Got my TRD springs, now to install...

[geoff5093]

As the title says, I got my TRD springs in the mail yesterday, and i've been checking around some places to get them installed.

First off, you guys were right, I asked the Toyota dealer and they said that it would take 6 hours, and a total labor charge of $500!

Then I went to an independant mechanic who specialized in European cars (A co-worker told me to ask there since he knows the guy), but He didnt want to work on my car as he specializes mainly in Audi's. But he did say that I should upgrade the struts as well, but i really dont want to spend all that money.




So basically what i'm asking is, would it be ok to just replace the stock springs with the TRD's? Or do I really have to buy new struts as well? I know that the lowering springs put more strain on the struts, and will make them wear out sooner, but the guy made it seem like it would happen right away.

And lastly, realistically, how long should this job take?

[Toyota_Nate]

I am getting my springs installed in the morning at Tuffy Muffler. They said a max of 4 hours at $70 / hour. I'll let you know exactly how long tomorrow.

[Epsilon]

Just wondering, are your springs red or black?

[geoff5093]

I went to Meineke but they said that they dont install lowering springs.

And mine came in black.

[whiteboy]

Originally Posted by Toyota_Nate

I am getting my springs installed in the morning at Tuffy Muffler. They said a max of 4 hours at $70 / hour. I'll let you know exactly how long tomorrow.

you're looking at over 200 either way, bit too much you could find cheaper probably on the same street even just drive around couple shops and audio places or anyone that works with cars basically I found lowest quota within 15 mins going down the street and 2 phone calls, was 200$ and I did it myself because I wasn't satisfied, so I wasted $42 on a really nice torque wrench that I like and some hours heh

[Toyota_Nate]

Originally Posted by Epsilon

Just wondering, are your springs red or black?

Mine came from Sparks Toyota and are REd with the TRD logo on them

[whiteboy]

Originally Posted by geoff5093

I went to Meineke but they said that they dont install lowering springs.

And mine came in black.

hey give this guy a call, this is someone's brother from a tinting place I went to, I called him but by the time he got back to me I decided to do the springs myself
He does a lot of aftermarket stuff I'm guessing you could bargain a lil with him ask him for off work hours for the job or something and he's in Salem NH
ask him for a quote name's Dave 603 548 1425
give it a shot see what he says , found the card in the car a sec ago when I rememebered I had it hehe
good luck! can't wait to see your ride on the 9th hehe

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by whiteboy

hey give this guy a call, this is someone's brother from a tinting place I went to, I called him but by the time he got back to me I decided to do the springs myself
He does a lot of aftermarket stuff I'm guessing you could bargain a lil with him ask him for off work hours for the job or something and he's in Salem NH
ask him for a quote name's Dave 603 548 1425
give it a shot see what he says , found the card in the car a sec ago when I rememebered I had it hehe
good luck! can't wait to see your ride on the 9th hehe

How hard was it to install it yourself?

I have a buddy about 10 minutes from me, but he's away on vaca until the 4th. I'll give him a call though, see what he says.

And I cant wait unitl June 9th either, i'll be there from 11-12:30 or so

[whiteboy]

it's not hard at all one corner is maybe 9 bolts you have to undo, compress the spring, take it out put the new one in and do bolts again, and they're not hidden or anything all really clear if you have the tols not hard, if you don't go buy some and return them when done, I only kept a torque wrench that I really liked and saw myself using it in the future but after i did the first one and had the tools each one took like an hour or so and thats still with ****ing around a lil and having food in between since my girl was there lol

[geoff5093]

I heard you can rent a spring compressor from Auto Zone, which I may do. The fronts seem easy enough, but for the rears, do you need to remove the seats?

[-SCWEET1-]

Too bad you are not in cali, I would have charged you 100 bucks to install them... oh, and you don't need to replace the strut to change the springs.... Do they even make aftermarket struts for you guys yet?

SE struts are stiff, you could always change to those if you could find them.

[whiteboy]

milt they don't make aftermarket struts as far as I know for gen5 or 6
and ya you can rent them from autozone for free basically you buy it and they give you all your money back when you bring it back so it doesnt cost a thing it's $42 up front
the fronts are real eazy the backs you take the seats out and pop the deck so you can get to the screws at least on gen 5.5 not sure on 6 but I'm guessing it's about the same, you just have to remove the back seat which is just popping it up, this is done easiest in warm/hot conditions when the clips are soft but you just pull it up basically

[Toyota_Nate]

I just picked up my car, $270 for the install. The ride and handling difference is amazing! Absolutely the best investment so far. Not too firm, but the corning and control is much improved.

[geoff5093]

If only I lived in a more popular area, Im sure some members here would be glad to do the work if I paid them some money.

What may end up happening is that I wait until the 4th when our local mechanic comes back from vaca, and see what he says. But he may say that it would take 4-5 hours to, but at least he only charges $50 an hour.

Nate, I know you just got them installed, but have you bottomed out yet or anything? And how much did it lower your car?

[Toyota_Nate]

No bottoming, don't expect it to be a problem. I did not measure before and after, but I guessing 1.25-1.50". It looks much better, tires fill the wheel wells like a BMW. You will love the handling!