So I’ve searched the inter web and have been hitting dead ends. My wife is short and has suffered from arthritis, so her range of motion is very limited. I need to lower her 2014 rx350. Anything would be any help. I’ve seen the thread were someone order from zoom on Amazon japan. But I haven’t had any luck locating anything. Siri is slacking on her translation. I know there’s air and coil overs but I’m looking for a cheaper option if any. If not someone just tell me I can’t lower it.

 

I’ve heard of people using RS-R (Down) springs recently. They make 1.2” lowering springs for the 3RX and 1.6” lowering springs for the 4RX. The 2016+ Lexus RX350 uses the same struts as the previous gen, so you can use those for more drop.

It should introduce a little more stiffness into the ride, but I can’t imagine it being excessive based on my experience. If you imagine it might be too harsh for your wife, you can put in 2014-2019 Highlander Bilstein B4 or B6 struts/shocks for further increased handling & comfort or Sachs for more softness and ride quality at the cost of handling.

 

So your saying the 2016+ AWD springs they have on their website, fit the 3rd gen right. I always wondered what the difference was between springs on fwd and awd.

 

Can’t see why they wouldn’t fit. FWD & AWD springs will fit either or, but the spring rate would be slightly different. AWD springs will likely be stiffer to support the extra weight of the car.

 

Would running boards make it easier for your wife?

 

I had running boards on it. My wife’s situation is a bit different, she’s had arthritis since she was 18 months. So her her knees don’t bend much, so a simple task of just stepping is not possible. So she basically has to kinda fall into the seat and then get in. Just my luck I love lowering my cars. So I definitely want to buy the springs to lower it, but I’m not sure why they wouldn’t just label them to also for the 3rd gen too.

 

I assume it's because they haven't tested them on that model - which is definitely their loss. The 4th gen RX most likely has different spring rates (stiffer from what I've heard) so it's meant to accommodate a slightly heavier vehicle, but it should be alright in terms of ride quality. Lexus wanted that gen to be more sporty and they tweaked some suspension components to try and achieve that (i.e. front sway bar size, spring rate, damper rate/rebound). I have 1999-2003 Lexus RX300 H&R lowering springs on my 2002 Toyota Highlander and it really helped stiffen up the ride and provided a decent 1.4" drop, as well as an Addco 7/8" rear sway bar and a 1" 3rd gen Lexus RX front sway bar on the front so the rear won't have a mind of its own around corners. I'd love to hear how it rides with lowering springs because I seriously need to do something about my 2014 F-Sport, it has way more understeer and a ton of body roll compared to my Highlander - even with wider wheels and grippier, wider tires.

 

Thanks for replying to me Matt. These forums are awesome to have.

 

No problem! I agree, forums have helped me a ton with some niche stuff like this as well!

Good luck with your project, would love to see before and after pics if you go with the springs! 👍🏻

 

Bought 4wd RS-R for 3rd gen. From eBay. I got a decent 1” all around. The perfect amount for my wife to get in and out. So it works perfect on 2wd.

 

Nice. Would love to see before and after just for comparison.

 

This is before, but it’s only an inch. So to me you can’t really tell in pics.

 

Nice job! Thanks for the follow up. How does it feel in terms of driving compared to stock?

 

I can’t tell much. I’m in denial when it comes to ride quality. I love lowered cars, so it can be laid out on the ground and ride like a skateboard. And I’d be like it rides like a Cadillac. But my wife’s says it’s a bit a stiffer (That’s what she said) so I honestly don’t feel a difference.

 

Using shorter springs would make the springs stiffer.....Like if you you cut a coil & half off which'll make the spring stiffer......... I as well has had a quite a few lowered vehicles.....Whether it was springs or c/o's......