Noob coilovers question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Maim Menu · 11-08-2007, 06:00 PM

I'm looking around for lowering parts to order them over the course of winter and I just can't decide if I want coilovers or Eibach/Tokico or KYB

I understand there is a hard/soft setting and a ride height setting on coilovers. I know I have to sacrifice some ride quality to lower the car and put 18 inch rims on it, so don't come out saying I'm doomed to get my ass spanked hard everytime I go out driving. I'm ready for a stiffer ride and will enjoy the improved handling.

We have horrible roads here. I know some people over in the USA think their roads are horrible too but they have no idea. No really, I'm serious as a heart attack. We have winter too.

Would it be possible to lower the car more than eibachs with coilovers and have a better ride or is it hopeless? Coilovers would be great cause I could raise the car back up for winter.

bigbird · 11-08-2007, 06:09 PM

with coils u can raise and lower the car to an extent, but even the softest settings are stiffer then most spring/strut combos. u will kill ur ass if the roads are that crappy, but if ya dont mind it ull never find anything stiffer with a spring/strut setup. but other then swapping out the springs for lower ones, coilovers are the only way to go.

Rdizzle · 11-08-2007, 07:06 PM

I have found that on the softest setting its really not at all bad. And i have way stiffer rates. You stock guys on the softest should have no worries about comfort unless you are used to nothing but caddys....

felonyr301 · 11-08-2007, 08:32 PM

Take it from me I live in the bronx part of nyc and there is at least a couple of really fucked up roads just going to my school that is like 10 minutes away and the rest is just ok but still bumpy as hell, if there is one road that is smooth give it a week or two and it won't. I could care less about the ride but that's just me I'm only 19 years old and my kidneys can take the beating but you may not!!!

The horrible roads plus winter will eventually wear out the coilovers faster than the strut/spring combo (coilovers have a shorter lifespan than strut/spring). If you just wanting to put on coilovers and forget it about it and not bother to clean it from to time then you will ruin it quick.

The only option you got is D2,k-sport, and I believe JIC but JIC is a little pricey but if there was a choice I would definetly go for JIC better company but if not then k-sport is ok for the price but this company doesn't send out replacement coilover while they fixing the blown coilover so unless you planning to put back other struts in while you wait for the replacement then your car is unuseable till then.

I have the 7/5 rate and just saying putting it on the softest setting won't net you a easier ride for me it becomes really bumpy and the better ride and control was around a lil stiffer setting!!! It all depends on the road you driving it on and select the best setting for it.

Best idea would be to use thew coilovers for the spring,summer, and fall and put back the stock suspension and stock wheels just for winter!!! That's what I'm doing now.

Also real coilovers like the ksport and JIC don't lose suspension travel when lowered to an degree so the ride shouldn't get drastically harsher or make the handling diminished. Coilover sleeves (ground control) are bad not these. The 18's with the lower profile tires is going to make it rough regardless just so you know but you already know that.

Good luck on making an decision.

Maim Menu · 11-09-2007, 02:40 PM

I don't want rubber band tires cause the rims I plan on getting have some lip and it'll make them look too small. I want the fender to be filled up pretty good, even if that means going bigger than the stock diameter.

Thanks for the info, I'm leaning toward spring/strut for logevity and winter use.

Felony : Tein also makes pro street coilovers for the Gen 4 camry.

felonyr301 · 11-09-2007, 06:44 PM

Yea I almost forgot about those but you get the point!!! I'm just just a gen 3 guy so there's my excuse for forgetting it lol...

feliks · 11-09-2007, 07:09 PM

Coilovers are meant purely for weight balancing, not adjusting ride height to your preference.

Rdizzle · 11-09-2007, 07:11 PM

Well the ride height adjustment is actually one of the perks and part of the method for weight transfer

WhiteRabbit · 11-09-2007, 07:28 PM

if you can hold out for about another 2 months, i will have BRAND NEW ksport coilovers that i will be posting up in the for sale section for $700 shipped!!!!! no joke, check my trader rating.

pm me if you are interested and would like first dibs

you get ALOT more capabilites for only a few dollars more than a strut/spring combo which would cost ~$600

Maim Menu · 11-09-2007, 09:01 PM

I have to politely decline, but it hurts. Winter is such a pain. Thank god for hockey.

felonyr301 · 11-09-2007, 10:05 PM

are you selling your car whiterabbit???

WhiteRabbit · 11-09-2007, 11:07 PM

^nope, kinda wish though, cause that would mean i would be getting a new replacement car, haah

felonyr301 · 11-10-2007, 12:29 AM

ohh so the hard ride is bugging you then lol...

Anyways it almost sounds like you blown your coils already and getting an replacement and selling those hmm... k-sport service wasn't that great huh...