rear strut upgrades towing heavy loads

Awesome! Wondering what are the options for the Gen 3's? Time for suspension work and I'll soon have the front Strut Assembly removed to have as a reference specification and test unit.

 

I have the new springs on the rear and waiting for the fronts now. Also added KYBs in the rear.

https://black.jmyntrn.com/2021/10/11/my-toyota-prius-is-lifted-with-springs-and-not-strut-toppers

 

Is it possible to install both the heavier springs and Prius Offroad lift kit or are they mutually exclusive?

 

What would you be trying to accomplish is the question? As it is, no you would use one or the other, using them both would overextend the shock.

 

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Yes you can install both. For the passenger side front spring it's somewhat difficult. I had to cut part of the subframe to get the CV axle to clear so you can install it. Though now that I think about it, you could probably just loosen the 4 subframe bolts and drop it about half an inch since that's all you need.

 

In the rear, for sure no, you would be over-extending the strut. An aftermarket part to allow for this is in development now; however, you still shouldn't do the spring riser from a lift kit on a spring that provides lift as the spring design/dynamics would be altered. When I mentioned this exact scenario to the spring manufacturer, they strongly discouraged this scenario as the angle of the spring with the lift would compromise it or other. I don't remember verbatim but this would apply to a larger rear spring lifter on the OEM spring. There becomes a point where you are compromising the integrity of the car and parts installed.

In the front, it might work, but I'm not cutting anything personally, just to achieve my goal. loosening the bolts IMO is also something not on the agenda. There is e a solution that alleviates your suggestions and testing begins soon. Before my next trip, the whole front end suspension is being re-done and if all goes right a motor swap, not from a Prius, a 2.0L. The clearance needed is less than a 1/2", thing is since the lift, makes you lower subframe, what else do you modify that changed by dropping subframe 1/2" along with the lift? I plan to find out but that has to be thought through before cutting. lol, I love our style though, reminds me of myself in the pre-FNF movie street racing days.

 

How would the strut be overextended? The Prius Offroad kit is just a spacer that goes on top of the suspension. Of course it would change the suspension geometry but that's also kind of the point, right?

 

so we are in sync. I was referring to the rear. The rear has a spacer that goes under the spring. So, you would have a spring that extended the shock and a spring lifter extending it even more. I'm trying to find the pictures from that day. I need t get better at tagging my pictures to find later.

 

have a look here...

 

Interesting install, how much extra height does it provide and is someone actually selling that master hack?

 

That doesn't look much like a Gen 2 rear suspension.

 

Hey just trying to clarify— these Toyota Matrix springs bolted on with no modifications to a gen 2 Prius and ended up with a lift? Looking to do this in the rear of my 2005 as I have a bike rack that weighs down the rear. Thanks in advance

 

Here is the Gen 2 Prius with Heavy-duty Springs in the rear and lift kit installed together.

 

Did you install the Heavy-Duty or Super-Duty springs in this photo?

 

heavy duty with a 1.5" lift kit.

 

Concur, not a gen2. But those meaty tires make it look cool.

It doesn't look very safe, and appears a spring could pop out at any moment, or maybe someone used a fisheye lens for the photo

 

You mentioned earlier that the rear lift required a spacer in the spring, but now they have spacers that just go on top of the struct for both front and rear. I assume your picture shows the Matrix struts (w Heavy Duty springs) and the top-of-strut spacers in the rear, correct?

 

In my Gen 3, I used a spring spacer on my Toyota Prius initially with the 1.5" lift so my tires wouldn't rub.

The Gen 2 in this I believe I the disconnect, I have a Gen 3.

Which picture? The black prius? if so, no, there is no way id endorse the use of the Matrix spring, and I at one time of my life was all about the homebrew, hack to work modifications. I mean sure I've ground off a part on a strut to fit a Coilover kit but that was back in the late 99, the early 00s before I had my first AMG. These days id rather have something custom-made (like my bbk) versus a hack it to work job. Not to take anything away from the Matrix spring supporting group just something I wouldn't do.