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Coilover options for 3rd Gen Rav4 2006-2012

51K views 44 replies 18 participants last post by  BeatupVR4  
#1 ·
There are several Rav4 users here that have opted for the Megan Racing coilovers, but has anyone ever tried some of the options for the GSA33W 2GRFE 4WD Vanguard?

In my new quest to modify my newly acquired 2009 Sport V6 XA30, I was hoping to improve the handling and possibly lower my .33 drag coefficient. I am used to a Cd of .26 in my previous car and know that I'll never come close to that in the Rav4. But if I can lower the Cd and improve handling, then it would be worth the effort. There is no snow in Dallas, so i have no concerns about height clearance on a lowered vehicle, but all of these would allow me to raise the Rav4 back to or higher than stock height in less than a couple of hours.

Brand:Megan Racing
Price: $900
Part Num: MR-CDK-TR406
Spring Rate F/R: 6K/6K
Features: 32 Levels of Damper Force Adjustment
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Brand: BC
Price: $1000
Model: V1 Series
Part Num: VM-C-54
Spring Rate F/R: 6K/6K
Features: 30 Levels of Damper Force Adjustment
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Brand: Cusco
Price:
Model: Street ZERO BlueSTREET ZERO BLUE
Part Num: 940 62P CBA or 940 62P CBF
SKU: 79869
Spring Rate F/R: 7K/7K
Features: Damping force adjustment - Front: Non-Adjustable - Rear: 8-way adjustable
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Brand: Largus
Price: $744
Model: SpecS
Part Num: 01011209040
Spring Rate F/R: 6K/6K
Features: 32 Levels of Damper Force Adjustment
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Brand: RS*R
Price: $1038
Model: Basic ☆ i
Part Num: BAIT076M
Spring Rate F/R: 6/6.3
Features: 36 Levels of Damper Force Adjustment
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Brand: RS*R
Price: $1274
Model: Best ☆ i
Part Num: BIT076M
Spring Rate F/R: 6/6.3
Features: 36 Levels of Damper Force Adjustment
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#2 ·
No Comments... thoughts?

Megan and BC coils are made by the same company...BC made in Taiwan.
Megan are considered Stage1 and BC are considered Stage2
Megan – good for light street use. These are good units for people on a budget.
BC – great for street use, hardcore cornering, and track use. I felt that the BC are a better quality unit.

I'll keep looking for more info on the Largus, Cusco and RSR.
 
#3 ·
Still haven't made a decision. No one else seems interested in this but me - so this is more just for online note keeping.

Megan doesn't appear to be a good option. Those who have them installed, the lowering capability on the rear seems to be less than some of the other options. Since BC makes Megan coils, not sure if they would give me the lower capability that i want either. Cusco has the stiffer 7K spring rate but its only 8 way adjust able and like Megan and BC doesn't have the lowering capability that i want. Largus isn't popular so there isn't a lot of info out there but looks promising for lowering capability and price. RS*R are the most expensive options, have the best lowering capability. Difference between Basic and Best version is the Best is 36 way adjustable.

Brand:Megan Racing
Part Num: MR-CDK-TR406
Spring Rate F/R: 6K/6K
Features: 32 Levels of Damper Force Adjustment, capable of handling a +2kg/mm or -2kg/mm change in spring rates, Monotube design.
Ride Height Adjustable Range - no info


Brand: BC
Model: V1 Series
Part Num: VM-C-54
Spring Rate F/R: 6K/6K
Features: 30 Levels of Damper Force Adjustment, Choice of spring rate
44mm diameter piston
Ride Height Adjustable Range - no info


Brand: Cusco
Model: Street ZERO BlueSTREET ZERO BLUE
Part Num: 940-60P-CBA or 940 62P CBF
SKU: 79869
Spring Rate F/R: 7K/7K
Features: Damping force adjustment - Front: Non-Adjustable - Rear: 8-way adjustable
Ride Height Adjustable lowest drop: F -50mm R -40mm


Brand: Largus
Model: SpecS
Part Num: 01011209040
Spring Rate F/R: 6K/6K
Features: 32 Levels of Damper Force Adjustment
Ride Height Adjustable Range: F: 713mm - 805mm / R: 765mm - 810mm


Brand: RS*R
Price: $1038
Model: Basic ☆ i
Part Num: BAIT076M
Spring Rate F/R: 6/6.3
Recommended car high adjustment width (mm) F/-15 - -60 R/-20 - -70
Recommended car high (mm) F/-30 - -35 R/-45 - -50
Maximum adjustment width (mm) F/0 - -110 R/-20 - -70


Brand: RS*R
Price: $1274
Model: Best ☆ i
Part Num: BIT076M
Spring Rate F/R: 6/6.3
Features: 36 Levels of Damper Force Adjustment
Ride Height Adjustable Range: F: 713mm - 805mm / R: 765mm - 810mm
 
#6 ·
I know you were originally concerned about lowering your Rav4 due to the weather - These guys can make custom setups that allow for additional clearance over stock during winter and lowering for all other conditions.
 
