Suspension Options?

Start with your choice of upgraded wheels & tires, as a racer, I can tell you first hand that my 17x7" & 205/50-17" non-LRR tires made a world of difference.


Rob43

 

I hear what you're saying.

Think about it like this...the vast majority are trying to get the maximum MPG's, not make it turn-in better.

You, I, and a few others are the 1% percenters here.

These could also be a simple/cheaper solution when compared to the price of coilovers.
www.rs-r.com/product/toyota-prius-prime-down-sus-springs-2017/


Rob43

 

Just got my Megan coilovers today. Gonna install them soon with my wheels and alignment at the same time

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Hey I remember you (more specifically your dog). Blitz makes a coilover kit for the Prime/PHV and so does TEIN (doesn't look like they have EDFC as an option though). I actually think the turn-in is pretty decent with the caeat that the road surace is very slooth. The high speed valving on the dampers feels set up pretty hard so it transmits a lot of the small bumps, but upsetting the suspension while turning makes the car feel pretty floaty.

 

a-gray,

Did you get that Prime, and if so, have you done any mods to it? I have a couple of suggestions.

 

Any updates?

Does the Prius gen 4 strut bar/front tower bar fit on the prime? Any rear sway bar options? The car handles WAY better than the 3rd gen Prius, but are there any options to keep the Prius more flat during the turns?

 

Have you upgraded your wheels & tires yet ?

The OE 195/65-15's are like marshmallows...


Rob43

 

Yes they are. It will help overall the feel of the car but I want more rigidity and less body roll.

 

This may be a dumb question, but can the coil overs be used with 15" wheels? And can this technique be use to increase underside clearance?

 

I can't imagine that wheel size would affect the installation of coilovers. The 15" wheel and tire take up less space in the wheel well. If the coils offer adjustable ride height (as most do), you should be able to raise the car a bit.

 

How would that affect stability and ride with 15" wheels? The other comments suggest that the addition of coil overs is best done with 17" wheels. However, these tires reportedly have a reputation of incurring high cabin noise (I'm not sure whether this is due to the 17" tires themselves, or if it is due to the lack of noise deadening in the Prime/Four Touring). In any case, I wouldn't want to have coil-overs installed for increased clearance if it is going to introduce a stability problem, and I am no expert on the matter.

 

As a suspension builder, I can tell you right now that the VAST majority of coilover manufacturers don't allow for an actual height increase. In almost all cases, "their" coilovers highest setting is barely at and almost always is lower than the OE ride height.

If you have a particular coilover in mind, call up that company and ask them for the answer to this exact higher than OE ride height question.


Rob43

 

Thanx. I expect that it would not be recommended, otherwise it would have already been used to increase clearance, but I will dig around to see what the coil-over mfg's say.

 

Usually coilovers are built with shorter (but stronger spring rate) springs to give the car a height adjustment range. Because of that, usually on the max height it will not give you a bump above stock height (but rather, it will still be a half an inch or more of height drop like Rob was saying). Raising the car might need replacement parts more than just springs. Shock travel will have to be taken in consideration, camber kits, etc.

Also, the rim size will not matter if coilovers can or cannot fit because of the tire size you will use to compensate the same overall diameter of the wheel. Tire width and offset of the rims will effect fitment, but it can benefit your goal if they do not rub. If you want more ground clearance, you can get a thicker sidewall ratio tire (stock is 195/65/15, so bump up to 195/70/15) or wider tires with the same sidewall ratio (205/65/15), as long as the tire do not rub against the fender when you do turns. 195/65-R15 vs 195/65-R15 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator | Tacoma World I use this website to play around with tire size and rim size to achieve the goal I want.

 

Hello all, resurrecting this question. Has anyone found sway bar(s) for the Prime? I recently got a 2017 Prime Advance and dont want to lower it but would like to get a little better cornering. All my other vehicles with the addition of Sway Bars made a world of difference without having to lower the vehicle and lose ground clearance.

 

Hopefully I have found a path forward. I ordered a new front and rear sway bar from Cusco, but they are only found in Japan. I figure they will arrive in a month and all things going as planned they will fit! I will let you guys know if they are a go!

 

Cusco Sway Bars front and rear imported from Japan, and the off-road prius 1" lift spacers. Probably go in this weekend if I find the time

 

I have been wondering about how one would take a Prius Prime, or perhaps a RAV 4 Prime, and modify it so as to have a very smooth ride. I've been thinking about air shocks but don't know much about them.

Any advice? Suggestions?