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I want to drop my car either 1.5 or 2 inches, but not super slammed. After contacting a few spring manufacturers, nobody makes springs for previa.
So I wanted to know if anyone has the measurements of the spring and if there was similar sized springs for other vehicles that might fit.
I just want a bit of a lowering.
Go with coilovers if you intend to lower your Previa. Ebay's the place. :rol:
I've had coilovers on a few of my cars, but do you know what set would work? I dont mind spending money on a good brand, if I can avoid the ridiculous JDM prices.Quote:
Originally Posted by Estima
look in japan
many options
the ones that lowered the least were the TRD ones, but most people bought the ones for the TCR11W or TCR21W, meaning IRS... not compatible with ours
I was wondering the same thing,
I know Tein mad some super cool coilovers but they are super expensive
If I remember correctly, Sprint made lowering springs but I don't know of anyone buyng them or installing them on our Previas
Wonder if other lowering springs from Toyota might work
Like the first gen MR2 (AW11) are comparable with both the AE86 Corolla GTS and AE82 FX16
Any ideas?
Since the previa demand for parts has kinda disappeared compared to the early to mid 2000's, it appears the JDM companies are the only ones that have stuff available.
I've contacted H&R spring and a few stateside asking, but to no avail on anything.
Our first set of rear custom springs were expensive and came from ?Cobra? springs out of Australia...then we found the last generation mustang springs fit the rear, we just cut to suite the desired drop, the front springs are cut stock previa springs, aftermarket are generally too low. cutting was trial and error.Quote:
Originally Posted by cvtroger
cutting springs is a horrible idea!
When you cut the springs, the spring rates become unpredictable, and they can weaken due to the fact that the coils were heat treated to resist fatigue
the main issue itself are unpredictable spring rates... handling and SAFETY becomes a big problem
We immerse the spring in a cooling media, use a cut off wheelQuote:
Originally Posted by TheMAN
I challenge you to any driving contest ...our previa vs. yours! in CA.
Suspension mods involve compromise. Handling, comfort, and - as theMAN says - safety, usually suffer when the changes made favor fashion.
With all due respect to long time members....the interweb and forums can be challenging for communication... I joined this forum to learn, and hopefully share our Previa modifications- successes and challenges. I agree, adding intense heat to a spring component will compromise its integrity. We almost completely immerse the spring in a bucket of water, this controls the spring temperature very well. We also chose spring rates that are slightly higher than stock, and as you already know cutting the spring increase the effective spring rate. In the end, we have a nice handling van. Safety has improved, as you can pitch this thing into a corner, body roll is minimal. This is not our first rodeo!Quote:
Originally Posted by pdgizwiz
As the guy who still wants to turn a Previa into a pickup, I'm a big supporter of the freedom to do what one wants with their vehicle. The car hobby is a very big place, and I don't mean to suggest that everyone should maintain their car/truck/van in stock form. There's too much fun to be had experimenting with changes, and expressing one's own creativity by doing so.
I don't doubt that a lower stance and stiffer springs would help a car hug corners on dry smooth roads. (And I know that the roads in CA are very dry these days!) Add an unexpected rough patch with those stiffer springs and you could find yourself in a ditch.
Cars are designed for a broader variety of conditions. Compromises are made so that they perform acceptably in those that consumers are expected to demand. Previa suspension is not designed for a race track, nor is it designed for a rutted mountain trail. It will behave reasonably well on either a highway or a dirt road, though. Changes to improve performance at one end of the spectrum will degrade the other.
I see cars all the time now that have had their suspensions practically removed, so that the car is "slammed". They must handle like pallet jacks. But that's what their owners want, and it's a free country!
Well Put! Our plans include more hacking...
Honestly, It is why I asked a company like H&R because are reputable with springs. I just wanted a slight drop to look smoother... nothing like the bippu slams or stanced cars.
So I will search until I find something that is up there with safety standards with a 1" drop.
I looked into this years ago... the ones that will give you the least drop and best handling/comfort compromise are the TRD springs... but most people bought the 7 seater / IRS versions in Japan, not the 8 seater / solid axle ones... so not only are the springs now discontinued, finding used ones are even harder due to this
We found out a few years ago that aftermarket performance parts for a ~20 year old van were limited .... We have had to look for other ways... The custom springs we purchased from Australia were too much of a drop so we improvised. The van is so versital, it's worth the extra effort to make improvements.
Wow, great research as always done by you.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMAN
What about the estima emina or lucida?
not possible... they are all IRS
The American Previa did get the shaft...Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMAN
Would be nice to have the IRS....If it didn't cost a fortune, we would consider swapping one in.