#5 ·
Pretty sure I'm gonna move on a completely different brand. CEIKA - they are a smaller company that started in Australia - now in Tawain that do mostly custom parts. Even the Coils aren't sitting on the shelf but are made to order.

https://ceika-store.com/search?q=Toyota+RAV4

CEIKA said:
Our coilovers have been put to the test by a lot of customers worldwide on a daily basis, and they are loving the quality, reliability and durability of our coilovers as well as our excellent customer service and support.

We have had many professional rally drivers or racing teams comparing our coilovers and the ride quality along with famous racing suspension brands.

We have also had a WRC/top-end suspension builder in Australia inspected and dynoed our coilovers, and they reported that for the price it was excellent value and better quality compared to much more expensive brands. (They build $8000~ pro rally and racing suspensions).

Whether looking for comfort or high performance racing suspensions, contact us and tell us what you need and we will advise you the best suited setup for your use and budget.

At CEIKA, our passion for performance parts and motorsports does not stop at providing quality parts to our customers. We are also car enthusiasts/horsepower addicts and building performance cars from chassis to engine building/tuning is also our main hobby.
I'm looking at purchasing these:

Custom Front Spring Rates (8kg/mm)
Custom Rear Spring Rates (6kg/mm)
Valve Type - Standard High Performance Valves with valving matching your spring rates
Front Top Mount - Standard Alloy top plates with inner rubber bush
Rear Top Mount - Standard Alloy top plates with inner rubber bush
Custom height (extra lowering) and customized shock travel.

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#35 ·
2 weeks later after purchasing the CEIKA coilovers - they are finally shipping from Taiwan. Will post when they are finally arrive.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

After 3 years, 6 months, 13 days ago - these Ceika coilovers are going strong. I typically have them set to firmest ride setting but still no issues and excellent improvement on performance handling. Highly recommend these coilvers for sure.
 
#12 ·
I think you found some pretty sweet options there. And I like that you guys post stuff like performance options.

I think people are silent for a couple of reasons, but try not to let it discourage you because it's not personal. I feel like for myself and most people on here our Rav4 is an excellent all around'er vehicle and there's a lot more interest in keeping them in tip top shape and saving money on repairs versus any kind of performance stuff or trying to change the look. It's more about having pride in a well oiled machine that looks and drives well like it just came from the showroom floor than owning them as a kit car/performance car. The other thing is the Ravs are/were designed to be A-to-B mom-mobiles with some more utility to them, they were never really intended to fabbed on. The 4.3 gens with the V6s have a lot of potential to them for their weight, size, and power but they also don't really have any aftermarket to back that idea up so everything is a reach on them.

Which is sad but just is what it is I guess. I like your guys' creativity and trying to change that. In my experience coming from owning two Miatas and seeing friends with Tacomas and FJs where there are worlds of options to change every aspect of the vehicle, I've just come to the conclusion that if I want to tinker on a level like coil overs then I gotta buy the vehicle that is/was designed for that kind of world and not the otherway around. That's why I ordered and stuck with the factory suspension upgrades on my recent swap, I've just run into this issue in the past of trying to stick a square peg into a round hole and realizing it's too much of an uphill battle.

Looking forward to seeing how they handle once you get them in!
 
#13 ·
#18 ·
I tried Megan racing

I tried a variety of suspension setups on my 13 RAV4EV. Bought Megan racing kit but after trying their springs and doing my won spring rate measurements, I realized their springs are way off the mark, but the shock absorbers were decent, so I kept those.

The Ceikas look appealing, especially with the custom springs!

