new previa vip member

[hondaboi]

Hi,

I am new to this forum and this is my first post, I was referred to by Shawn. I have a 92 Toyota Previa 4WD that is stock.* I would like to lower the minivan and put some 18" wheels.* I was looking online and found a set that I am somewhat interested into. Its a staggered size look, which will be 18x8 and 38mm offset and 18x9 and 38mm offset. I would like to be flush to the stock fender.*

So, with a 9" wide wheels and 38mm offset, do you think it would still be flush (in the rear) with the stock fender? Or should I consider the 8" wide all around? And will it cause any rubbing issues once the van is lowered (question applicable to both sizes)? The tire size that I am considering to get is 225/45/18 for all 4 sides.*

Also, with regards to One Ton VIP (which BTW the previa looks very nice!!!) how many coils did you cut to achieve that lowered height? I also read that your suggestion to lowering on stock suspension is around 2.3", would you be able to tell how many coils would need to be cut in order to get that 2.3"?* My stock shocks are GONE because when I drive the van, it bounces like crazy and I actually can "feel" the shock compresing to the MAX (bottoming out), therefore my shocks are gone. How much are cheap but reliable coilovers? Also, would airbags be cheaper route VS coilovers? I have no clue where to start searching, so any help is much appriciated.

Thank you again for this forum, I really enjoy looking at all the nice cars/vans and I hope that I will be able to learn more about VIP.

[Dominik]

Welcome, and good luck with your project! Sorry i cant help answer your questions, but I am sure someone will have the answers.
As a tip though, make sure you put a meaningful title on the thread, because looking from the forum list, this could just be a "Hi i'm Mike, how are you all" type message!

[Jay]

Welcome

[firelizard]

If your shocks are gone, you'll probably damage the rest of your suspension components riding on cut springs. If you're going to cut your springs at least invest in new dampers.

GAB Coilovers:
Toyota Estima (TCR1020W) Wagon Coilovers - ~$1200 USD
ask Shawn about his Silk Road coilovers

Airride usually costs between 2-4 thousand USD, depending on how much of the work you do and what's available

[mdenoga]

The list price for Air Runner suspension for the previa is $3500. One thing you need to know about this Air Runner application is that the rears require some welding so only the fronts are bolt-on. So you're looking to spend any where from $900-$1500 on top of that to get it installed. And about cutting springs, I wouldn't suggest doing it unless you've done it before. It may just be a nightmare if you cut it wrong.

[hondaboi]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for the welcome.

For some reason my post became a new thread. I was actually posting a reply from a thread that was already started haha. I hope that its ok that there is a new thread. :)

With regards to the pricing of the coilovers VS air rides I might as well just save up for coilovers due to the fact that I do not have 2-4 thousand usd to spend. So coilover it is. Just curious as to what is the cheapest coilover set? GAB Coilovers are good brands, but of course in on a tight budget. I hope that the silk road coilovers are better in pricing.

I fully understand that having a VIP car is not cheap, but im just a student right now with no income :laugh: so I hope there are cheaper alternatives. Also my stock radio just died or is diying too, the backlighting isnt working anymore. I cant see if the radio is on or not at night. PLUS my AC isnt working too. I turn on the air (not even the aircon) and hot air blows out eventhough the temp is on the cold side.

There are alot of problems that is happning with this 12 year old van. I hope that I can get it fixed (the important ones first) soon..I really like this van, and I find it very useful on a daily usage :smitten:

[mdenoga]

Replacing the stock radio isnt too bad in the previa if you need help let me know. About the air being hot, I have the same problem with my parents' 93 previa. It may just be a lever under the hood that you need to tweak from time to time if its like mine. Although my 94 previa has no problem. As long as you keep up with the regular maintenance on this van you'll be able to go beyond 300,000. :)

[hondaboi]

Replacing the stock radio isnt too bad in the previa if you need help let me know. About the air being hot, I have the same problem with my parents' 93 previa. It may just be a lever under the hood that you need to tweak from time to time if its like mine. Although my 94 previa has no problem. As long as you keep up with the regular maintenance on this van you'll be able to go beyond 300,000.* :)


Currently it has around 156000kms. Ill take a look at lever under the hood. The only normal maintenance is oil and brakes...nothing else, this van is my mom's so I dont always drive it. But she does not drive it either so I drive it. Currently my honda is under service, so I have been driving this car for the past 3 months.

Since my radio is gone, I will save up for a TV/DVD. I wanna put two tv's one in the front and a bigger one at the back. I will let you know mdenoga if I need help with regards to the radio. I hope there is a DIY on how to take it out! haha.

But first things first..need a job and income, so I can spend! haha.

[replica]

Welcome, and good luck with the items you need to get fixed!

Radio - I have a CD/tape combo out of my 97 Supra, manuf date Nov 96. Perfect cond, I can take pics if u want. It's been sitting in my bedroom closet.

Heat - Here is some helpful text I found on the net, I had a similar prob with hot air blowing, but now it's fixed and the AC is nice & cold:

"That made me investigate further and I found the many
postings on the site that tell you to check that the heat comtrol
valve is completely closed. I checked mine and it was 1/4" open when
it should have been closed. I re-adjusted the cable so the valve was
completely closed. That was during the winter, now that it is summer
I can report that it made a big differance.

