107k miles, Replacing Struts and Increasing Clearance

Front suspension is getting weaker (as expected) for such mileage, definitely drive her harder than the average Joe.

So it’s time to swap out the struts and add some new coils in. This is my first time doing such a job, looking for suggestions on aftermarket strut/coil replacements for my use-case.

Use-case is being able to handle offroad conditions better. Outdoor enthusiast/climber and need to navigate potholed dirt roads with ease. So definitely NOT looking to lower, if anything want to raise 1.5-2”. Any strut/coil combos that could achieve this or need to add coil spacers?

May also swap out tires, was thinking of going for 195/70r15 to add about 0.5” clearance. Anyone can verify these are safe on Gen 2 (no wheel knocking)?

 

Thanks for the tool, this is super rad! Looks like I could even go for 205/70R15 which has more options for tires...
I'll keep you posted on what I pick.

In the meantime, I added some coil spring boosters with zipties, an impermanent but good temporary solution. Depending on continued performance will determine how soon I need to get real replacements. Already noticed some extra clearance, steering is tighter and going over speedbumps easily, even driving aggressively. Haven't taken offroad yet, will wait for new tires.

 

Strongly leaning toward the Yokohama Geolander A/T 205/70R15 which looks like an absolute beast.
Seems like a good compromise for on-road as well as off-road performance. Want to maintain some semblance of Prius level MPGs

 

Got the tires installed today. They fit (barely) and driving over speedbumps hard is bumping the wheel well, driving over them normally is fine. This is temporary until I get the struts/shocks & new coils with lift kit. Want to get slightly stiffer coil than OEM, idea is to offset the extra pitch and roll from raising the car so much higher. Another added benefit of stiffer coils is less bottoming out, and better handling on bumps. Leaning toward 30mm spacers for the coils to get the extra lift, but there is also a 40mm kit as well. They are PU spacers so seem legit... considering doing the job myself but also might just have the local shop do it. Finally I want to get the TRD sway bars installed to help mitigate roll even more and hopefully clean up the turns, since the handling has gone quite a bit off due to the lift from these tires (and I expect it to get worse with the spacers).

Overall very fun to drive right now, can't wait til I can take her on dirt roads after getting the spacers installed!

 

I’ll look and see what I can find. TRD bar from matrix is even better upgrade than that no?

Also; any suggestions on better-than-OEM suspension upgrades? Been looking around on google and nothing is standing out to me...

 

Update: Deciding to go with a custom coil spring job. The guys over at Custom Spring Solutions have quoted me a more than fair price for a 2" lifted spring at 25% stiffer than OEM, which should do the job I am looking for. This also eliminates the need for any (possibly janky) lift kits.

Once I've finalized my order with them, will be ordering the KYB excel-G OEM replacement strut/shocks and have a shop attach coils to shocks (don't feel like dying yet). Also get fresh mounting kits since why not? Plan on doing the suspension replacement myself. Will post pics of course along the way .

 

Anyone know if these are legit OEM trd?

 

Nvm ordered the right one from a diff site.

 

So this is fun...

IMG_2286 by aelkman posted Sep 6, 2018 at 10:14 AM

 

Tanabe Front Strut Tower Bar: