Okay now. My xB has stock suspension and wheels. It's time to start planning for a better stance and ride. My plan is to drop the car by about 1.7"-2", throw on some 17" rims (not sure what I'm looking at, don't understand the sizing that much), upgrade the shocks (should I consider coil covers or what?), and increase the roll stiffness.

Once I have everything, I will have it all installed at once. I'm not very good mechanically, but computers wise I'm a wiz. Now then, I don't think I want to worry about a negative camber or rolling the fenders. I just want to go with something good and functional for my first dropped car/wagon. So, let's take a look at what I'm thinking here.

Coils:
I'm thinking GoldLine on these with a 2" drop all around. From what I've seen it will bring the wheel gap in very well. What is the benefit for using coil covers? I really don't understand what or how they work. Do coil covers increase dampening strength or just adjust the height or both?

Rims/Tires:
As stated I want to look at some good 17" rims, but not sure what I need in the way of offset or width to be safe from rubbing. The tires I want to run are 215/45/R17. This gives a decent sidewall so it doesn't feel like I'm riding on steel. I'd like some recommendations on the tire size though, why would I want a smaller wall or larger wall. For the most part, if you run 17" rims, what tire sizes are you using? And, what's the best tire size to keep from changing the speedo, or how far off will I be?

Shocks:
I don't know anything about shocks. I mean, I know they need to be there and they add dampening and all, but what makes one shock better than another? Recommendations when running a 2" drop would be great. I don't need them to match so if you know of a front/rear cross combination set, perfect.

Bracing:
For the stiffness, I'm going to add a front and rear sway bar as well as a shock strut bar. Will more than likely go Hotchkis but other recomendations are welcome. As for the strut tower bar, recommendations welcome as I'm not fond of the $140+ pricetag on some that I've seen. Would like to know an effective low cost bar that would look decent in the engine bay.

Down the road:
I'm not looking to bag the xB, I really don't like the cost of slamming... but it looks so stellar nonetheless. Once I have a decent setup (entry level drop so to speak), what should I look into next?

Anyway, much appreciated. I hope I don't make anyone too mad as I don't know what I should search for. I did find a few things and liked the recommendations, but would like to see some feedback on my plan. Also, what should I look at spending for all this. I will have roughly $1500 max to spend on this.

 

Just to get you pointed in the right direction, coilovers themselves will cost at least half of what you have allocated. They are essentially a spring and shock together, and are adjustable to let you choose your ride height, and in some cases, dampening levels. If you go this route, you will not need new springs or shocks as that is what a coilover is.

If you get springs, you will not have to replace the shocks, although some have for a softer ride. Konis are popular as they are adjustable. Springs are roughly $150 for all four, depending on the brand. Konis are somewhere around $500 for all four.

 

Hey thanks Max! Coilcovers sound like they may be the route to take. However, I'm still going to keep the struts and springs in mind.

OMG! Bloomington IL! Dude, you have to hit up Tobins for me and some me some of that pizza. That stuff is candy on a cracker man. Next time I'm up that way I'll let you know... got a few friends in the area.

 

I just moved into town, and have not had Tobins yet. I'll try to find it.

 

I recommend Tanabe Df210s, i ride on these. They are one of the best performing springs out there for the xb, they handle great. (i autox) The drop is 2.2-2.3'' drop, for me it was anyway. Some get a little less, some get the same results depending on settling.

So let me recommend a few things with estimated prices, to help you out a little.

Tanabe Df210s - $200
Hotchkis front strut - $130
Shocks - You can keep the stock ones for a while, you have to cut a little off the bump stops for them to work with the df210 drop, its no big deal though. They will wear out faster (its a given) but some have seen close to 30,000 miles on them before needing replacement.
Hotchkis sways - $200 (forgot actual pricing)
Total so far $530.

$1,500
- 530
--------
$970

As for rims in that price range, most aren't going to be worth it. However, a few can. In that price range i personally love the ATS cups. They are fairly rare, especially on Scionlife and look great. They are 15's, i personally like the look of 15's and 16's but thats up to.

Is your motor stock?

 

I agree with KillerX on some points.

I would go with Tanabe DF210 springs as well, and probably wait on the new shocks and struts. Since you will only sink about $150 into the coils, you can have quite a bit to play with for a quality set of wheels and tires. What style are you looking for? Decide on a wheel design you like (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, spoke, etc.) and a color. Then post that up in the wheel and tire forum. You will get tons of recommendations based on your criteria.

And if you want 17s, I say go for it. If you get the right wheel you won't see much, if any performance difference between them and a smaller wheel. I would also go with a slightly smaller 215/40/17 tire so it closer matches the stock tire diameter.

If you still have some money left over I would look into the rear sway bar from Progress Tech for about $140. I have heard good things about it, and it should help the car become more neutral in cornering.

So with only about $300 in pretty good handling suspension, that leaves you with $1200 to get your wheels and tires and have everything installed.

