There are tons of cars out there that are popular as tuning platforms. We’ve all heard of the established players, especially in the JDM and J-spec realm: the Miata, the Honda Civic, the Toyota Supra, and many others.
However, many enthusiasts are after underrated Japanese cars that aren’t necessarily powerful right out of the box but make great tuning platforms. One example is the Scion xB, known under different colloquial nicknames due to its super boxy shape.
Though it has haters, the Scion xB is a great little car that’s fun, practical, and a pleasure to own. It looks surprisingly neat when slammed too, so if you want to lower your xB, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s a low-down slamming your xB the right way.
What Do You Need for a Slammed xB?
When building a lowered Scion xB, there are a few obvious boxes to tick, which is true for any project car. Generally, with the xB, there are 3 routes you can take.
In the order of cheapest and simplest to most expensive and most complicated, you can choose between lowering springs, coilovers, or air suspension.
Lowering Springs
Lowering springs are a fantastic, relatively affordable way to lower any car, particularly a city runabout like the Scion xB. We strongly advise avoiding the ultra-cheap or knock-off lowering springs though.
When it comes to maintenance or upgrades, if there’s anything on your car you shouldn’t cheap out on, it’s the suspension, tires, and brakes.
Also, if cutting your existing coil springs has crossed your mind, we strongly advise against it. Budget for a good set of lowering springs; with the right mechanics’ tools, you can complete the installation in your driveway without much help.
Note that lowering your xB any more than a 1.5-inch to 2-inch drop and the tires will rub on the fenders. At this point, you can consider rolling your fenders, but be informed that you’ll need the right fender roller tool for the job.
Coilovers
The next step up from lowering springs is a decent set of coilovers. Installing these is more involved, but the benefit is improved handling and adjustability. Again, avoid the ultra-cheap stuff, go for a good set and you’ll feel a world of difference.
Emphasis on “ultra”. Many reputable brands make inexpensive coilovers that aren’t half-bad. They’re a great choice for anyone who needs the lowered ride height and weight transfer more than adjustability and track-ready performance.
If your xB has clocked too many miles on the odo, you might have to replace the lower control arms, as they do tend to rust.
This also depends on the climate conditions of where you drive it, but just be ready to replace them while you’re doing up the coilovers. The 1.5-inch to 2-inch drop rule applies here unless you want to roll your fenders.
Air Suspension
Finally, for the most expensive upgrade, air suspension. This is great if your xB is a show car, allowing you to slam it to the ground when stationary, say if you’re out at Cars and Coffee, but raise it when necessary.
You can also avoid some wheel rubbing issues by opting for dynamic suspension as opposed to static suspension. It’s pretty expensive though and your xB won’t exactly handle like a hot knife running through butter anyway, so it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth the $$$.
Concluding Summary
Those are all the basics on how to build a slammed Scion xB. It’s worth noting that lowering your car in any capacity could lead to other potential outcomes. It can mess with your suspension geometry by lowering the roll center, which could lead to other unexpected issues.
Lowering can also stress the driveline angles and make the ride quality uncomfortable unless your xB is on airbags. If you’re mindful of these things, you can safely enjoy your slammed Scion xB.
