Lowering springs.. your experience?

[Petrus]

I am a bit surprised about a FL brace fitting on a PFL ánd about it reducing ground clearance.

I have a PFL with Snelbaard´s front member brace, belly brace and TRD rear lower member braces; nó ground clearance lost.

If I would not have the TRD Sportivo kit, I´d opt for KYBs and OEM springs a wee bit cut down like I had before. Not shed any of the bracing.

Another aspect  is that lower springs are stiffer and that makes chassis stiffness more important.

[p5ycho]

I have been contemplating what to donwith mynworn out suspension for a while, finally decided on a Koni/H&R combo. It's nice to read that most people don't have clearance issues, because I was pretty worried about that. I will report back when I have things on the road again.

[Petrus]

It's nice to read that most people don't have clearance issues, because I was pretty worried about that.

It ALL depends on where they live and how they drive. Look at your OWN region and use.
You would not be the first to discover how high the central door locking thing on the floor of the garage entry is :-)

The car is a sporty one and none too high as it is. Lees so in a world increasingly aimed at SUVs and crossovers: It is not getting anuy smoother out there. Ány lowering needs an increase in driver awareness.
Mine is VERY little lower, 20-25 front / 15-20 rear, and I have no issues because I adapt to it. Cannot park one wheel on tarmac, one in the verge. Cannot enter some underground parkings. Cannot just romp off the main tarmac onto a parking lot in case there is a step. Etc. Oh and parking with the front towards the sidewalk... I have the optional FL rubber lip und the bumper valance and it will scrape even the lowest so will keep more distance; even from the concrete saucages indicating the space.

[p5ycho]

Now you've made me worry again!

Seriously though, I haven't scraped anything with stock ride height, so I'll be careful in the beginning and stop on some bumps to check clearance. It'll probably be fine. It's a sports car, it's a compromise anyway.

[Petrus]

It's a sports car, it's a compromise anyway.

Yes.
The Netherlands not being known for it´s mountainous profile should help.

[Beachbum957]

I have been contemplating what to donwith mynworn out suspension for a while, finally decided on a Koni/H&R combo. It's nice to read that most people don't have clearance issues, because I was pretty worried about that. I will report back when I have things on the road again.

The Koni / H&R combination works very well, but the car is lower so you do need to be a bit more careful than stock as far as ground clearance. The measured clearance at the sill jacking points on our 2002 is 5" (130 mm) on our 2002. The clearance will vary based on tire size.

We ran the Tein springs which were even lower for almost 30,000 miles and a few steep driveways and larger speed bumps had to be avoided, especially when carrying a passenger.  We were running tires slightly smaller in diameter than stock as well, which aggravated the situation, and have a breastplate, while takes away nearly an inch of clearance, and it normally hit first. 

Overall, it was rarely an issue with a bit of care.

[Petrus]

---but the car is lower so you do need to be a bit more careful than stock as far as ground clearance. ---with a bit of care.

In a nutshell ;-)

Btw, sidestepping the ride/right hight:
There is imo a point mostly overlooked in lowering threads.
Toyota went to relaitvely stiffer rear springs for theír lowering products; the rear being twice as stiff as the front. The standard springs are 50% stiffer rear.
This difference in front/rear sping rate doés affect the whole behaviour of the car. Makes it more stable, less roll and pulls the rear closer up to speed of the front; improves suspension balance especially upon entry, when peeling off.

Nearly all after market springs are also 50%. The table is on Spyderchat.
Do take it into account.

Lastly there are at least two specialised firms in the UK who will wind custom spec springs at véry reasonable prices. Boris´s current antics have pissed off the EU so on this side of the Channel you should allow for some extra costs.

[Beachbum957]

The spring chart on Spyderchat should be considered an approximation as some numbers are estimations because the spring supplier didn't list a rate, and some are advertised rates and lowering amounts.  Many springs listed are dual rate (Tein) or progressive (H&R), so a single number doesn't tell all that much.

Unlike coilovers with flat spring seats, even calculating rates based on measuring the actual lowering springs isn't completely accurate as it is difficult to get the effective spring rate because of how the springs are mounted in the lower seat.

For example, the H&R and Tein have the same unmounted spring length front and rear, but the H&R doesn't lower as much, so they are effectively stiffer at the static height.

[Petrus]

The spring chart on Spyderchat should be considered an approximation as some numbers are estimations because the spring supplier didn't list a rate, and some are advertised rates and lowering amounts.  Many springs listed are dual rate (Tein) or progressive (H&R), so a single number doesn't tell all that much.

Unlike coilovers with flat spring seats, even calculating rates based on measuring the actual lowering springs isn't completely accurate as it is difficult to get the effective spring rate because of how the springs are mounted in the lower seat.

For example, the H&R and Tein have the same unmounted spring length front and rear, but the H&R doesn't lower as much, so they are effectively stiffer at the static height.

So, summerising; caveat emptor and cross you fingers about the relative spring rates ;-)

Makes faffing (slightly cutting down) with the OEM ones even more attractive. At least you know where you are and going. Secondly you can always buy after market ones if you decide you don´t like what you did.