First off let me start by saying I've searched and read COUNTLESS of threads but of course everyone has a different combination in regards to wheel, tire sizes and suspension so I'm sure someone (trent points to CIONIDE) will hopefully have an answer:



Picking up my '12 Army Rock TOMORROW and wouldlike to run a setup by everyone:

OPTION 1:


xxr 522 (chromium black of course!)
17x8 +35 215 45 17
drop on df210 all around

OPTION 2:

XXr 522 in a 16" to retain stock tires (for now) and later replace tires with ???. Drop on df210's.


Now,before the end of the year, the plan so far is to ditch the DF's for airbags. I'm not going with bags right off because it's going to be a family car still and i'm concerned about comfort (have more research to do). The attraction is being able to adjust height quickly (wife running to the grocery store, dirt parking lot on a road trip, etc..).



Anyway,back on topic... what do you think of my proposed setup? I don't want to have to roll or pull fenders now or later or ever if I decide to go with air and I don't want that "stretched" tire look as I'm sure it eats tires quick and rides like crap (I know to each his own). I don't want to go bigger than 17's because I don't want to be spending a fortune everytime it's tire replacement time. Been there, done that with subaru's.



Thanks for your time and can't wait to pick up the new ride tomorrow! This thing seems to be made to modify!

-- Code3Xb (formerly SR-71WRX on Nasioc)

EDIT: Forgot to mention I'm not stuck on that tire size. The more sidewall, the better. I want to keep some comfort if possible!

 

Stretched tires don't eat tires, nor do they ride poorly. Well, in my circumstance.

Seems like everything will fit fine, even with air.
Look at Scionpro's kit from Airlift. Should get you where you need to be.

 

Thanks for the input on the stretched tires. I've never had them so it's only an assumption on my part. I had a friend back when the first gen XB came out who had a custom kit put together. It wasn't bouncy at all.

My main concerns are ride quality and dependability. If it's AS or MORE comfortable than stock, I'm sold. I've had and ridden in my fair share of lowered vehicles. I can't have my kids look like bobble heads in the back seat. More importantly has to be wife approcved!!!

Also, I don't want to lose pressure and be stuck. I'm not looking to be on the ground. Nothing too extreme. Do they have adjustable bump stops when you air down or are your tires pressed up against the fender wells your bumpstops? If the latter, then air is out for me.

 

A little background: The most suspension mods I've done MYSELF are swaybars, springs and Koni yellow inserts on my '03 WRX. I also changed out the brake lines for stainless. Biggest wheels I've owned were 18's. Not interested in "poke," rolling and pulling fenders, although I do appreciate the look!

Wish Koni made an insert for our struts as hacking up the stockers wasn't too bad just time consuming (3hrs).

 

I haven't ridden in any 2nd gen xBs with air, but the Airlift fronts have adjustable dampening. If it didn't ride well, I doubt Airlift would produce the kit. I'd assume they'd go back to the engineering drawing board. The rear shocks act as bumpstops, so you don't have to really worry about hitting a fender. If you want to add bumpstops, they make universal shock bumpstops that offroaders use.
I've installed around something like 6 sets of DF210s and haven't heard a single complaint. They'll make the ride a little stiffer, but still really nice.
If it's not wife approved, ditch the wife.

 

That should work fine on DF springs, which are known to offer the most comfortable ride for the amount of drop they provide. That tire & wheel set-up will also work fine when you go to air.

 

Good to hear! I figure I could always run a spacer in the rear if I wanted later on. ??

 

Well picked the car up last week and love it. Now just need to sell the sportbike to go wheels and air all at once! Can't stand these 16" hubcaps!!!!

 

So fast forward to today and found some used 522's with 225/45/17 tires.

Went with air for about a year and now have DF's on the car.

Going to look at the wheels/tires today. You guys think that setup will work with the DF's? Hopefully I can get a quick response. Don't want to make the 1 hour drive for nothing!

 

I'm now running very-unstretched 235/45/17s on 17x8.0+35 wheels on TRD springs and, while I'll probably even add 5/16"-1/2" spacers on the back yet for balanced stance, nothing rubs despite crappy Mempho roads and my spirited driving...

 

It's relative to the offset and width of the wheel. Fortunately I don't know XXR specs...

 

Offset is +35.