My 03 Echo came w/ 15" factory steel-wheels and I managed to fit some 18" rims ( 235/35/18 ) I think is the size. I am in Iraq atm and cant check to be 100% sure on this however

Amazingly the car has no issue w/ rubbing from turning since I removed the inner plastic. Even after I added my R34 body kit I had the side-skirts cut and it is still w/o issue.

My problem comes when I have a full car-load it scrubs the interior fenders when we go over dips at high speeds. I want to get a lowering kit that comes w/ tighter springs in hopes that it will limit the travel of the suspension to prevent me from killing my tires. Problem is, it lowers the car a further 1.2 inches lol.

So, do I need to cut my fenders a bit to save my toyos? or is there a chance this suspension set-up will help fix my problem? Not going anything less than 18" rims either.

Yea I realise that you guys drive Scions and I push an Echo, but where else do I turn for answers?

 

Wow... not sure what to say. Perhaps raising up the car? I'm fully down on my Tein's and I rub in the rear on stocks with 5 passengers. If you get stiffer springs then the car is going to ride extra harsh when not fully loaded.

Also, are the tires the right size? Maybe too big? Sounds like you'll need to do some major modification to stay with your current setup. Could involve cutting of fenders, moving parts around, and some welding. Not sure. Total "custom" area there.

 

The new tires/rims are definitely wider than stock. I'm convinced that the rubbing is coming from the inside of the wheel-well when the shocks compress and make the inner tire rub the inside arc. Perhaps removing/bending this area would help.

A stiff ride wouldn't bother me either. I just want to stop the rubbing altogether.

I might have to cut the wells if I can't find springs w/ a really stiff rate.

 

i'd get 215/35/18's and you could also get some stiffer suspension. or raise your car.


for stiffy get ksports.

 

Why do you refuse to go less tna 18" for your wheels? Your problem is that you Plus 3 sized your wheels from the factory, and the car was not designed to handle wheels that big.

 

I agree with Darren. Step one should be a set of 215/35/18s. Thes will work without issue on up to an 8.5" wide wheel. However you are wanting to get low. If your wheels are wider than 7.5" with an offset less than +40 on the Echo platform that may be why you are seeing so many problems.

Confirm your wheel width and offset, as well as your tire size. You need to start there. Once you get that worked out, you need to get your suspension right. If you can turn your wheels with a specific drop, then the clearancing shouldn't be an issue. It may require a little cutting and welding, or a lot of banging... but it can be done.

 

W/ a wheelbase of 23" I'm feeling the burn. The car is in the shop while I am in Iraq and my "body-guy" says a little cutting, mb some banging etc will fix it. When I'm done w/ this car it's going to have a horrible resale value lol ... oh well

I considered raising the car a bit but then my body kit will have to be taller to compensate the new height.

There will be some wheel-well modifications. Thanks for the input everyone

much love to the Scionlifers