TRD Springs out for the '04

[got sport]

Anyone planning on getting these?

[slingshot]

It seems TRD is busy lately getting new parts for the 04's.
Check out this website:

http://www.toyotaparts4u.com/e_catalog/

The performance parts are:
Air Filter - $45.55
Sport Muffler - $418.76
Lowering Springs - $208.20
Front Strut Tower Brace - $175.15
Wheel/Tire Package (18" w/Michelin Pilot Sports) - $1729

Hopefully they will have new suspension and rear sway bar parts soon.

I'd like to know how much the springs and strut affect the handling of this car if anyone gets these for the 04 or got them for the Gen1 or 1.5.

[got sport]

I'm debating whether I should get the TRD springs, or wait for the Tein dampers.

[Blazed04]

I dont plan on buying anything until the Teins come out, and also until TRD makes an intake and a grill.

[dabuda]

how much are the tein dampers? i thought they were already out?

[got sport]

Tein dampers for the ’04s are not out yet. I contacted them last month but they stated that they are in R&D but they don’t have a definite date, so that can mean they won’t be out until the end of 2004.

I’m going to contact them again. I suggest that the more ’04 owners let them know that there’s a market for the dampers, the sooner they will come out with them.

[Jackass-Jeff]

They were looking for a prototyper last month (2 months ago?). They won't take a whole year to do... expect them in Spring (latest) unless the decide to not release them for some odd reason

[got sport]

That prototyper was supposed to be me, but I backed out. So, I don’t know if they found a new volunteer. The R&D was for the springs.

[slingshot]

Tein dampers for the ’04s are not out yet. I contacted them last month but they stated that they are in R&D but they don’t have a definite date, so that can mean they won’t be out until the end of 2004.

I’m going to contact them again. I suggest that the more ’04 owners let them know that there’s a market for the dampers, the sooner they will come out with them.

Could you please inform those of us that don't know what a damper is just what does it do for our car? I know that springs lower a car. Do dampers do the same? Does either of them help to make the car lean less during fast turns? If not, would a firmer suspension only do that? Basically, what are the reasons people are buying springs and dampers?

[Buckeyegirl]

Could you please inform those of us that don't know what a damper is just what does it do for our car? I know that springs lower a car. Do dampers do the same? Does either of them help to make the car lean less during fast turns? If not, would a firmer suspension only do that? Basically, what are the reasons people are buying springs and dampers?

Dampers is just another name for shocks or struts. Lowering springs do just that lower the car so there's less of the wheel opening showing from the top of the tire. Depending on the the spring rate it could stiffen the ride and increase the handling. Depending on an aftermarket strut valving, it can also stiffen the ride and increase handling. Question is do you want to give up the nice ride, or increase handling and sacrifice ride. If your going to hold out for Tein's you better get out your Visa, cause they ain't cheap. Most aftermarket spring mfg's like Eibach, H&R, Tein won't reveal their spring rates. Knowing the spring rate is very important when choosing a spring.

[got sport]

The general rule is if you lower a car with lowering springs, it is highly recommended that you supplement those springs with appropriate aftermarket struts/shocks/dampers. The reason for this is that struts/shocks that come stock with the car were made to support the car's stock ride dimensions, and therefore can not efficiently handle a change in the compression of the ride in the long term.

So far the only suspension companies and products for the '04s are:
1. TRD = lowering springs (which supposedly are Eibachs, but just rebranded as TRD)
2. Eibach = lowering springs
3. Tein = damper kit (in development), and lowering springs (in development)

The Tein damper kit consists of adjustable shocks and springs combined into one piece so you take care of "two birds with one stone". And from the grape vine, Tein is suppose to provide the closest feel to a stock ride. And this could be mainly because they conduct their R&D on actual cars, and not basing it on paper specifications. Tein does list the springs rates on their site, so that is another reason I'm going with them, plus the fact they are the only current company considering producing the damper/spring combo for our car.

Granted the price of a Tein damper kit is expensive (around $1300), but if you factor the total price of springs + shocks it is around the same. I was considering getting the TRD springs because I'm very tempted to drop the car now, but I think for the long run it's better to wait out for the dampers so I don't have to deal with blown stock shocks later and spend more money for fix-ups.

My personal desires for buying dampers is only for aesthetic reasons because I am planning on buying aftermarket rims as well.

About helping a car lean less during fast turns, it helps somewhat because of the lower center of gravity, but to get maximum efficiency you will need to get other components as well, such as a sway bar, strut brace, etc. I don't plan to drive 80 mph on freeway entrance/exit ramps so I'm just getting the damper kit.

[fotodad]

WOW! You guys know your suspensions! I have no clue what any of you are saying, but I do have a simple question put in terms I can understand. In another thread on this forum I mentioned how 75 pounds of kitty litter in my truck made my ride a little stiffer, more sporty. I liked what it did, so I asked you folks why 75 pounds of kitty litter would improve my ride. Again, you experts came to my aide explaining a bunch of stuff about compressing the springs, etc., etc., etc. Anyways, would getting the new springs that all of you are discussing in this thread do what the kitty litter did?

Please make your responses as simple and as easy to understand as possible. Don't be afraid to use a few kitty metaphors.

[slingshot]

Buckeyegirl and gotxango,
Thanks so much for those excellent explanations. They really helped me better understand springs and dampers. Now can either of you explain in the same detail what strut braces and sway bars do? Also, what is the advantage of getting a front strut brace vs a rear sway bar or vice versa? I'm so confused.... When I said fast turn, I didn't mean 80mph on a ramp. I just meant going 50mph on a local road circular turn or slower speed 90 degree turns while city driving.

[kubi]

rear sway bar decreases the lean you feal around corners thus making it much easier to take tighter corners at higher speeds. as far as i know the only reason for the front strut brace is because the supercharger doesn't fit under the stock one, which might indicate development of a supercharger for the 04. in theory i think they are supposed to decrease body roll or something, but i don't think they really make a noticable difference. only reason anyone would buy one is to fit a supercharger under it.

[slingshot]

rear sway bar decreases the lean you feal around corners thus making it much easier to take tighter corners at higher speeds. as far as i know the only reason for the front strut brace is because the supercharger doesn't fit under the stock one, which might indicate development of a supercharger for the 04. in theory i think they are supposed to decrease body roll or something, but i don't think they really make a noticable difference. only reason anyone would buy one is to fit a supercharger under it.

The front strut brace is supposed to make the car stiffer.
Sounds like I'd want a rear sway bar. Anyone know if anyone will be making one soon?