Is there a defenitive answer if the rear coilover struts in the rear can handle more weight than the normal hatchback? I'm wondering if they come from the factory more "beefy". I've asked the dealer and of course they have no idea. The reason I ask is because I have a 2012 hatchback and use it commercially. I carry tools and product and it seems to handle the weight pretty good, but I want a little more room and may carry a little more also. Already knowing the car weighs a couple of hundred pounds more to begin with, I just want to know if the factory puts heavier springs on to account for that and the bigger cargo that may be hauled. Anyone know for sure? And does anyone know if heavier aftermarket springs can be purchased? I know lowered stiffer springs can be bought, but I don't want the car any lower. I know I've had trucks in the past that I installed air shocks on that could be pumped up if you had a heavier load. I doubt if those are available for a Prius v.
Firestone's Ride-Rite website doesn't distinguish between the Gen-III and the v. They may be the same. Bill the Engineer
I would check out a tire shop in your area that does suspension work, they would be able to recommend a heavier duty spring setup, which I would think would be fairly inexpensive, and maybe an air spring is available, also.
I just installed the Firestone Coil-Rite kit (part 4136) in my 2013 v. It took about 2 hours total. I followed the lead of a recent post/thread on this Prius Chat that merged the airlines from the 2 airbags (inserted into the coil springs with the air connection at the top) into a quick-connect "T" ($8.00) and ran the single through an existing electric cable gasket on the passenger side into the trunk area. I routed single airline with shrader valve in an 8 inch long 'pig tail' sticking out of passenger-side cowling behind tail light. Cost of airbags was about $100 including SH. Tech help at Firestone was great and helped me find source for "T." Works great; easily raising rear of car 1.5"+. I need this to level car (head light alignment) when hauling several 100 pds. of stuff back and forth from WA to AZ and back for wintering in AZ.
Be very careful of stiffening and otherwise changing the rear suspension ONLY. To do so could drastically change handling in emergency situations or slippery conditions. Suspension changes need to be balanced and this means changing both ends of the car.
