I’m planning on buying a Scion XB shortly for use as a locksmith service van.

Total payload will be between 600 and 700 lbs.

I’m tall and want to preserve (or even slightly raise) the stock ride height at the rear so I can stand and work under the liftgate.

I expect the load to depress the springs about 1 ½ to 2 inches.

Do you know of a product or spring that will raise the height?

Thanks

Lew Hosier

 

Perhaps the cheapest way would be a bit taller tires in the rear (not wider, just taller).

 

It requires a slight suspension modification.

 

I don't see any reason not to use rubber block spring spacers such as are intented to aid sagging oldeer springs.

Do these stay put? Your extra load in the rear otherwise requires some sort of custom made, high rate non-lowering spring.
hmmm...
The old Monroe Load Leveler shocks... are these still made?

 

^^ a little extreme perhaps,

but i was thinking airbags so not far off. There was discussion in the past about using ECHO suspension stuff but I don't know if it would work or not. It's just not something that many people are looking to do.

 

go to auto/truck stores. look for spring helper. I don't know if it'll work, but theres those rubber thingy you put in between coils, or the clamp/bolt that is installed in reverse ]--[ to prevent springs from bottoming.

 

I have seen an xb used for a locksmith vehicle before and i know exactly what you plan on putting back there. The guy wa sitting on stock springs with stiffer shocks in the back and he was still about 3 to 4 inches lower than stock. I dont think he had high quality shocks put on. My suggestion is to get a tein coilover system that is adjustable i think to about 4 inches on ride height and they have i beleive 15way adjustable dampners. the basic kit runs for about 799 on ebay and takes about 2 to 3 hours to install yourself. If you got that kit and left the coils raised up to stock height and turn the dampners all the way to stiff i dont think you will be able to get any better outcome with any other suspension.

 

what about trying to get the hatch to open higher?

 

I feel your pain,I have the same problem with mine,But with a vehicle that only has a payload of 825 lbs. I think you are asking for trouble in the long run with a daily load of 600 or 700 lbs.And if it is like most vehicles it will void the warranty using it for commercial use (I could be wrong).
What I plan on doing if having a set of springs made (Fallway springs) not to far from me. That is if they do coils I know they do great work on leaf springs.
I use mine for work but not loaded all the time(Electrian) But I do get some strange looks with pipe hanging out the back with the hatch open.


Good luck,Scott

 

 

For the rear--one idea would be to go to a machine shop and have them cut the rear hub mounting plates off the axle beam and then weld them onto the bottom side of it. Quick 4" or so inches of lift. Stock suspension. That seems like it would work for the back--don't know what to do about the front.

Maybe some longer coilovers for a different application... the front is a lot more tricky and I haven't seen an xB with it's front at full extension--just thinking about the driveshaft angles makes me go cross-eyed.

I'm thinking about this like how the samurai's used to get cheap, easy lifts--just moving the springs from below the axles to above the axles...

 

Those are a serious no-no on 4x4 trucks. I couldn't imagine what would happen if one of those popped out of the spring in an xB loaded with 800 lbs of stuff in the back...

 

Try the little rubber blocks first. I've used those for a similar application and they worked fine. Plan on replacing them about every year (not really an expensive proposition really) since the rubber will wear.

Otherwise, look into air bags or air shocks for the rear only. Your front won't be affected much with all the weight over the rear axle like you have planned. This will likely be a custom application, but that won't be unheard of for a trailer/hitch store to take care of.

If you need further help, drop me a line.

-Alex

 

I know a guy here in Omaha who has 6 10s (im pretty sure thats the specs) in his xB and it really weighed it down since it was all custom and covered his whole back end including taking out the rear seats. To fit his 20s, he bought Ford Mustang springs and put those in there. It raised it up in the back and looks pretty good. Dont know if I would do that for a daily driver (its a show car) but thats one option.

Scott

 

heres one thats in orlando that is on bags

 

air shocks for the rear

 

I just located a specialty spring manufacturer http://www.cannonracecraft.com/ that can make a new spring for the scion with a spring rate to match the load carried.

Thank you all for your advice.
I think this settles the issue for me and I'm ordering my new XB asap.

Lew Hosier

 

congrats on a decison! post pix etc. details when you're done: im curious to your total setup