My Impressions: Tanabe NF210 + TRD Rear Sway Bar

xravexboix

So we were tired of driving around the mini RAV4 and decided to lower the vehicle. We're waiting on a response for our coilovers, but it's on hold for now.

Before: Toyota OEM Springs, No Sway Bar

After: Tanabe NF210, TRD Rear Sway Bar

Ride Comfort: Awesome. The spring rate is basically the same as stock. It's a good choice for those lowering the vehicle specifically for looks. If you're looking for a weekend racer, don't bother with these. Even when paired with a rear sway bar, the body roll is still immense.

Handling: Decent. It's definitely an improvement over stock, but it definitely isn't the ideal choice for those looking for a stiffer drive. I'd recommend something the Tein S-Tech for a medium sport ride. The Tein Basic doesn't seem to be too stiff either. For reference, my daily driver is a Solara on Tein SS (6.0/3.0 spring rate, medium dampening).
Comparison:
Spring Rates F/R:
Tanabe NF210 2.5/2.2 $220.00
Tein S-Tech 3.0/3.5 $350.00
Tein Basic 4.0/3.1 $1170.00

Noise: Awesome. No suspension noise

Final Verdict: It gets the job done by lowering the vehicle enough for a clean look (even with the stock steelies). The handling is slightly improved due to the vehicle's lower centered of gravity. The ride quality is almost as soft as the OE suspension with a very small spring rate boost (being told 5% over stock).

So yea... I'll be selling these (NF210) in September if anyone is tentatively interested :P

For my reference: These were installed at 1560 miles

pickledchang · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 591

i second this write-up, lol.

ChelsDS · Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 2364 Location: SoCal

Those have a warranty while my R&D ones do not... :ponder:

xravexboix · Posted: 8/27/08 7:34AM Post subject:

So the springs settled yesterday. It actually stiffened up a little bit, but nothing really noticeable.

I think we'll be looking for about $140 obo on the springs once they are off. They should be off the xD by the weekend of Sept 13.

SeattleGuy · Joined: 09 Dec 2007 Posts: 94 Location: Seattle, WA

Thanks for the write-up. A couple of thoughts and some better pix of how much lowering is achieved:

NF's without struts are definitely NOT a good choice for serious racing but the body roll is NOT "immense." There is substantial improvement.

NF's with TRD struts balance a good daily ride with some hobby canyon/autocross ability.

The "sway" bar does not do very much for body roll unless you are seriously pushing as it is really a beam axle stiffener. (I've done a before after comparison.) There is no true sway bar available for xD's.

For what it's worth. Some usable pix of lowering achieved with NF's on stock wheels: http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3408414&highlight=#3408414

Mynam3isazia · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 34 Location: san gabriel ca

yeah I have a hard time on the canyon with these spring I think the stock is better it have less body roll but I like how it look so I'm trying my best to learn how to take the corner better.

TRDxD · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 168 Location: South Pasadena, CA

your springs settled in a day? did you drive to vegas and back? lol it takes a couple hundred miles i thought..i got the DF's and i noticed just about the same improvement. everythings comfy, road noise is slightly louder now but..i don't really care haha. nice review!

xravexboix · Posted: 10/29/08 12:02PM Post subject:

These are definitely better than stock, but definitely not a coilover.

I went in the Canyons to help push the settling. Hard driving is just as good as letting the 1.25 tons sit on it =P

I'm still dying for coilovers, but poor atm. hehe-- Donations? =D

TRDxD · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 168 Location: South Pasadena, CA

ILL DONATE!!!!

in turn for you supra :D.....

JDMJim · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 1951

still don't believe that springs settle. maybe the car got a bit lower after coming off the stands. my wifes tC did that. it's good to learn how to beter control a car that isn;t easily controllable as I have learned. A sway bar is a must for the xD. should be standard fair. or an LSD for sure. I'm gonna get one at somepoint. I hate the pegleg turns it does

TRDxD · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 168 Location: South Pasadena, CA

im sort of with you...i dont think springs settle to the rate at which people think they do.. after thinking about it, i think the "settleing" occurs like..10 minutes after you install them...once you get the weight on the springs, it shuold relieve any excess tension they had from being "new" and without load...to say they dont settle at all, im not sure. but id safely say that they dont settle another .5" like ive heard some people say...thats ridiculous lol

JDMJim · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 1951

idk, my xD has the saem springs the RS1 has and it's not that low. still have about a 1.5 inch gap no matter which rims are on the car. still looks better than stock. as much as I'd like to tuck some tire, it may have an adverse effect on it's handling which is already twitchy.

TRDxD · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 168 Location: South Pasadena, CA

what size rims are you running right now?

JDMJim · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 1951

TRDxD · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 168 Location: South Pasadena, CA

ah perfect size for our car imo. what are they? advans :D?

JDMJim · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 1951

I wish...ole skool Konigs glides. found out they are a JDM wheel originally with a Konig center cap. offered in chrome only in Japan.

TRDxD · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 168 Location: South Pasadena, CA

glides are pretty nice, any pics of them? did you keep em the original chrome?

JDMJim · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 1951

offered only flat balck and gold stateside. I have black

TRDxD · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 168 Location: South Pasadena, CA

ah very nice. im still riding steelies...lol no funds for rims :(... i want some watanabe RS8's though :D......its a nice dream..

JDMJim · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 1951

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