Does anyone know what the rates are for comfort, sport, etc?
thanks
 
#20 ·
Not saying your incorrect, but those spring rates seem off. I would think minimum oem sport spring rate would be around 6kg (336lb). But my 8kg (448lb) front and 7kg (392lb) rear setup when on the softest strut/shock settings felt squishier than the oem Sport setup.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk
 
#21 ·
Not saying your incorrect, but those spring rates seem off. I would think minimum oem sport spring rate would be around 6kg (336lb). But my 8kg (448lb) front and 7kg (392lb) rear setup when on the softest strut/shock settings felt squishier than the oem Sport setup.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

Is yours an EV?I actually measured mine using a good quality spring rate gauge.

I also measured the meagn kit but forgot the number (rear were in the low 300's and fronts were in the 200's maybe)

Your rear numbers are close to mine, but front and definitely around 125lb.
hmm....the plot thickens.
 
#22 ·
Stealing the thread a little here, but are there coilover options for the front shocks that will allow me to retain stock height? I’m getting a lift kit, but the tire size I want is going to rub the shocks where the springs start. Coil overs would fix that issue
 
#23 ·
Stealing the thread a little here, but are there coilover options for the front shocks that will allow me to retain stock height? Iâ€[emoji769]m getting a lift kit, but the tire size I want is going to rub the shocks where the springs start. Coil overs would fix that issue
I imagine it's the same with all, but the Ceika kit I bought would allow me to lower, keep oem ride, or raise the rav4. All while improving the ride and giving you 32 different valve adjustments for a firmer or softer ride.
 
#28 ·
Sorry to bring up an old thread. I'm looking at purchasing the Ceika coil over kit. I want be be able to adjust up to about 30mm or 1 1/4 inch below and up to 25mm or 1 inch above OEM high. Just curious if you, TEKSMRT selected O.E.M height or Raised height option when ordering?
Also did the front coilovers come with mounts for the swaybsr links?
 
#29 ·
I've put it back to oem ride height b4 and had room to go higher and I chose "extra low" for adjustable ride height option.

Mounts for sway bar links are there, but it didn't come with the links themselves.
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#30 ·
Hi TEKSMRT, thanks for the quick response. It's interesting you got the extra low kit and can to stock height. In email correspondence with CEIKA they said the OEM height option would only just go to stock height not really above. How do you find the 8kg front and 7kg rear compared to stock springs?
Lastly did you opt for the adjustable strut top with camber adjustment or regular set tops?
 
#31 ·
They don't/didn't offer anything stiffer than 6K rear. IMO those were still too soft. I've never liked a soft ride. Didn't think sport and run flats was stiff enough...but that's just me. Ended up with a Eibach 8k rear spring 3"ID and Draco 2.5" to 3.0" Coilover Spring Adaptor.

"Lightly modified" - too many mods to list...
 
#42 ·
After looking for 3 months I finally settled for north woods full suspension overhaul. ill post pictures when I’m done. It was between the Northwoods, Megan, or Godspeed Coil overs. I had very good experience with Godspeed and Megan for my Honda and Miata builds but wanted something lifted instead of lowering. I’m done with the stance life lol ! For 1300 shipped the north woods is badass!
 
#44 ·
Hi Everyone,

I'm interested in going with some coilovers for my 2012 v6 4wd as the shocks are leaking and on their way out.
I see Megan Racing Coilovers were mentioned here but I can't seem to find if they fit the 4wd variant, as the official site said only FWD.
Toyota RAV4 06-12 / 13-18 (FWD) - Street Series Coilovers - MR-CDK-TR406

There's tons of threads asking about this but no conclusive answer. I see in the initial post TEKSMRT was looking at the same Megan ones.

Does anyone have these installed on their Rav?

I've also considered either of these options below: (For context I'm in Canada)
Godspeed Project TOYOTA RAV4 (XA30) 2006-12 MAXX COILOVERS
SKU: MMX3820
Godspeed Project TOYOTA RAV4 (XA30) 2006-12 MONOSS COILOVERS
SKU: MSS0187-C

Any thoughts from you guys?
 
#45 ·
There are a couple aftermarket parts that get labeled FWD only but work fine with the AWD. My rear sway bar was one of them.

They will definitely physically bolt in. The only thing I can see being off is the rear spring rate might be a little low for the additional weight in the back. Statically you can adjust this out with the height adjustment but dynamically it might not feel as controlled as it should. And I don't love linear springs in the back of wagons/CUVs. They might be great unloaded but put 400lbs back there and they can squat like crazy. It might not be an issue for a lot of people but I drive wagons/CUVs cause I use the space all the time for hauling stuff.

This could normally be fixed with just a spring change but since the springs in the back aren't on the coilover I'm not sure of the availability of aftermarket springs in that diameter.