SLE and TRD springs?

[Gorcman]

Hey, i have an 04 V6 SLE and am looking for ways to improve the handling.

I wanted to drop the car, but ive read from previous posts that TRD springs dont work well with the SLE. If thats the case, is there any other way to improve the handling of the SLE besides the TRD sway bar and Front strut? Thanks.

[cklinh]

Well... depends on how much you wanna spend...

Some people have purchased the SE Sport struts from Toyota to go with the TRD springs... this is better than using the stock struts with the TRD springs. From one of the other members, looks like the Sport struts cost more than $600.

Other people (soon to be me) installed Tein SS Coilovers.

There's also the JIC coilovers. Both coilover options would set you back well over $1000...

[bluesolara]

Just get Tein S-tech lowering springs... I have the springs (150) maybe you should consider that if you don't want to spend 1,000. But then again, if you want better performance, save up.

I don't know, I like mine just the way it is.

[theprodigy79]

You may also want to look into the Eibach springs... They actually manufacture the TRD springs (and offer the same 1.2" / 1.4" drop as the TRD), however their own offering is supposedly stiffer and suitable for the SLE, as TRD spec required a softer coils. They do cost slightly more, but nothing outrageous...

[mikei]

As one guy that has installed TRD lowering springs on a SLE. I would strongly advise against doing so. The cost of installation alone was $$$$$$
to end up with a lowered ride that pogos up and down on the interstate. The SLE struts & the TRD springs are a terrible mismatch.

I believe that if TRD was honest with consumers they would only recommend installation of their spring set on Solara sport models.

If you cannot afford a complete matched set of struts and springs from Tein yet I would advise waiting till you can afford them. The installation costs alone can run anywhere from $300- $600.

I am now in the process of having to remove my SLE/TRD combo and install the Tein Super Street Set anyways.

http://www.tein.com/ti/l68-mcv31l.html

At $1350. a set the Tein is almost the same price as buying Solara Sport Struts along with the TRD Lowering Spring Set from Toyota.

The TRD springs were the only option to me when I did it as the Tein S.S. was not available yet.

Please do not waste your time and money putting mismatched springs and struts in your car.

I hope that you learn from my hard earned lesson.



Mike I.

If you would like to discuss all the problems I have had with the SLE/TRD combo on my car fell free to PM me.

[sahuddleston]

coilovers are the way to go........ more $.... but the quality of the ride and your satisfaction are guranteed

[slingshot]

Mikei,
That photo sure doesn't look like a convertible with mudflaps. Whose car is that?
Also, my rear tires have a tiny gap between the tread and the stock struts. If I got aftermarket struts and it was lowered, the tires wouldn't rub on them? I replaced the 215/55/15's with 225/55/15's and the diameter and width of the rubber is a little bit larger.

[Sentinel]

While I can't say for a GEN2, I have a gen 1 SLE and I put Eibach springs with Tokico struts, TRD Rear Sway bar, and put a higher performance tire on, and the car takes corners at almost 1 1/2 times the speed as previous. Between the struts, springs, sway bar and installation: around $1300. (You have to remove the entire rear of a Gen 1 to get to the rear strut mounts.)

I have heard numerous people say that it is a bad idea to use stock struts and lowering springs.

[gone]

i got an extra set of Sprint lowering springs for our gen.2. 1.7 and 1.9 drop. if ur interested~

[Gorcman]

hmmm..... for those of you who have the SE Sport models (or the Sport struts already), are the Tein SS Coilovers really worth the extra $$$$ over the TRD springs?

[mikei]

Slingshot you have a good eye for Solaras. You are right the black Solara is Teins research car.



Here is my 2005 Solara ragtop

MikeI.

[Biggi_e]

im saving money to do my christmas tree project =P trd lowering springs and tech basic coilovers and i have an sle which i was told i would have no problems

[Biggi_e]

woops dont know where i got tech from i meant tein

[cklinh]

Biggi_e,

If you get the Teins, you don't need the lowering springs... coilovers incorporate the spring and strut in one component

As an aside, dude... our cars are gonna be even MORE alike... my Teins came into the shop this week... just trying to find a good time to have them installed...

[Biggi_e]

damn cklinh always 1 step ahead of me haha, what kind of teins did u get? i got a lil hook up from a buddy of mine so im getting my tein basics for about 500? around there
as for the trd lowering springs i guess thats jus a waste of money then huh? well hope i get to see some pictures of ur instalation wen ur done