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Purchased Plus Pkg Lowering Springs

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by The Critic, Mar 23, 2012.

  1. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Ladies and Gentleman, here are the unboxing pictures:


    So much for them being on a restricted availability, I have them!

    [​IMG]

    I was expecting a huge box, but I guess not:

    [​IMG]

    Kids, do not do what I did. This is definitely not the OSHA approved procedure for opening this box. :rolleyes:

    [​IMG]

    And here we are. Notice the new front nuts included.

    [​IMG]

    Instructions! I like that it does not say anything about the springs being incompatible with the stock 15" wheels. Oh and oops, I installed the Plus rear sway bar before the springs. :eek:

    [​IMG]

    Lastly, notice how the end of the instructions say nothing about needing to do an alignment after installation. I will still get one since I have the Firestone Lifetime Alignment Plan. However, I wonder if cars that are getting these springs installed at the port, are not being aligned after installation?

    [​IMG]

    That's all for now. Stay tuned for the installation and post-installation pictures.
     
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  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    *drools*
     
  3. SoCalBPrius

    SoCalBPrius Active Member

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    . Tell him how much better a set of coilovers would look and handle. Then to top it off tell him that the springs will cause his struts to wear out faster! *evil grin*[/QUOTE]
    Which are all true statements:D plus any lowering springs that are not Eibach's are fugly to me;).
     
  4. PlasticHead

    PlasticHead Junior Member

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    Those are awesome... So aside from the alignment what about camber adjustment front and rear?
     
  5. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    Again, I had my alignment checked after my NF 210 install, and camber was fine. There was a front toe-in issue that probably came from the factory.

    Critic, having the rear sway bar actually makes the spring install easier/quicker. Both rear spring saddles will pivot down together, so you can remove both old springs at once and put the new ones in at once.

    And at least you got instructions in English. The Tanabe instructions were in Japanese.
     
  6. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Is it safe to have both sides down at once? I believe the instructions say specifically to not remove both sides at once since it stresses the bushings.
     
  7. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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  8. MrBillTulsa

    MrBillTulsa Member

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    Michael,

    I’m excited about your TRD springs install over the stock 15’s. I think you will like the new coolness in your car’s appearance, and the added handling ability when pushed hard in the turns. I look forward to your report!

    Here is a pic of my 2012/ATP sitting on TRD Springs and Rear Anti-sway bar. This pic is not very descriptive because the car is not level, and it is sitting in tall grass. All I can tell you for now is that I love how mine looks and handles.

    I will post more pics when I can.

    Good luck with your install!

    MrBill

    :eek:

    '12Prius@PrettyWater3-24-12.jpg
     
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  9. MrBillTulsa

    MrBillTulsa Member

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    Hey Michael - one more thing about these TRD Springs.

    When I received my car as new, I did a quick check to just see white paint at all four corners, and to check for any spacers that may have been installed for shipping. There were no spacers, and all seemed to be in order for driving, including the rear ASB.

    What I did notice however, was that the rear springs appeared to be fully compressed in the top 2/3rds of the springs length where the coils are closest while unloaded. I was surprised to think that only about 1/3rd of the springs length is being used for compliance.

    Would you watch for that when you load your springs, and comment back to us?

    Thank you,

    Bill

    :eek:
     
  10. MD80

    MD80 New Member

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    Sweet! Just placed by order!
     
  11. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    This matches what I see in the box and the instructions.
     
  12. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Do you guys think the car will get higher mpg because it is sitting lower to the pavement?

    Mike
     
  13. MrBillTulsa

    MrBillTulsa Member

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    Do you guys think the car will get higher mpg because it is sitting lower to the pavement?

    Mike
    __________________
    2012 Blizzard Pearl Four Solar Plus Performance on order


    Hey Mike,

    My gut feeling is that a change in the coefficient of drag and (consequently) fuel efficiency due to a 1" to 1.5" lowering of the vehicle would be so small, as to be immeasurable, at least by us common folk. 1 or 2 thought processes have me leaning one way, and a couple of others argue the opposite. (How's that for being non-committal? – lol!)

    If I had to pick, I think I’d say that the Cd would increase slightly due to the fact that the moving surfaces are closer to the stationary surfaces. This is nit-picking however, and the difference would be very small, indeed.

    YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE YOUR CAR! I am sad with you that it is taking so long. Mine went a little quicker, but we jumped through some hoops to make it happen. First, I had Dianne Whitmire's expert help! She was able to snag a white '12/5 on it's way to Arizona, and put my name on it and receive it for me in Carson, CA. (that alone requires her expertise).

