Jacked-up???

[otterhere]

Some of you old-timers may remember me... I pretty much hated my Yaris after I bought it and, four years later, I'm still not crazy about it but have pretty much resigned myself to it... GREAT mileage and performance/reliability, but I have "issues" with some of the design features.

One of which is, and I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't unique to MY Yaris, is that it seems "jacked-up" in the back; the tail end seems to ride higher than the front, and I can see WAY too much of the springs, muffler, etc, from behind as well as too many "springs and things" behind the back wheel under the side panel. From what I've seen just in passing (haven't examined closely or actually measured), other Yari seem to sit more level and show less of their "underthings" in the back. Did someone jack mine up???

I bought it new, but it sat on a lot of a year (got in cheap at end of year).

Anyone???

[BEEF]

I have measurements of my yaris from the dust cap (center of the rim)to the bottom of the fender at home if you would like me to share them. if nothing else you could just look at the height delta from the front to the back. I remember the back being higher. my springs actually have more of a drop in the back than the front. took care of a lot of that look.

[Altitude]

That's normal for a stock LB.

[otterhere]

Is there a way to LOWER the back, even if it is "normal"? I don't like it!

[otterhere]

Originally Posted by BEEF

I have measurements of my yaris from the dust cap (center of the rim)to the bottom of the fender at home if you would like me to share them. if nothing else you could just look at the height delta from the front to the back. I remember the back being higher. my springs actually have more of a drop in the back than the front. took care of a lot of that look.

Yes; I'll take that! Thanks. Not sure what you mean by "dust cap," though.

[BEEF]

change the springs???

you could contact garm over at microimageonline.com and see if he will sell you just the rears and get a little bit of a drop out of it.

the installation on the rears are really easy with the right equipment. (2 jacks that lift really high).

[BEEF]

dust cap...

I didn't like my hub caps so I popped them off and painted the wheels black and used beauty bands to dress it up. I covered the center of the wheel with a dust cap to give it a kind of finished look. the dust cap is in the center of the wheel.

here is a pic of my car currently.

http://www.microimageonline.com/foru.../3208/1350.jpg

****edit****
I'll have to find it tonight since I am once again at work and didn't think about it after posting. will have it on here tonight.

[BEEF]

sorry, it's late but here we go. before I did my springs, the measurements were
13 1/4 (front)
14 3/8 (rear)

this is from the dust cap to the bottom of the fender. basically showing how much of a gap is above the tire...kind of.

with my new springs:
12 1/4 (front)
13 (rear)

so about an inch in the front and a little over an inch in the rear.

from the dust cap to the ground is probably around 10 inches or so but I am assuming based off of the 15" rim (half being 7.5"), the meat of the tire and the dust cap top is probably about an inch higher than center of rim.

hopefully this helps. I didn't record those numbers very well but they were purely for my reference only at the time.

[Qmobile]

I wonder would if be possible to put front springs on the back? Just a idea I've had would it do anything? or even work/look right

[oliveskate]

I don't mind the stock height of it, I find it's good for our Canadian winters :P
But coil overs or lowering springs?

[Shroomster]

Originally Posted by Qmobile

I wonder would if be possible to put front springs on the back? Just a idea I've had would it do anything? or even work/look right

Nope. Springs are made specifically for front or rear, coil over or independant, different weight limit, shape of coil and perches/spring seats.... That's why its best to go aftermarket for this type of issue/complaint....hope this helps

[Lux]

Maybe it's just me, but I sometimes think the Yaris is too low..

[Qmobile]

I don't so I think it to high when I get into my 93 Escort I feel like I'm in a low rider in comparison.......I'd change it but I'm broke lol

[otterhere]

I feel like I'm climbing UP into the Yaris, whereas I prefer sitting DOWN on a carseat; then it feels like a tall, bouncy ride (much like riding those old Hippity-Hops from my childhood) without much control. I hate walking up to my Yaris and noticing that the roof is nearly as high as the other cars -- even the SUVs -- and it looks more like a minvan than anything else. I much prefer a short, low-riding car that hugs the road. At the moment, I am SO tempted to buy this little Mazda2 that's come up for sale here... Some just love Yaris but, I must confess, after four years, I still haven't warmed to it. Thanks for those measurements; will print them off and try to make some comparisons.

[BEEF]

if you say that is what you want, why don't you buy some lowering springs. I went with the H+R springs and the height is noticeably lower without being slammed. they ran me ~$225. I also went with a sway bar.

the installation wasn't that bad. my ride is anything but squishy now. the handling is really nice. I put about $500 into the suspension recently (including the realignment). it made a world of difference for me.

not sure if you are a DIY kind of guy but it was worth it to me.

[otterhere]

Originally Posted by BEEF

if you say that is what you want, why don't you buy some lowering springs. I went with the H+R springs and the height is noticeably lower without being slammed. they ran me ~$225. I also went with a sway bar.

the installation wasn't that bad. my ride is anything but squishy now. the handling is really nice. I put about $500 into the suspension recently (including the realignment). it made a world of difference for me.

not sure if you are a DIY kind of guy but it was worth it to me.

I'm a girl (!) and can't even change my own oil, so would def have to have it done; what are H&R springs, exactly? Who would do this; just any mechanic or a body shop?

Another thing I don't like: you barely TOUCH those side panels and you get a ding or a dent. What are they made of, aluminum foil? I could go on and on.

[otterhere]

Originally Posted by BEEF

I went with the H+R springs and the height is noticeably lower without being slammed. they ran me ~$225. I also went with a sway bar.

the installation wasn't that bad. my ride is anything but squishy now. the handling is really nice. I put about $500 into the suspension recently (including the realignment). it made a world of difference for me.

not sure if you are a DIY kind of guy but it was worth it to me.

We shouldn't have to spend ALL that money to get tight handling; just sayin'!

[BEEF]

just because you are a girl doesn't mean you can't do things. yes, a shop can install them for you. here is where I got mine.

http://shop.microimageonline.com/H-R...aris-29126.htm

here is the thread where I put mine on.

http://shop.microimageonline.com/H-R...aris-29126.htm

and also realize that my nice stiff suspension is not liked by most people that drive economy cars. yes it corners like nobody's business but you feel most (if not every) bump in the road.

there are cheaper alternatives to suspension. garm has a set of springs for $150 for a set. you don't technically need a sway bar. and if you do it yourself, you will only have the cost of parts in it. I have a PDF of the install. I got it from here somewhere but just saved it on my computer.