I have a 1 1/4" receiver hitch to carry a bike rack. I recently bought a newer rack that is heavier. Between the hitch, rack, and two bikes, I can feel the weight on the back of the car. That is without having additional people in it. Do they make a heavier duty rear strut? I've searched and only find ones for lowering the car. I'm only looking to stiffen it up a bit, like the coil over shocks on my pickup.
I think it was justdidit who figured out that bilstein b6 for corolla/ matrix will fit, and they are apparently stiffer than oem touring shocks.
Stiffer springs could affect handling when no load is on them though. These can be aired up only when needed: Toyota Prius 2010-2016 Air Bag Helper Springs by Firestone #4136 - 2011 | SuspensionConnection.com Previous post on priuschat.com showed someone installed these with air lines going to the spare tire location under rear hatch floor with a schraeder valve to easily add air to the helper bags. Just noticed you have a gen 2. Might be out of luck.
Koni makes an oem shock for prii, google them and see if they have your year available, trd springs do drop but not as much, a stiffer spring, even a shorter one is a good thing.
No Koni insert is available for the gen2 2004-2009 with a base model spring. With any of the strut swaps - you will need a spring upgrade as the diameter of the base spring won't fit the spring perch. Shocks that COULD work if you do modify the rear spring. I ran modified springs on my car for 2 years before i swapped the touring shock out for the Bilstein B8 Sport. I started with the 4kg/250lb spring and went up to 5.3kg/300lb and 6.2kg/350lb and ended with 6.7kg/375lb. I never felt like the oem KYB touring strut couldn't handle the extra spring load over the oem 4kg/225lb spring load. Bilstein Shocks - B8 Sport Shock Absorber Part Number: 24-069250 Bilstein Shocks - B6 Heavy Duty Shocks Part Number: 24-069243 Koni Shock - Sport Series'Yellow' Shocks REAR: 80-2844SPORT Tokico Shocks - HP Blue Series REAR: HU3764
Pretty sure the base and touring model springs use a different perch because of spring diameter as well as the casing is different. If someone can get me a diameter of the base model, i can verify it with the Bilstein perch would should be the same as the Koni and Tokico.
i went to metrotoyotaparts, and all prius, corolla and matrix use the same upper insulator. so all springs must have the same upper diameter. I did try to measure the spring and it will fit around the B6; whether it fits the perch I do not know
Ya, after looking at old photos, the bottom of the coil looks tighter. I recall reading somewhere that the base model strut had different valving than the Touring. In fact the base and touring had completely different springs and shocks. If anyone wanted to take some photos and measurements of the base of the spring i could probably verify the Bilstein perch would work. I don't have my old springs with me in Canada, but here is an old photo.
This may not be of much help, but I know that Plug In Supply offers stiffer rear springs to compensate for the added weight in the rear from their plug in conversion batteries. I searched their site, but could only find the installation instructions for the springs, not their specs or how much they cost, or if they will even sell them by themselves. Also keep in mind that stiffer springs often call for shocks that offer more rebound dampening to prevent nearly endless bouncing.
So in summary the b8 sport is the way to go.. and what else do i need? different springs? and? This 05 I just got clearly needs rear end dampening..
Hello All, My 2009 Prius has almost 300K Miles and is probably due for suspension upgrade (front and back). I would also like to add a 1.5" lift kit at the same time (PRIUS 2004-2009). I trailer a motorcycle and my passengers are on the bigger side I hope they never read this post.. Please provide the links to the heaviest duty components. Appreciate your help and guidance in advance, Simba
I installed springs from a 4WD Toyota Matrix in my Prius. The heavier springs both lift the car and handle weight better. Heavy Springs And Lift Upgrade | PriusChat
2004-2009 Toyota Prius Heavy Duty Rear Lift Springs – Gen 2 https://priusoverlanding.com/product/2004-2009-toyota-prius-heavy-duty-rear-lift-springs-gen-2-2011-2012-2013-2014/
What year matrix did you use. I'm always hauling photography gear in my 09. It is squating now at 150K Trouble free miles. I tried the old fashioned spring block things but it throws them before long.
