SolaraGuy.com

My search results were a list of people asking if they could install with SLE struts....luckily I have a SE Sport

I am wondering the best company to purchase TRD lowering springs for my Gen 2 Solara. Cost is important, but more importantly I would like them to arrive quick and be sure that they are in-stock when I order them. Any suggestions?

Also, I can figure out the install no problem, but I am wondering if someone could just brief me on the install. Are there a lot of interior panels to remove in the back? Any other set backs or things I should be prepared for? Thanks!

there are those TRD websites
trd4u
trdsparks
etc etc thats all i can think of
and if i remember correctly ur pretty much removing ur entire rear interior, seats and side panels

^^^ What?!? All that to install some lowering springs?!

lol i think the problem is you need to remove the side panels to get the the struts
but on top of it they layed?laid? the seats and maybe the rear deck haha
but im not 100% sure since i had someone else do the install

i have a new set of rears ready to ship. 100.00 shipped in U.S. let me know.

corlon wrote:i have a new set of rears ready to ship. 100.00 shipped in U.S. let me know.

If you can find a set of fronts to go with it I'll pay 200 now, lol...

HASN'T ANYONE DONE THIS INSTALL BY THEMSELVES YET? Someone chime in. Let me know how it went, give me some heads up on this project.

If the Gen 2 top strut nuts are anything like the Gen 1/1.5, then your gona be gutting the entire back seat.

God, I hope that's not the case...that would just be tedious and FAILx2 by Toyota.

Its actually not that bad.
Well, the 1st time ever doing it might be a bit frustrating. It can be depending on how much you like interior work.
The 2nd and 3rd time, it gets easier.

As for me, Ive gutted entire cars, not only my Solara, numerous numerous times.

Its like a puzzle to me.
You gotta take out certain pieces to be able to take out other pieces.

Plus the hardest part is the interior work.
Thats why its so expensive to take it to a shop.
Most of that labor your being charged is getting all the interior out just to able to reach the top strut nuts.
After that, its a walk in the park changing out the struts & springs.

Really quickly whats the site to where I can get OEM carpets for discounted prices? I remember there is a site for wholesale prices on parts... Anyone?

^^^ yo make your own thread mang!

LEE337 wrote:Its actually not that bad.
Well, the 1st time ever doing it might be a bit frustrating. It can be depending on how much you like interior work.
The 2nd and 3rd time, it gets easier.

As for me, Ive gutted entire cars, not only my Solara, numerous numerous times.

Its like a puzzle to me.
You gotta take out certain pieces to be able to take out other pieces.

Plus the hardest part is the interior work.
Thats why its so expensive to take it to a shop.
Most of that labor your being charged is getting all the interior out just to able to reach the top strut nuts.
After that, its a walk in the park changing out the struts & springs.

ohh great, lol. Have you worked on a GEN 2 yet? Is it the same?

SoSleek wrote:^^^ yo make your own thread mang!

SoSleek wrote:ohh great, lol. Have you worked on a GEN 2 yet? Is it the same?

Ive yet to gut a Gen 2/2.5 Solara.
Im pretty sure there are some Gen 2 owners on here that have.
If I had to guess, it would be that they are pretty dam close.

Check out the Haynes or Chilton manual as well.
Most of the info I got when I was first starting out with cars, all came from those books.
Its good stuff when your wiring up complete audio systems and you need to know where stuff is at.
There is some great info in those manuals.

I've removed my rear seats when swapping them out, and pulled the rear deck out for speaker swaps. Neither are difficult. Just hop in the back and start pulling, easiest way to figure it out. If you have any in depth questions, try to pm ADAMnQuickSOLARA.

GzNutz wrote:I've removed my rear seats when swapping them out, and pulled the rear deck out for speaker swaps. Neither are difficult. Just hop in the back and start pulling, easiest way to figure it out. If you have any in depth questions, try to pm ADAMnQuickSOLARA.

Do you remember how everything was connected? I just dont want to break any clips or anything.

rear seats not too bad to take out.

the rear seats are held by a PITA clip. put ringers under the seat cushion and pull up.
should pop out.

remove the door sills, 4 under there.

remove the door seal from the back portion

pull c-pillar panel,

take side panels, these were fairly easy, 5 clips i think.

next is the trim around the trunk access, after the 60/40 seat backs
are folded down.

then remove rear deck or lift and loosen the struts.

thats how i remember it...I ended up sound deadening most of the stuff
back there since the panels were already out.