TRD Springs Vs Tanabe DF210...The Title Bout

[detroiter]

There's alot of threads that have SOME info on these springs, I feel more so there is information out there on the DF210's then for the TRD springs. I'd like this thread to have user reviews of each spring AND hard, solid information on them. That way when people search for a definitive thread to choose between the two, because I feel these two springs are choices alot of people decide upon but have a hard time choosing, they will have a one stop shop to help them. It also seems alot of people shy away from the TRD springs and go Tanabe DF210, any particular reason aside from being a 1/2" lower?

Please share your reviews, owner feedback, why you choose what you did and are you happy with your decision. Even add in pictures such as ground level photos so that people can get a good idea of what they are getting into, pictures of the wheel gaps, etc.

[Pitt Yaris]

I'm a noob on suspension and springs, but I would thing trd vs nf210 would be a better battle.

[Pitt Yaris]

If rubbing weren't a problem, I think df210's would be had by over 90% of posters that currently own lowering springs.

[frownonfun]

i originally intended to buy the TRD springs. mainly because i was worried about how much of a drop the DF210's were gonna give. but after talking with cali yaris from micro-image i eventually settled on buying the tanabe springs and i am really glad i did. personally i wish the drop was even a little lower. but i'm still waiting for them to settle a little so it might end up being just perfect. they are also quite a bit cheaper like chinocharles said.

[Tamago]

DF210's acquire their low stance by lowering their spring rate. awful if you actually DRIVE your car.

how about progress?

[cali yaris]

DF210's are +15% spring rate, actually. At least get the facts straight.

I did several track days on the DF210's - not bad at all.

progress:
DROP: 1.7" front, 1.8" rear
RATE: 110 lbs. front, 130 lbs. rear

And I have new spring from China to try out 1.5" drop and 4k front / 3.1k rear -- could be good.

[frownonfun]

DF210's acquire their low stance by lowering their spring rate. awful if you actually DRIVE your car.

how about progress?

mines a daily driver and i don't think it's all that bad. rougher than it was, no doubt, but not unbearable or anything.

[cali yaris]

also H & R which don't publish their rate, but in general I like their products - anyone tried them?

[detroiter]

lets hear the pros and cons of each spring, good and bad experiences as well

[frownonfun]

i originally intended to buy the TRD springs. mainly because i was worried about how much of a drop the DF210's were gonna give. but after talking with cali yaris from micro-image i eventually settled on buying the tanabe springs and i am really glad i did. personally i wish the drop was even a little lower. but i'm still waiting for them to settle a little so it might end up being just perfect. they are also quite a bit cheaper like chinocharles said.

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/1484/img3319.th.jpg (http://img524.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img3319.jpg)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3508/img3318.th.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img3318.jpg)

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5778/img3316.th.jpg (http://img253.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img3316.jpg)

[Tamago]

DF210's are +15% spring rate, actually. At least get the facts straight.

I did several track days on the DF210's - not bad at all.

progress:
DROP: 1.7" front, 1.8" rear
RATE: 110 lbs. front, 130 lbs. rear

And I have new spring from China to try out 1.5" drop and 4k front / 3.1k rear -- could be good.

sorry, i should have specified, i did not mean that the rates are lower than stock, i mean that they're lower than they should be, considering the amount of drop they offer.

[detroiter]

Aside from the cost, is the TRD springs not as "race" competitive as the DF springs? Obviously a product with the name Toyota on it is going to be more expensive then other brands but aside from the extra cost, there has to be some advantage of the TRD's as compared to the Tanabes.

[cali yaris]

there has to be some advantage of the TRD's as compared to the Tanabes.

Why?

I suppose there is because of the milder drop and some rubbing issues with wheel and tire combinations. In terms of ride and responsiveness, there is no advantage to the TRD springs.

[cali yaris]

i did not mean that the rates are lower than stock, i mean that they're lower than they should be, considering the amount of drop they offer.

ah got it, I would tend to agree with that, but I also prefer a stiffer ride over stock. Tanabe designed the springs that way because 15% offsets the amount they lower the car (the NF210's, with a milder drop are 5% over stock). So you get a lowered car with about the same ride quality. In my experience, the ride is actually just a little bit stiffer than stock.

[CtrlAltDefeat]

I like how my DFs ride, and the lower center of gravity makes it handle much better then stock. A major issue, however, is speed bumps on the DFs. With just myself and another in the car, I have to creep over speed bumps. I think my next upgrade will either be higher or adjustable.

