oh yeah I know theres other good brands out there, but when I find something I like I'm pretty loyal lol.

It's such a weird little car. It's not quite a compact but not quite an SUV and not really a crossover either.

 

Just got off the phone with the technical guy (Ray) at Tokico, awesome guy! Very knowledgable about lowering cars and making them handle. I think the combo of Eibach and Tokico should work well. He did caution me about lowering too much because the suspension components are almost vertical. On the xD, every bit you lower it, you lose suspension travel, in other words, if you had four inches of travel to begin with, and you lower it two, that leaves only two to take care of the bumps. He also said the HP shocks and struts would work well with the stock springs should I chose to go that way.

Yes Monkey, it is a wierd little car, and that's why we like it! LOL!!

 

Ok, it's done, bought the Sportline spring set, and Tokico struts, shocks, all from Ebay, had issues with the seller that had it all as a kit, wrong part numbers for the shocks in the kit. Paid $330.00 USD for the shocks and struts, $215.00 for the Sportlines, not too far off from the kit price, and competitive with other pricing I found on a Google search. Now all is left is waiting on parts and the install. Thanks for the opinions and help!

T.

 

cut the bump stops in the front for more suspension travel. the springs should come with bump stops included. if not, cut your oem ones in half.

 

^this. i had to do exactly that with stechs.

 

I'm sure they will come with what is needed for the install, Eibach seems like they put out a complete product. I'm looking forward to getting this done, I have been wanting to do some work on it since I bought it, now, at last it's starting! Except for a drop in K&N filter and 205/55 R 16 tires, "Little Fridge" is bone stock.

T.

 

Odinkinder - Were you able to get your parts installed yet? I still have not been able to get my car yet. Now I'm starting to second guess myself by not replacing the front struts. Not sure if I will do it or not but since everything will be apart for the spring install it seems like the time to do it.

 

Hey Andy, Odin was my Dad, you can just call me "T."

No, I don't have my parts yet, the shocks and struts arrive on Monday, the springs were shipped straight from Eibach, they will come on Wednesday, I'm figuring on a Thursday install if all goes to plan. My logic behind replacing all four corners, springs and dampers, was because I have just a tic over 41,000 miles on the car. The back left shock was leaking oil, so it was gone, and I was assuming the others were not far behind. I thought starting fresh was best, that way I know I'm getting the best match for the springs out of the gate, no wondering if a crappy ride was due to worn dampers, or overly stiff springs.

Here is the vendor I bought the struts and shocks from. http://stores.ebay.com/kurumamotoring If you will wait till Monday, I'll let you know how my items came in. They shipped same day as my order, and quick on email response. I got my springs from another vendor, Discount Tire, wish I had not, they suck, there's no mention it takes three days to process your items, well, at least it's not apparent, it's in fine print. If I had it all to do over I would have bought the whole package from Kuruma. There was a discrepancy with part numbers in the kit, a typo, since corrected, that's why the didn't get all my business.

T.

 

The shocks and struts just arrived, correct, and well packed, now all I have to do is wait on the springs.

T.

 

T - Good news I hope you get your springs soon!

 

Ya it is Andrew, looking forward to getting it done! The springs should arrive Wednesday, I still have to make sure I have all my tools, and arrange for a spring compressor,I'll do that tomorrow.

T.

 

Update: Got the springs today, BTW... they did come with bump stops. And I "rented" a spring compressor from Auto Zone. Also bought an extra jack, and jack stands, looks like I'm set for tomorrow. Only thing left to figure out is if to remove the piece over the struts, or cut down a 6mm allen wrench, opinions on this? Is the plastic bits that hard to remove? It looks like it would be easier getting to the strut nuts that way.

T.

 

you can use a tool like this to take that top bolt out.


http://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Deck...SW100/12520389

Make sure to get the correct size for the bolt.

 

Ah, yes... the old "dog bone," I have the deep box ends, they will do the same job, I am more concerned with the allen wrench fitting in. In the TRD instructions it shows a more open access, and it seems I remember seeing a forum post somewhere where the cowl behind the hood was removed. Guess I'll be figuring that out in a few minutes! LOL!!

T.

 

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=185726

 

Update: Went with removing the cowl, not too bad, the hard part was getting the wipers off, had to WD 40 them, they were stuck, don't know why, they had only been in place for four years! LOL!! Removal went just like in the link, thanks Ram!

T.

 

Ok, now I think I am in trouble! Working on the front left, following instructions for TRD spring replacement. Had trouble getting strut out, I did have the lower arms supported, but, for whatever reason, the hub is pointing to the left, can not force it back straight, and yes, the wheels were straight at the start. So what is going on??

T.

 

And I iz a dumbazz.... should have had both sides in the air, not just one, caused all sort of problems, got one side done, and tomorrow is another day, the right side should go smoother. In my defense, there was no mention of raising both sides of the front, and if memory serves, not in any forum post on the subject either. I didn't figure this out on my own, "Dave" at Eibach technical help suggested that the issue I was have was because I only had one side up. Like I said, those guys are great at Eibach, love the support!

T.

 

Ok, got it done! xD sits nice, slight forward rake, wheels fit the arch fenders beautifully, so far, it's all looking good. Gotta take the spring compressor back to Auto Zone, I guess that will be my first test drive, first impression after I get back....

T.

BTW... pics to follow just as soon as I figure out how to post them.

 

Congrats T. I can't wait for your impressions and pics!