I want to minimize the fender gap without rubbing. I regularly scuba dive which means I schlep heavy gear in the back (equivalent to 4 adults in the car) so my question is do you think I can safely go lower than the 1.5" TRD spring drop in the rear?

thanks for your opinions

Kyle

 

1. Since you're on 20s, you can't really feel the acceleration and cornering gains between the two brands of sway bar packages. If you had smaller wheels, I'd suggest going to the Hotchkis setup. The difference between the two is that the ride is definitely firmer with the Hotchkis (i.e., better cornering than just the TRD rear sway bar). The front and rear sway bars perform better than the stock xB bar and TRD rear sway as they are lighter and stiffer.

2. Also since you're on 20s, I'd recommend (if you're going to stick with springs) sticking with a mild drop. The TRD springs are pretty nice, but if you want a better ride, go with the Tanabe NF210s. These are really comfortable springs and help even out the ride height as well as eliminate gap (1.2"F/1.7"R).

I'm suggesting the NF210s or TRD Springs as you're carrying heavy gear plus you're on big wheels. You'll want to have as much ride comfort as possible. I'm currently on 18s and used to rock Eibach Sportlines and that was jarring. Ever since I switched to NF210s, I've been extremely satisfied with the ride quality.

Oh, and the raise in ride height was marginal. The front went up by a finger and the rear went up by two fingers. The drop still looks great plus I'm hardly scraping as much as I used to!

 

thanks pyroman -- I am now looking into the NF210s. But I also realized that my dive gear isn't really that heavy so I was thinking I could be a bit more aggressive on the drop. Do you think the DF210s will be too much given my 20s and offset?? I don't want to roll my fenders if I can avoid it. thanks!

 

if your not wanting to roll fenders, stay clear of the df210s. i had to roll fenders just in the front and cut out some of the plastic inner fender but i dont rub unless i hit a huge bump. tell you the true i wish it was a lot lower but i am not going with a smaller wheel

 

^^x2

20x8.5 +40 with 225/35-20 tires will definitely rub on DF springs.

 

thanks guys, I figured DF210s were out of the question. But I gotta admit that your whip looks great dragit. hmmmm

 

Again, since you're going to be on 20s, you'll want to salvage as much ride comfort as possible. Go with the NF210s. You won't scrape as much and you'll still have a very clean drop. Plus, the ride comfort is so much better than a deeper drop.

I should've went with NF210s when I first dropped my car, and CIONIDE even told me to go with them. But I didn't listen and now I understand.

It's like a teenager not listening to their parents, and when they get older, they understand why the discipline was tough. Err, not to say that CIONIDE is old, but ah, you get the picture!

 

yeah yeah I hear ya dad ;) I am glad that I waited to make sure of what I really want before making a decision. I guess wisdom does come with age. lol

 

Yup, one foot in the grave, one foot out.

You're learning young grasshopper.

 

 

I tell you what I'm 24 and I have back problems, and switching to the NF210s really helped with ride comfort compared to my old Sportlines.