Anybody have any suggestions on how to raise the stock suspension so I can go in driveways without scraping the chin?
Local auto part store like autozone sells coil springs spacers. U just jack up car and insert spacers on all 4 coil springs. Research coil spring spacers for more info.
I know this thread is a few years old, but I have solved this issue because I live off of a gravel road. I raised my front at least 1" and my rear suspension at least 1.5" using custom made springs. I also increased my load carrying capacity before bottoming the car about 600 lbs. Love the way the car drives still and how I can go off road about the same as a Subaru! I had my springs designed and manufactured by Polk or something close to that name in the North West. Turned my 2005 Prius into a country road capable runner! Now I need to specify new springs for a 2016 Prius if it is even possible to do so. A Prius without the 1" to 1.5" is relegated to smooth roads without any drop offs or it will ding the front fascia if not crack it. Great car that is too low. I forgot to mention this. Almost every comment on the boards said "No! Unposstible! Your car will bounce off the road!! Locust will follow you everywhere!! Barry Manilow will invade your radio!! You will be assassinated by Toyota Engineers!!" Of course the Safety Sally's and Nosey Nellies were all completely wrong, as usual. My Prius is about three years on after market shocks with custom lifted springs, putting in over 1000 miles per week on every road surface imaginable. Getting around 49 to 51 mpg once I changed to PCV valve, serpentine belt and tweaked a few other things. Run Douglas tires that are rated for 45k and last 60k easily. So go ahead and do it!
Seems to be more interest lately in lifting the Prius. You can buy polyurethane spacers at http://www.tema4x4.com that fit above the coils. I got a 40mm set and have done the rear so far. Not too difficult, didn't even need the spring compression tool I borrowed from the auto parts store!
Tell us more about these springs. The Tema4x4 spacers are of questionable quality; I had one fail after about 2500mi. I've been poking around trying to see what other vehicle I could take the springs from to gain some height, but the custom spring route sounds interesting.
How does that work? I'm guessing you just jacked up the rear, and that allowed the spring to expand enough to get the spacers in? You're all-black look looks pretty good. My 2 cents, get centre caps for the hubs. I got a cheap set on EBay, claimed to be OEM. Definitely not, and a little ill-fitting, but with 1/2 hour or so with a dremel, got them functional. When I tried them, they seemed to be riding a little high, and not locking positively. Closer inspection and comparison with stock: stock has a chamfered edge around the rim, whereas the aftermarket had a square edge. Grinding it down (white zone), they fit fine:
Jack up the rear, disconnect both shock absorbers to drop the axle, the springs should then easily come out. Then you just remove the OEM rubber on top and replace with the Tema spacer. Thank god it's so easy since less than a month after installing the passenger side spacer failed dramatically. Ended up with the coil between the axle and exhaust heat shield. Generic spacers from O'Reilly are too big to work with the Prius springs. I should have taken measurements when I had the coils out last time so I can start comparing with other vehicles...
Looking for alternatives to the Tema kit, I found these air-springs: W23-760-4136 | Firestone Coil-Rite Rear Air Bag Kit The most interesting bit to me is seeing what other vehicles this kit would fit. They supposedly also fit a Scion xB and Isuzu Rodeo Sport. Looking around for lift options for the Rodeo led me to these longer springs: ARB® 2913 - 0.75" OME™ Rear Lifted Coil Springs that will provide 3/4" of lift. I suppose they'd fit on the Prius, too? It's the best I can find right now. Hoping to hear from @TnPriusMan about his custom springs....
Bump? Looking for cheap lift options. The issues with the Tema spacers is concerning. New springs would be ideal.
Personally, if you plan on keeping the car for awhile, I think it'd be worth going for the Priusoffroad - Prius Offroad, Lift Kits kits. The Tema spacers are plastic/rubber, and they can eventually break or degrade. PriusOffroad is making their kits out of steel.
I just ordered a kit from PriusOffroad, I'll try and remember to report on how they work out. '13 PIP, ran on a lot of dirt and gravel roads plus snow country.
