Gen 1 STRUTS current options? AND Gen 1 TIRES 175/65r/14 vs 175/65r/15"

Looking at a pdf of the Owner's Manual, I see 175/65R14 is the stock size. To go from 14" to 15", with the same 175/65 profile, is a phenomenal increase in tire diameter, effectively raising your car 1/2", throwing off the odometer, the "gearing" and so on.

I don't really understand "My neighbor has..... for me"; I would say thanks but no thanks, lol.

 

I am currently in the middle of changing out the front struts.
2001 model with 233,000 miles on it. It had mellow rattle-clunking on even minor road bumps. The rubber bits on the old shocks were visibly, thoroughly thrashed and the stabilizer bar ends seemed quite loose (I could easily turn the bars with my hand) so I am changing these out at the same time.

I pre-ordered the parts from KYB brand including struts (333361and 333360), mounts (KYB - SM5474) and the plastic boots (SB101). Now that I have compressed the spring and disassembled the right strut, I see that the rubber insulators on top (OEM: 48157-47010) and bottom (KYB - SM5808) of the coil are also shot. If I had to do it again on a car this old I would order the quick struts where it comes assembled and you don't have to mess with compressing the springs and reassembling. Also, I am finding it difficult to find the upper coil spring insulators (48157-47010). Wish me luck. I'd like to be driving this car again soon.

 

Also, looking at the parts closer now, it seems that I don't need the upper spring insulators 48157-47010, since I can still use the upper portion of the original 48157-47010 that cushions between the top plate (below the mount) and coil spring (the bellows portion of 48157-47010 got shredded and impacted into the old bump stop). I'll use the KYB plastic bellows and bump stop from SB108. Movin' on.

 

I have been meaning to start a new thread with some details on replacing all four shocks and struts on my wife's 2001 and my 2002 - I will keep it as short as possible here - last year at income tax time decided both cars needed suspension upgrades - roughly 200,000 miles on each - talked with local north bay California hybrid shop which quoted me roughly $1500 to replace all 4 shocks and struts - decided to go another direction

After some time on the internet found complete pre-assembled shock and strut assemblies for front and rear - one company FCT were $248 delivered for all four and another company UNITY were I think $264 plus shipping - we decided to try the FCT ones for my wife's car since her daily commute is about a mile and a half - all four assemblies arrived within a week - took me about three hours to change all 4 and she was good to go - significant improvement as it looked like the car had the original Toyota installed shocks and struts - car rides nice

I drive a lot more - roughly 450 miles a week - often on windy roads - I decided to go with KYB but could not find a complete assembly - wound up spending a lot of time on the internet sourcing all the parts to build a complete assembly mostly KYB but springs were from Moog - supposedly stiffer springs - cost roughly $900 and then I needed to buy a spring compressor for about 25 bucks from Harbor Freight - once I had all the parts assembly time was about 5 hours - then 3 to 4 hours to install - it also looked like my car still had the original equipment

In hind sight I like that mine has all Moog and KYB parts - has a smooth ride and a lot of the sway was removed

This was a year ago - wife has put roughly 4000 miles on her's and I have closer to 30000 on mine - both still ride good - no problems

Sad part is I swapped cars with her to get her alignment checked the other day - mine rides a little smoother in general but her's is stiffer and has less rear sway so corner's better - which is what I wanted to improve on mine

Bottomline is for ease of purchase, price, installation and general use the FCT assemblies are vastly better - I have no experience with the UNITY option but I saw some posts where these were mentioned so maybe others can discuss how good they are - I don't know how long the FCT's will last but after driving the wife's car I think the FCT's are at least as good as going with the current KYB option and I love KYB shocks! I am now looking for options to stiffen up the rear springs and try and reduce more of the body roll

Will update the list as things progress

 

I have a set of Unity's that I got from an Ebay seller for about $200. I haven't availed myself of installing them but they do look nice sitting on my front porch, waiting there patiently. I also have a pair of Moog control arms and new ball joints & tie rod ends. A good weekend's worth of work and then an alignment. Proper air pressure in the tires does help with the body roll. Maybe this winter I'll get to the steering and suspension.

 

Update to earlier post in this thread : Yesterday I installed a real coil spring auditor kit I got from a company called Leisurewize - ordered this out of England for $23 with shipping

Kit arrived within a week - very easy to install and have some positive results. I have only driven it about 100 miles but a conservative estimate is that 50 to 70% of the body roll has been reduced - still has some sway but greatly reduced.

Did not think ride could be smoother since installed new rear shocks and springs but it is - and definitely reduced the bounce factor - additional benefit is did not raise ride height - so far a plus

I will update post if things change

 

I fitted them as well and it's made a difference. I also fitted 15" wheels from a mazda with 195 50 tyres. All good so far.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I also have 15 inch wheels and wider tires - improved handling but at the expense of a couple mpg

See image

 

Yesterday I installed a real coil spring auditor kit I got from a company called Leisurewize - ordered this out of England for $23 with shipping

Supposed to be "rear coil spring "

I will update post if things change[/QUOTE]

 

I wonder if your Gen4 neighbor ever gets Prius envy ?

Your classic still looks good.

 

We have two gen 1s and the neighbors have the red gen4 and I think their blue one is a gen 3 - up until about 6 months ago neighbor on other side had a gen2 - Prius heaven