[33OH]

I love my DF210's. Really glad I got them. They ride nice, handle better than stock, drop looks awesome.

I see that alot of people who buy TRD springs get rid of them for DF210's later on for a lower drop.

[CtrlAltDefeat]

I have trd struts, shocks, springs and sway bar. I love the drop and the ride quality. The 2nd pic is before the drop and the ground effects.

looks nice, what size are your wheels and tires?

[detroiter]

Another question to help clear some things up is if someone is running stock rim and tire size, why would they rub with the DF springs? I'd imagine that Tanabe wouldn't build a spring they know would purposely rub on a stock setup for the car, even with a full car load of luggage or people. And even if so, I'd imagine as well if the springs were paired up with a nice set of performance based shocks/struts, there would not be a problem at all.

[CtrlAltDefeat]

Another question to help clear some things up is if someone is running stock rim and tire size, why would they rub with the DF springs? I'd imagine that Tanabe wouldn't build a spring they know would purposely rub on a stock setup for the car, even with a full car load of luggage or people. And even if so, I'd imagine as well if the springs were paired up with a nice set of performance based shocks/struts, there would not be a problem at all.

I'm running stock 15" steelies and DFs without any rubbing at all. With 3 people in the car it's fine unless I get to a speed bump! :laugh:

[2006fronty]

Why?

I suppose there is because of the milder drop and some rubbing issues with wheel and tire combinations. In terms of ride and responsiveness, there is no advantage to the TRD springs.

Do you have the TRD rates to compare to the Tanabe's? Without knowing both spring rates you couldn't really say which spring is better. I believe TRD's (and Eibachs) are progressive, and Tanabes are linear. The TRD coils and shocks are matched to each other as well, which I would see as a advantage.

[MadMax]

Interesting thread, as dropping Sprocket has been something I have been considering for a while. I am running 215/45ZR17 Riken Raptor ZR tires on American Eagle 17" MSR Style 138 rims with +42mm of backspacing, but usually am alone in my car or at most have my 110 lb son riding shotgun. Would the DF210s rub much with those tires? I have scrapped the nose of the car a few times from hitting dips in the road a bit too fast, and worry that I would be doing some serious damage if I dropped it 1.7"

Also, are replacement shocks necessary for a drop? How about an alignment afterward?

Sorry for all the questions but this seemed like a good thread to get them answered...

Cheers! M2

[33OH]

M2,

I run DF210's with 17x7 +42 wheels, just like yours. I also only rub if I turn the wheel all the way before moving.

Other than that, even with 3 other people in the car, I don't rub at all.

You can use the stock shocks/struts with these springs. You do need an alignment after 2 weeks of letting the springs "settle."

Hope I answered your questions.

[schleppy]

I'm going with the TRD springs simply because I don't want to lower the car TOO much. I've done that once on a past car and regretted it. Once I went back to a higher, non "dumping" spring the car handled a lot better. There is a point when low is too low...

[33OH]

It also depends a lot on your wheel/tire size. I ran DF210's with 15's and it had a pretty noticable gap.

But remember, you can always re-sell and upgrade if you ever feel like it's needed.

[kngrsll]

so no one knows the rates of H&R's?

[kngrsll]

and dont forget that the teins are even stiffer than the "title contenders" at 3kgF/3.5kR

[cali yaris]

so no one knows the rates of H&R's?

That is correct - they are progressive springs and they don't publish that data.

[kngrsll]

That is correct - they are progressive springs and they don't publish that data.

don't you carry them? you should be able to put them on a rate tester.

[derickveliz2]

I also prefer a stiffer ride over stock. Tanabe designed the springs that way because 15% offsets the amount they lower the car (the NF210's, with a milder drop are 5% over stock). So you get a lowered car with about the same ride quality. In my experience, the ride is actually just a little bit stiffer than stock.


I have NF210's and my car looks low enough for me, I like the looks and love the ride, much better than stock (not as mushy and not as stiff, just right)


:w00t:

[MadMax]

M2,

I run DF210's with 17x7 +42 wheels, just like yours. I also only rub if I turn the wheel all the way before moving.

Other than that, even with 3 other people in the car, I don't rub at all.

You can use the stock shocks/struts with these springs. You do need an alignment after 2 weeks of letting the springs "settle."

Hope I answered your questions.

It does, thanks! And your Yaris is motivation to get them on, as your drop looks great! :headbang:

Cheers! M2

[33OH]

Thank you Max! I know you won't be dissapointed with DF's!