This is a problem that I have fixed and can help out here!

The problem is that the outer cable housing for the temperature control needs to be reanchored in a way that allows the water control valve that controls the flow
of hot water through the heater core to be all the way off when the lever is in the cold position.
The heater control lever in the car is connected to the water control valve by a cable that is enclosed in a plastic/metal housing.*
The cable and the valve get out of alignment.
Look under the hood for the cable that controls the heater water.* It helps to have somebody in the car slide the lever back and forth while looking under the hood.*
* You will find*a little clamp that holds the outer casing of the cable in place near the valve.*
With the heat control lever in the cold position, release the clamp holding the outer casing, then rotate the hot water valve to the full closed position
while letting the outer casing slide freely.* Now reattach the clamp, and you're done!"

Bryan

[hondaboi]

Hi Bryan,

Thank you very much for helping me with this heat issue. That is my main concern with this Van because its summer and its VERY hot here. Well the AC dont work either I think. But it might be connected this blowing hot air thing.

I will try it this weekend..and see how it goes, keep you guys updated.

regards,
cleaver

[hondaboi]

Hello..

I found out something bad today with regards to the Van's suspension.

I did an oilchange and I found that the REAR left shock is actually not connected to the car anymore meaning that my rear left is basically being held up by the spring. The top part of the shock is held still bolted on, but the bottom part..is not.

So, that is a bad thing, very dangerous! I dont know how long this has been...but I just saw it today.

Knowing that my shocks are dead...what are my options?

I saw this at ebay.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-GR-2-STRUTS-SHOCKS-TOYOTA-PREVIA-91-97_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ008QQitemZ 180004631134QQrdZ1

Or are there other brands? Mind you I wanna lower in the future...so this is a good excuse to do it now hahaha.

HELP!

[firelizard]

KYB GR-2 is the entry level KYB damper, an OEM replacement. It's stock length and stiffness so more than 2.5" of drop would be pushing it a bit.
A more performance oriented damper with a shorter body might be a good idea if you're looking at a 2.5"- 4" drop

[hondaboi]

KYB GR-2 is the entry level KYB damper, an OEM replacement. It's stock length and stiffness so more than 2.5" of drop would be pushing it a bit.
A more performance oriented damper with a shorter body might be a good idea if you're looking at a 2.5"- 4" drop


thank you for the reply...much appriciated.

Can you refer me to what shocks I should be looking for if I do want to drop the car later on? I have tried google and ebay and only the KYB came out.

[firelizard]

Looks like KYB is your only option for shocks. Might be worth it to just get right into coilovers?

[hondaboi]

Looks like KYB is your only option for shocks. Might be worth it to just get right into coilovers?


Yeah...hmmmm

So the cheapest coilovers are starting at 1200usd?

Do they have lowering springs available for our previa's?

[firelizard]

TEIN S.Tech for TCR10:
Soft:
P/N: SKT12-S1B00
Price: ¥27,600
Drop: -47mm front, -36mm rear

Medium:
P/N: SKT12-M1B00
Price: ¥28,400
Drop: -47mm, -36mm

TEIN H.Tech for TCR10:
P/N: SKT12-G1B00
Price: ¥44,000
Drop: -55mm, -60mm

there are other brands but I'm lazy ::)

[One Ton VIP]

If your car is 4wd, you will be limited in how low you can go... go too low and you'll run into axle problems in the front. My suggestion: get new oem replacement struts and rear shocks if yours are indeed dead, then just cut a coil or two at most of the springs. You're not gonna get it that low, but you really shouldn't anyway. If you want to sliggity slam a previa, then you should consider getting a rwd only model...

[hondaboi]

Thank you for the help everyone!!! I really appriciate it!!

To firelizard:
I never knew that Tein's made springs for our Previa's KOOL! Ill look to see how much it would cost to get one here.. Thank you!!!

To One Ton VIP:

I might just have to cut the springs like you mentioned, it would be cheaper for me. Maybe in the future if its not that expensive Ill either get Tein's (depending on price), or full coilovers!!!

I do have a question for you, with your drop..how many coils did you cut?
I want diggty slammed my previa!! But I did see your pictures of the Axle problems...I will consider that!!! But do let me know if you get the chance on how many coils you cut...(front and rear). Thank you!!!

Also, I am looking at wheels and I saw an 18x8 and 38mm offset and 18x9 and 38mm offset. I am leaning towards the 9" wide wheels, but I do not know if it will stick out too much. I am not considering getting flares thats why...just enough sticking out on the fenders that it will be flushed...or just little sticking out. What do you guys/gals think? 8 or 9?

Thank you again...and currently, im contacting the Ebay seller with regards to the KYB shocks...seeing if they ship to CANADA and using what courier..

Regards,
cleaver

[OnTop]

then just cut a coil or two at most of the springs.

[hondaboi]

oopps! hehehe...misread that.

I just though that OneTonVIP cut more than 2 coils...because his car is super dropped from the pictures, I just wanted to know how many he cut exactly :)