Lowering springs for US Prius - email if interested

I posted this to most of the Yahoo Groups, but haven't gotten SQUAT for a response. I just can't believe that absolutely NOONE is wanting to slightly lower their car...



I just talked with Eibach, and they need to know the interest level in springs before they'd look into making a set for the 04 Prius. It runs them around $10,000 to prototype springs, so they can't just do it for any car at the drop of a hat.

If you are in the US and interested, and I mean *seriously* interested (ready to spend the money right now if the springs were available), I need you to email me at [email protected] ASAP. I will be keeping count of the interest so I can pass it on to Eibach.

I told them we'd most likely be interested in a Pro-Kit style spring, right at 1" drop front and rear - just enough for handling, looks, and stability improvements, without scraping everywhere. A slightly increased rate for a firmer suspension, while keeping the stock struts, would be a plus.

Assuming they had enough interest to make enough of them to list them in their catalog, they'd most likely retail for $299. If there wasn't enough interest to get them in the catalog, but still enough to cover prototyping costs, they might make some, but the price would obviously be higher.

So if you are *seriously* interested, I'd appreciate you sending me:
first name, last initial
city/state
email address you wish me to use to contact you to [email protected]. The reason for city/state is that if someone is nearby their shop, the prototyping could go much quicker with direct access to a car without waiting to obtain one elsewhere.

 

I know. That's why it is my job to build the interest, then let them know when we have 25 people ready.

That's what you think. I have already spent months trying to get them from Japan. I have now found 2 different people that can get them for me. The springs will be about $300, and the shipping another $200. Not to mention that since there are different suspensions for the Prius throughout the world, we don't know for sure if the Japan springs will work on US cars.

 

I'm assuming this came from http://www.rs-r.co.jp/new_item/search.php3...body_name=NHW20 ?

Looks like about $340 USD for the set. I wonder what it will be here in the US. Looks like it would be at least $309, since they are Ti2000 springs -
http://www.rs-r.com/news_Ti2000_09102003.htm

Thanks, I've emailed rs-r.com here in the US for any info.

I'd recommend that anyone interested in lowering their 04 also email them - http://www.rs-r.com/contact_us.htm - the more interest they have, the more likely they will be to import the springs.

 

Got a response back from RS-R USA - they will NOT be importing the springs, and if you grey market any in, they won't be warrantied.

Grrrr.....

I've GOT to find a relatively cheap way of getting proper lowering springs on this car! The shipping that a couple of individuals have quoted from Japan is insane, almost $200!

 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGH!

The URL no longer works, and I can't find the springs listed ANYWHERE on the RS-R Japan site. I found a shop in California that could possibly import them, if they have the part number.

I don't suppose anyone saved the info anywhere, or has a current link to it?

 

Modellista springs aren't a problem - all I have to do is find a buyer in Japan for them and pay at least $150 shipping to get them before next year (grrr).

The problem is the RS-R springs, which IF I can get the part #, I might be able to buy at retail price, without a whopping shipping charge from Japan. But since the Prius springs are no longer a New Item on the RS-R page, they seem to have dropped off the face of the earth - I can't seem to find them anywhere on the RS-R Japan website (and RS-R USA still has no plans to import them).

 

Thanks to a friend in Japan, I got the RS-R link:
http://www.rs-r.co.jp/db/suspension.php3?C...Body_Name=NHW20

I'm going to check with the importer as to cost/availability (they're closed today, will have to check tomorrow).

Is anyone else interested in the springs? If everyone ordered them at once through the importer, we might have a better chance of getting them. Shipping shouldn't be too high, as they import a LOT of stuff at once, so the springs would probably end up in a cargo container. The importer is located in California, so hopefully it wouldn't take them too long to receive the springs.

NOTE from my Japan contact:
--------------------------------
Series__set__price___price___down spring-rate___model_________product__JAN-code
_____________(net)__(with tax)_mm)_kg/mm)_______________________code
RS*R____F&R__23,000__24,150_______________S(Turing 16" model)__T081D___250536
________F____13,000__13,650__35-30__3.02__ditto________________T081DF__250543
________R____10,000__10,500__25-20__3.10__ditto________________T081DR__250550
Ti2000__F&R__36,500__38,325_______________S(Turing 16" model)__T081TD__250505
________F____22,000__23,100__35-30__3.02__ditto________________T081TDF_250512
________R____14,500__15,225__25-20__3.10__ditto________________T081TDR_250529
Ti2000__F&R__39,000__40,950_______________S(normal 15" model)__T082TD__253612
________F____22,000__23,100__25-20__3.02__ditto________________T082TDF_253629
________R____17,000__17,850__20-15__3.42__ditto________________T082TDR_253636
RS*R____F&R__25,000__26,250_______________S(normal 15" model)__T082D___253643
________F____13,000__13,650__25-20__3.02__ditto________________T082DF__253650
________R____12,000__12,600__20-15__3.42__ditto________________T082DR__253667

Please note that the spring-rate for 15" model is harder than 16" model.
I believe it is based on softer tires and dumpers as same comments as Modellista.
--------------------------------

If the above isn't readable enough for you, see http://www.vfaq.net/mods/RSR-02.html

Most people in the US should probably stick with the 15" springs, especially if you plan on adding more battery capacity in the future.

 

Yes, I might do that in the future. I highly doubt anyone will ever sell them for the 04 Prius, so I might have to just build one for the front.

However, I DO plan on buying higher performance struts IF they are ever available in the US. Or getting the RS-R struts from Japan, if necessary. Nothing crazy, just something closer to what the UK owners already have.