[PHXDEMON]

sorry, i should have specified, i did not mean that the rates are lower than stock, i mean that they're lower than they should be, considering the amount of drop they offer.

truth. I run DF 210s and they need to be a lot stiffer. I rub all the time on bumps, especially if I have people in the back seat.

[33OH]

truth. I run DF 210s and they need to be a lot stiffer. I rub all the time on bumps, especially if I have people in the back seat.

What wheel size/offset are you running?

[Russelt3hPirate]

I say go with the C-One springs/Struts. :D

or some Tanabe GF210s I know they make them, just need to get them from japan.

[cali yaris]

They don't make GF210's for our car.

don't you carry them? you should be able to put them on a rate tester.

I don't have a rate tester.

I have some new springs from China that are going out to a test car today. They are 4k front / 3.1k rear, stiffer than the C-One springs, I think. Hope to have a review soon.

[Russelt3hPirate]

YES THEY DO!!

:)

[kngrsll]

I say go with the C-One springs/Struts. :D

or some Tanabe GF210s I know they make them, just need to get them from japan.

man, that would be sweet...

[MadMax]

ryank, your pics over in the Please post pics of your Yaris with aftermarket springs here (http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17217) thread really sold the wife on the idea of dropping my Yaris, especially since I have the same spoiler. Thanks again!

But a quick questions, are the fronts really as much of a pain in the ass to do as the instructions make them out to be?

Cheers! M2

[justjesus]

also H & R which don't publish their rate, but in general I like their products - anyone tried them?

Seriously! I spoke to them, they would not budge on ANY info on their product.
That won't stop me from buying H&R, though. Well, not that I'm planning on H&R, just saying not knowing their rates....

[33OH]

ryank, your pics over in the Please post pics of your Yaris with aftermarket springs here (http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17217) thread really sold the wife on the idea of dropping my Yaris, especially since I have the same spoiler. Thanks again!

But a quick questions, are the fronts really as much of a pain in the ass to do as the instructions make them out to be?

Cheers! M2

Thanks again M2 for the compliments. :redface:

The fronts aren't too much of a pain, just make sure you have plenty of time. And take off the wiper tray, a lot easier than trying to work around it.

[bradfucious]

The fronts weren't that bad, provided that you put everything back together the proper way and pay attention so that you don't end up redoing one side three times because of negligence :-/

I <3 my DF210s

ryank, your pics over in the Please post pics of your Yaris with aftermarket springs here (http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17217) thread really sold the wife on the idea of dropping my Yaris, especially since I have the same spoiler. Thanks again!

But a quick questions, are the fronts really as much of a pain in the ass to do as the instructions make them out to be?

Cheers! M2

[yaya]

I'm planning on lowering my car. Not too sure if I should go for Tein S-techs or Tanabe DF210's. I'm running 195/55/15...I'm a little worried about tire rubbing after the springs settle in.

Any thoughts?

[siwo]

My wife is running 205-40-17s, I want to know what's the better lowering springs for her. I'm assuming TRDs since they don't drop too low or else there'll be definite rubbage.

[33OH]

My wife is running 205-40-17s, I want to know what's the better lowering springs for her. I'm assuming TRDs since they don't drop too low or else there'll be definite rubbage.

Depends on the offset, but TRD's or NF210's would give you a safe drop.

I run 205/40/17's (+42 offset) with DF210's and only rub when turning all of the way while parked.

[siwo]

Oh, her wheels offset should be +35. Which isn't as much but it might still rub whlie turned all the way. I'm going to have to test it and tell her not to turn the wheel fully if it becomes a problem. I really doubt it though, but just to be safe.

Thanks so much!

Depends on the offset, but TRD's or NF210's would give you a safe drop.

I run 205/40/17's (+42 offset) with DF210's and only rub when turning all of the way while parked.

[siwo]

Your profile indicates 205-45-17s but you mentioned 205-40-17s on this reply. Which statement should I refer to? Sorry about that, I just wanted to check. Thanks again!

[Lazerdot]

TRD, springs and struts. 17/7 Konigs and 215/40 Kumos. Autocross with no "noticed" rub. Some rub on inside tire at very low speed and full deflection. Great performance for the total price and no issues with speed bumps or steep driveway entrances!:burnrubber:

Excellent advise from the group at Yaris world in general. Fun and informative forum.

[cali yaris]

YES THEY DO!!

re: GF210's. I don't think so. Show me:

www.tanabe-usa.com