    Second, Dianne is SO familiar with the whole process from shipping across the Pacific, to all the way to customer delivery, that she is able to orchestrate requests and changes along the way. In my case, Dianne ordered that my car was to be modified at the port, to receive the PPP springs and the PPP rear aniti-sway bar. That work at port only added 2 or 3 days to the delivery date.

    I think I understand that the complete Plus Packages are added at port, as well (?). That being the case, I’d think it would only add a few days, or not more than a week for the mods.

    For me to buy through Dianne, I had to arrange to have my car shipped to Tulsa; you would have had the same burden. After weighing several options, I elected to hire an auto-transport service (also recommended by Dianne!); my car showed up in my driveway with 3 miles on the ODO!

    At any rate, I love my 1st Prius. Additions to my lowered ATP only include all-around tint (25% is legal in OK), and a set of forged 17’s (I’m leaning toward the Rays or the PPP’s). Beyond that, I can’t imagine needing anything more for a long, long time.

    Well, maybe some BassShakers in the front seats, lol!

    When’s your delivery date?

    MrBill

    :eek:
     
  14. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    So funny :)
    I don't have a date just yet but I was told to expect an answer this week. I tell you I am so freakin crazy waiting. It'll be well worth it in the end. I was told the same thing that the Plus Perf package is port installed. Your lucky to have tint laws that way. MN law says 50% but mine is gonna be 40% I drove my old RX-7 around with a measured 32% and only got stopped once.
    You got any side pics yet? Those springs make the car sit oh so freakin saweet [​IMG]

    Mike
     
  15. MrBillTulsa

    MrBillTulsa Member

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    I'll do those side pics soon - actually today and tonight (Tuesday) might work for that, depending on the weather (whether or not I get it done!).

    For my part, I was crazy waiting as well, and only those who have - can really know how it feels. I made my final decission to buy the trickest Prius I could find in the middle of last year. I then looked at several options at buying a 2011.

    Then, I got word of the 2012's and the mid-cycle refresh. Then, I had to wait to see and learn more about the '12's. Then, I saw and read every word about the '12 Liftbach. Then, I fell in love with the new look, and then, a 2011 would no longer work for me. Then, the 2012's would be comming late - Feb/12, or something.

    Bottom line about that is now, I am happy with every decission I have made. If I had bought a 2011, I wouldn't feel this elated about my new car - that is just me. I will now be very pleased, at least until the Generation IV's are anounced (2015?, 2016?).

    Maybe you could try lifting weights? Maybe some marithon training? I don't know - sleep a lot, maybe. Good things happen to people who wait, and the timing is perfect - springtime, with summer right around the corner.

    I'm happy for you!

    BTW, 25% tint in OK does not include the windshield. I'll probably leave the windshield stock.

    :eek:
     
  16. MrBillTulsa

    MrBillTulsa Member

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    Hey Mike, one more thing.

    I haven't even seen a picture of a 2012 Plus Package - I am anxious to see the front end on it (or if there are any changes to the aero kit from the 2011's).

    You WILL do some pics for us, right?

    :eek:
     
  17. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Sleep, I can't sleep for crap tonight :( I have found very few pics of the Plus package online. Kinda going on a gut feeling of how it will look. I'll for sure post pics of my car when it is sitting in my garage. 6-8 weeks from now :pout:

    Mike
     
  18. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    OK, they are in. Took 5 hrs to install, and just drove 70 miles home. By the end of the drive, I am guessing the springs settled a bit, as it was quite evident that the car was out of alignment. This is the only pic I have so far, more to come tomorrow:

    [ame]http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218/SodaJunkie/2012-03-28_01-21-51_69.jpg[/ame]

    Initial impressions? Much flatter on every turn. Shocks are still smooth, but have less travel. Any bumps that you hit, there is a serious bounce. However, on a flat rode, the ride is slightly smoother than stock. I suspect this is may be due to the car being out of alignment, but I suspect the springs, tires and shocks are not correctly matched together.

    I will provide more feedback once the car is aligned on Thurs evening. Now the question is, will the springs settle due to mileage driven, or do they need actual time?
     
  19. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Did it feel like the rebound was a bit quick or hard to tell right yet? Need side by side pics stock & lowered to tell in a picture with a ~1" drop. It will be interesting to see what the lower ride height does to the gas mileage. Some say it will go up and some say it will go down. My guess is go up.

    Mike :tea:
     
  20. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Have you ever driven a non-factory lowered car before? LOL