I'd like to smooth out the ride on my Box, but I'm not sure if that means getting different shocks, struts, springs, or what...

I don't want to feel every bump in the road anymore. It was fun at first, but now it's tiring.

What do I need to get?

 

Shocks and struts will help the most.

 

Smaller rims also help. I notice a huge increase in ride harshness going from the stock 15" to 17" rims. If you still want a custom look, try the 15" Sportmax, or the chrome trim ring and center cap for the stock steel rims.

 

The rear shocks are a major culprit in the harsh choppy ride ( so everyone says...I put on Air bags early on so I can not vouch for this 100%). I have seen many posts suggesting Monroe shocks for the rear to fix this. Harshness of ride due to wheel diameter is also an issue 18's ride stiffer than 17's ride stiffer than 16's etc, due to the decreased sidewall height of the larger wheel and tire combinations. I personally find the ride on 17's not particularly stiff, 18's with the recommended 215/35/18 tire size I found to be very rough altho with the 215/40/18 slightly oversized tires I have on my 18's the ride is a bit stiff but not all that bad.....a bit firmer than 17's with the stock 45 series 17 inch tire , but closer to the 17 than the factory 18 in ride.

 

Ted, did you notice much more mpg difference and speedo difference going up to the 40's on your 18"s? I have 35's on my 18"s now, and wanted to bump up to 40's for a bit more sidewall.

 

Very true! I took the 18" TRDs off and I'm gonna buy the Axis Oldskools cause the 18s are very rough, especially out here in Chicago...

 

Without changing the OEM wheels and tires:
Rear shocks can be easily replaced with the Monroe Sence-a-track shock for the Echo. That helps a lot. Also read the Do-it-yourself 'Energy supression sway bar end link replacement' that is on page 7 of this thread:
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...651&highlight=
This will help in the front. Easy to do, cost is about $18. Shocks are about $30 each and the exact Monroe # is in that thread as well.

 

Your actual mileage should not change a significant amount. Your speedo will read 3-4% slow and you will record 3-4% less miles than are actually driven (the 40's are between 3 and 4% larger diameter than the 35 series). You must take the diameter difference from stock into account to get accurate mileage calculations.

 

what others said low budget easy fix Monroe's in the rear