Heavy Springs And Lift Upgrade

black_jmyntrn do you have any affiliation with these teal heavy springs?

 

Running both lift and spring is what is being tested now, that's not the concern, I'd need to re-read but if my memory serves me cdiorrect, Something has to be cut, and added or modified for matrix spring to work on the prius shock. Reminds me of the Coilover kit I had on my old street racer. I had to cut up the struts to then slide a spindle over the strut, I wasn't perfect. I couldvecould've had a bad experience if I didn't notice the spring spindle to raise and lower was cracked down the middle.
I just stay away from hacking to get what I need as it relates to things on the suspension, and the engine. like using oven cleaner to make my egr spotless gave me the heebee geeb

That statement needed more context. see above

I don't want to assume but are you referring to the look of the springs, the number of active or non active coils? Because by those measurements I;d agree with you but overall build quality, not even close. Do we know what the load capacity of the Matrix or Vibe?

One would hope a spring made for the Prius or one not made for the Prius that's to be used on a Prius lines up to the perch.

Did you know Toyota used different rear springs in the rear of the Gen 3 Plugin? Do we know anything about the Matrix springs like weight capacity? Or spring rate? Fitting is one thing, how it performs is another, not trying to take any away from matrix, trying to understand.

 

what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?

 

That's true, you have to put the rear matrix lower perch on top of the prius perch. It slides right over and sits flat when you flatten 2 tabs on the seating surface of the prius perch. I don't believe it would be any more likely to fail than putting a heavier spring on the factory perch, but have no data to back that up obviously. Were it to fail, I would simply be riding on the bump stop. The front need no modification other than swapping the springs. Just because I'm not concerned, doesn't mean I think you should change your mind, I'm just putting down my reasoning for posterity. There is minimal data about the awd matrix /vibe springs, even from the aftermarket companies that I can find. The actual load capacity was not my main concern though, I am not using it like you do yours, yet.

 

See, I swear there was another thread where someone maybe tried a different part number, had to do more work and I feel like others even posted saying "Nah, not doing that". lol Took time to reread this method and id do it after welding on the larger perch if there were no other springs available.

My stance, is I just want reliable, dependable parts available to the owners of all gens, well most, don't see no one doing what I do in a Gen 1. lol and yes, Ive had each spring, front/rear Gen 2, Gen 3 and Gen 4 analyzed to assist with the development of the springs.

That said, id has to get one of these matrix springs, and take it to the place where they do this special machine to determine loads. this is what I've gathered so far(this is without my notes in front of me)

Gen 2. 270bs
Gen 3. 205lbs
Gen 4 228lbs
F-150 900lbs

and now /i have a brain fart on what the heavy-duty ones are without my notes... point being, matrix might fit and I'm curious what the specs are and how they feel. My plugin felt better, tighter, and stronger with the new heavy duties.

 

I'd say this is a valid description of what the matrix springs have done. I only have about a week on them, but I would equate it to the feeling of a 3/4 ton truck with no load in the bed. It is stiff, very little bounce going over bumps, but not harsh like a 1 ton where it is like driving over a washboard in the rear. Did it cost you anything to get the springs tested? It's interesting that the Gen 3 springs went down so much, even though curb weight went up.

 

This answers my question. Thank you.

 

Springs are settling in nicely and I'm out testing this setup pretty hard!

I took it out to Azusa OHV for some fun.

 

here is another good video of testing...

https://youtube.com/shorts/uhGAzr6t3Qo

 

Instead of your Teal springs?

Probably because Plaman was going to buy the Overlanding spacers from PriusOverlanding.com, which happens to be an affiliated web site to both jmyntrn.com and black.jmyntrn.com. All 3 point to name server NS1.jmyntrn.com.

So you are saying that you don't have an affiliation to the teal heavy springs?

 

Saying the same thing I keep saying... what does it matter? Your energy is off bud, not sure what you are trying to prove. Just come out and say whats on your mind.

 

That looks awesome! Does it still sag under a rear end load?

 

Hi Straw, Hey I am very close to pulling the trigger on the Matrix spring/Lift spacers solution I was wondering if the front and rear springs are different part numbers or are they all the same spring?

I have a rather large cargo rack and box I use to hold my 12 volt refrigerator and other supplies and the back end of the Prius sags quite a bit. I did almost 9k miles across the USA and back last fall but mostly camped in the Loves truck stop parking lots because the car sits so low I did not want to risk even a dirt road so I need to get this done.

Also, how does your car run with the over sized tires? I hear lot's of different stories about how that can effect performance but all I am trying to do is go down the road at 65 mph comfortably and without losing to many MPG'S in the process.

Thanks for creating this thread.

 

you are going to need more than the Matrix springs in your use case. Have you seen this Gen 2 lifted yet?
https://black.jmyntrn.com/2022/01/28/2004-2009-toyota-prius-lift-kit-and-heavy-duty-springs/

In this picture, I have 12" of ground clearance from the bottom of oil pan to the ground.

 

Hey Black, I think I bought my class 3 receiver from you guys late last year. I don't doubt that your teal springs are superior to matrix springs but we are talking about $100 for Matrix springs vs $700 at Prius overland for the four springs. I am thinking I'm going to need that extra $600 to buy fuel this year so I am willing to take a chance they will do the job.

I am even going with the EBay "knock off" spacer kit on my build as it is $150 compared to $350. Now, I am not trying to use a Prius like a jeep my only goal here is to gently drive my Prius onto some BLM land or mild desert dirt roads to camp for a few days then back to the blacktop and on to the next stop.

I am around 170 lbs with the weight of the receiver, Hitch, Cargo basket, Cargo box and all the contents so it's nothing crazy but I thank you for the input friend.

 

Not trying to sell ya, just in my experience, only installing the lift springs would have your ride height where you need it without the lift kit.
After hearing a Prius owner notice the black gen 2 driving in front of him down a twisty road in the LA Canyons, then order them just from seeing the car react on the road is just one of the reasons I disagree with your assessment. Plus, it's less about the benefits off-road, it's more on-road when you are cruising at 69 and the highway dips, or you are driving down a twisty mountain road and the car handles remarkably with the extra weight. Also, the Matrix springs are not progressive.

How about this... after you have the Matrix and add-on lift installed... when you realize it doesn't give you what you thought it would... I'll buy it all from you, and the difference in the price of the teal springs we put my purchase towards them you pay the difference. If you don't like them, you tell me what you realize you really need, and ill work with you at no cost in parts until you get what makes you happy. Would even cover an install if it got to that point. I feel like you'd give an honest comparison since it hasn't been done yet...

 

Thanks for the reply. That parts link you posted only shows the front springs for the AWD matrix are available could you post the part numbers needed for both the front and rear springs? You are the Dr. Frankenstein of this monster project I do not want to order the wrong thing. It's the 2009 vibe or matrix AWD front and rear springs correct? That rock auto link is also listing automatic and manual springs as a separate thing. It's all very confusing.

 

Well that's an interesting idea but how about this? Sell me 4 teal springs for like $300 and I will document the installation (here) and give an honest review. That's about double the current price of the front and rear matrix springs and about equal price to the matrix springs and the EBay knock off lift kit. Also, I suspect you have them in stock.

If they are everything you claim they are and would negate the installation of those lift blocks and the convenience factor of not having to procure those matrix bottom perches as well as the lift kit that has a value and I couldn't be more objective.

If they are the "bees knees" I will report that and if they sag under load or it seems like the lift blocks would be better I will report that as well.

Meet me halfway?

I have zero reason to lie if we do the deal I paid something it's not a freebie. Food for thought.