My Project goal is to get a Nice Family Car with a better look.
My first approach will be to change wheels, tires, springs and add 10 mm spacers just to the rear wheels.
I have started with the Wheels and Tires:
1) Stocks are 215/60-16 Changed to Michelin Primacy mxv4 V Rated (the quietest tire available) 225/55-17.
They are 0.58" larger in diameter and make the car 0.29" higher but gave me a much more aestetically balanced look and prepare the car to be lowered in such a way that the fender gap will be shortened enhancing the look but will not get the car's bottom too close to ground.
I am also expecting that the larger tire wall will make the ride much more comfortable without affecting the look.
2) The wheels are Lexus GS300 17" x 7.5 x 45 mm Offset.
I really like the sporty but classy look they give to the car.
I will get H+R 10 mm spacers, probably just for the rear wheels, it all depends upon the results after installing TRD Springs arriving next week.
3) I have also purchased the body side mouldings and reversed the front ones, making them match the slanted details of the body.
Here is the look of the car as today:
Side View:
Rear View:
Front Wheel View:
Rear Wheel View:
This is it by now, TRD Springs (Thank you Gabriel), Spring Cushions to avoid saggy look (Thank You Lammydi and Gene) and H+R Spacers (Thank You Paul) are coming soon.
I decided to go with the TRD Springs for all these reasons:
1) They are Toyota Branded and 100% guaranteed at the dealer.
I called TRD and had the chance to talk with one of the development engineers, he assured me that the Springs are manufactured by Eibach but the specs are absolutely different than the Eibach product by contract.
He also said that in the specific case of my car (V6 XLE) the engine is heavier and the expected drop should be about 1.3 - 1.5 for the front and 1.1 - 1.3 for the rear, avoiding completely the hated saggy look.
Well..............we'll see.
2) They are softer than H+R (at least that's what everybody in the site says, I would love to have the chance to compare but I have to take some risk)
I want a comfortable ride, so I prefer to go with the softest springs.
I bought the Michelin Primacy specifically thinking that they would help to reduce the ride harshness because they are the quietest tires available and had many other features regarding the ride quality. (Take a look at the specs at tirerack or any other wholeseller).
3) I have a friend of mine that got me the TRD Springs at $ 160.00 USD and the Installation at the Toyota dealer at $ 50.00
4) In case of saggy look after the springs rest properly (one week or so according TRD People) I will install the Urethane Spring Cushions and will not only get the look I want but also will soften the ride even more.
Any comments are more than appreciated.
My first approach will be to change wheels, tires, springs and add 10 mm spacers just to the rear wheels.
I have started with the Wheels and Tires:
1) Stocks are 215/60-16 Changed to Michelin Primacy mxv4 V Rated (the quietest tire available) 225/55-17.
They are 0.58" larger in diameter and make the car 0.29" higher but gave me a much more aestetically balanced look and prepare the car to be lowered in such a way that the fender gap will be shortened enhancing the look but will not get the car's bottom too close to ground.
I am also expecting that the larger tire wall will make the ride much more comfortable without affecting the look.
2) The wheels are Lexus GS300 17" x 7.5 x 45 mm Offset.
I really like the sporty but classy look they give to the car.
I will get H+R 10 mm spacers, probably just for the rear wheels, it all depends upon the results after installing TRD Springs arriving next week.
3) I have also purchased the body side mouldings and reversed the front ones, making them match the slanted details of the body.
Here is the look of the car as today:
Side View:

Rear View:

Front Wheel View:

Rear Wheel View:

This is it by now, TRD Springs (Thank you Gabriel), Spring Cushions to avoid saggy look (Thank You Lammydi and Gene) and H+R Spacers (Thank You Paul) are coming soon.
I decided to go with the TRD Springs for all these reasons:
1) They are Toyota Branded and 100% guaranteed at the dealer.
I called TRD and had the chance to talk with one of the development engineers, he assured me that the Springs are manufactured by Eibach but the specs are absolutely different than the Eibach product by contract.
He also said that in the specific case of my car (V6 XLE) the engine is heavier and the expected drop should be about 1.3 - 1.5 for the front and 1.1 - 1.3 for the rear, avoiding completely the hated saggy look.
Well..............we'll see.
2) They are softer than H+R (at least that's what everybody in the site says, I would love to have the chance to compare but I have to take some risk)
I want a comfortable ride, so I prefer to go with the softest springs.
I bought the Michelin Primacy specifically thinking that they would help to reduce the ride harshness because they are the quietest tires available and had many other features regarding the ride quality. (Take a look at the specs at tirerack or any other wholeseller).
3) I have a friend of mine that got me the TRD Springs at $ 160.00 USD and the Installation at the Toyota dealer at $ 50.00
4) In case of saggy look after the springs rest properly (one week or so according TRD People) I will install the Urethane Spring Cushions and will not only get the look I want but also will soften the ride even more.
Any comments are more than appreciated.