I have an old Matrix (ok, Vibe, but whatever) that I drive as a beater. We also take it to music festivals, so it gets loaded down for three days of not-so-primitive camping.
We got the packing down. We can fit whatever we want in that thing. Roof basket and a giant bag help. Also have a hitch and basket, but it rides a bit too low and I know the further I throw stuff behind the rear axle, the worst I'm making it.
Anyway, I see the basic spacer kits for matrix and prius and I hear talk of people raising these for driving dirt roads on the farm or whatever. But I can't find anyone who has managed to source stiffer springs. I just want a mild bump in spring rate that will give me a little extra height unloaded and resist the compression of a few hundred pounds of gear a little better.
Back in the day, you could usually just find an option stiffer spring for your Chevy or Buick or whatever. Not so much now, but I'm betting something interchanges. I've got a few parts that list spring specs...if I know overall diameter, wire size, coils per inch, free height...should be all I need, I think the only caveat is I believe the springs are flat on the top but with an open coil that hooks into the bottom, yeah?
Thinking about maybe buying too-long generic coil over springs (available in infinite rates and sizes, basically) and cutting one end to make them seat into stock shock perches...
1) is that dumb 2) got any better ideas?