I have also wondered about his. Mine sits so high in the rear it look like it's looking for a mate. If I install springs just in the rear, will it sit level or be too low in the rear?

Anybody?

I checked with my friend who works at Toyota Corporate in Torrance, CA and the response after discussing it with his colleagues was to change the shocks as well if only changing the rear springs.  Don't know the details.  He just left on vacation, I'll try to find out more when he gets back.

I thought that was going to be the magic solution when I bought three 40 lb sacks of concrete from Home Depot.  Didn't make much of a difference.  Six sacks probably would have done the trick.

Talked to my buddy at Toyota last night.  After discussing it with his tech people, there is no real reason NOT to change just the rear springs, but he confirmed the recommendation to change the shocks as well.  It's much more critical if you're driving competitively vs. every day driving.  If you're doing competitive driving, you're probably going all out anyhow with suspension mods.

It's kind of a trial and error as well as a $$$ thing.  For every day driving, change just the springs and drive for a while with that setup.  If it doesn't feel right, add the shock upgrade.  Doing shocks and springs together will give you the best conditions for driving at the xB's limits as in an emergency avoidence maneuver. 

He had no input on ride/performance after changing the rear shocks/springs and then piling some of my lard-assed friends and their gear in the back of the xB...but it can't be much different than an upgrade at all four corners.

He also mentioned that swapping wheels and ignoring the suspension has a more serious effect on the ride.  Ideally, aftermarket wheels should be the same weight (or less) as the factory tires/wheels.  Adding somrthing like dubs that weigh significantly more than stock adds a lot of unsprung weight to the suspension components.  It may look cool, but it's not a good thing.

In conclusion, he recommended TRD Sparks for performance goodies.  All of this is off the record.  Toyota will deny any knowledge of this information.

Looks like it's a hung jury on this one. About 50% for, 50% against. I think I'm going to take the lead from "Bench".
I've gone ahead and ordered the TRD springs from TRD sparks ($240 shipped) and going to install the rears only to see what happens.
I figure if I don't like the look or the ride, it's easy enough to put the stock ones back on and sell the springs even if I take a bit of hit on cost.
Does anyone currently have photos of just the rear lowered?
If not, I'll be sure to post some once I get mine done and include my thoughts.
Thanks for all the info.

  :wallbash:

You NEVER want to just lower the springs in the rear. Honestly the springs I bought made my car better, the xB rides much smoother, cornering is fun, and on the highway, there is less wind resistance and harsh body movement. (When I drive down to Florida from Kentucky, going about 95 the car sat up high and would jerk with the wind) Ever since I installed the springs the car feels so much better since it sits closer to the ground. And since this is a xB2 forum your car is brand new, take good care of it, springs is something you do not want to cheap out on. But if you want to butcher your ride go for it.

If you want a slight to moderate drop go with Tanabe NF210's.
To be lower, go with the Tanabe DF210's.

Good luck, remember, when your shopping for springs, there are online coupons... Use them to your advantage..