 

I like my GoldLines. 2 inch drop looks good but isn't too low to have to worry all the time. I wouldn't recommend the Front sway bars. Most peeps have said they make the understeer worse as well as being a huge PITA to install. The Progress Rear Sway is a great addition. As for a Strut Tower Bar, I went with the Megan Racing one on eBay. Less than half of what those other STB prices quoted and looks and works just as well, IMO.

My wheels are 17 x 7 +40 offset (14 lbs each, BTW), with the OTG 10mm rear spacer shim it puts me at +30 and I run a 215/40 and never rub a tire on anything. Get something that looks good but keep an eye on the weight. The lighter the better...

 

Why'd ya start at five spokes? hehehe

 

you can even go before 4. get the 2 spoke (Garson Drug C) or even the no spoke look (Work Leadsleds) !!!

 

Engine is stock, but I've already got H/E/I in from delivery as well as a lightweight Perrin pully I'm eyeballing for under $100. I'm expecting about 15-20whp difference. I'm also going to get an engine dampener. The exhaust is the magnaflow cat-back and I will be using a DC Sports exhaust header. I've picked up an Injen short ram so I can improve on the lower end (which is probably going to go on this weekend if I can find the time). Overall, the mods I've got will give the engine some pep over the stock even if it is an automatic.

I did some checking on the coilcover setup and found it to be way too expensive for now. I think I'll throw on some lowering springs and expect to upgrade the shocks early. That will give me the look I want and add some extra dosh for the wheels. I think the 17x7 + 40 will work for what what I want. As for the tire design, I love the look of thin spoked 5 or 7 points on the xB.

Good tip on the front sway, should I still install the shock tower bar? I'd like to make the suspension stiff but the ride gentle. I know that improving the suspension I sacrifice ride quality... this is something I'm willing to deal with, but not to great extent.

Once the performance parts are installed, I'll start purchasing suspension components. I've already got a plan for looks but that will come last.

 

I have the front STB... Huge improvement in handling. I love it. I have the DC.

If you are installing the springs yourself, install the STB at the same time, they involve taking apart the same components, which for the STB really only involves removing three nuts from each shock tower.

 

i'm sorry, what is your main goal for the car? i understand you want to make it handle better, but is it for looks, spirited driving, or are you eventually planning to autocross this? the answer to this question will definately help answering your other questions. example, i know coilovers are a big chunk of your budget at this moment. since you aren't going to install this yourself, if you plan to eventually get them you might as well save up until you have enough, instead of paying someone twice for one job.

 

I'm wanting a cross between looks and spirited driving. I'm not going to take this in any autocross. I'm glad you asked btw, I may be able to save some money in this area.

 

Shock Tower Bar? Yeah, it must be. Thanks for the feedback on that. Since that one is so inexpensive by comparison, I'll proabably purchase one by the end of the month.

 

i think you should go with tanabe df's, progress rear bar, hotchkis or dcsport front strut bar(i think they are the same almost), gtspec front lower brace, and decent wheel tire combo. make sure your wheels are hubcentric or come with hubcentric rings. get something at least 7 inches wide. i personally love yokohama es100 tires, but just don't go cheap on tires because if your tires suck, the stiffest suspension won't be any use.

 

Springs: Tein 2" drop / Tanabe 2.2" drop
Tower Bar: DC Sports / Hotchkis
Shocks: Agressive: Koni adjustables / Passive: Monroes
Bracing: GT Spec Front brace / TRD Rear frame brace

Since you arent going autocrossing any time i agree with you getting the hotckis sway bar setup, but if you want to be a little more agressive in the corners and not loose that inner wheel power when coming out of the turn, just use the progress rear sway bar.

Sway bars: Agressive: Progress Rear and Hotchkis front passive: Hotchkis front and rear.

PLEASE!!! whatever you do DONT buy hotchkis springs, i have them and i HATE them with a passion, but for now, they will do the job just fine.

 

BTW, if you like the thin 5-spoke look, $99/ea for 15 lb, forged wheels is pretty cheap....
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...m/default.asp?

 

Oh hell yeah. I think install took a back seat to those rims. I'll worry about the tires later. Thanks for the find Jomo.

 

Hubcentric is the only way to go. I've seen/experienced why you shouldn't use lugcentric mounts. Question though, what will be the difference between 7" and 7.5"? Does this help with roll grip on tight corners?

Tires wise, don't worry, I'm set with those. Friend of mine I went to school with owns a tire shop and can give me mad discounts on Toyo and Yokohama. Stuff like 4 mounted/balanced for the price of 2 unmounted. He just can't give me much discount on the rims is all.

 

I've heard the horror stories of the hotchkis springs and their super bouncy feel. Not just on xBs but many other cars as well. No need to worry about this issue with even thinking that path.

For now it looks like I will be sticking with springs (for the drop), suspension bracing, and better rims/wheels. The nice thing, it looks like I will be able to get everything for under $900 installed (I work at Harley and know tons of mechanics). I may go with the progressive rear though, that thing looks like it could hold some torq.