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2023 Ridgeline RTL-E Traxda Lowering Arms Installed (-1.5")

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4.3K views 21 replies 8 participants last post by  Pilk  
#1 ·
Several months ago I installed the Goodwin Racing lowering springs. There is a thread on the install. After installing the springs there was still a slight forward rake, which I can't stand. My wife is a tad bit over 5' so I bought the Traxda rear lowering arms which lowered the back 1.5". The install of the arms took less than an hour and I love how level and lowered the truck looks now. Having the lowering springs and the lowering arms in the rear, the camber is too much, so I bought the Moog rear adjustable ball joints.

Installing the Moog ball joints took about 3 hours. Adjusting the joints was straight forward but it took a couple times to correct the rear camber.

Traxda #202012 Lowering Arms (-1.5")

As you can see, the Traxda lowering arms are beefier than the oem ones.

1. Jack up the truck.
2. Remove the wheel.
3. Remove 3 lowering arm bolts.
4. Remove OEM lowering arm.
5 install the new inner lowering arm bolt then the center bolts that attaches too the shock.
6. Install the outer lowering arm bolt.
7. Torque all nuts to the specified specs by the Traxda install sheet.
8. Install wheel.
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#2 ·
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The Ridgeline sitting in the garage waiting to be polished.

New 20" wheels and tires.
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View attachment 453960
My wife loves how easy it is to get in and out of the truck now. All the chrome is covered with Vivid gloss black vinyl wrap.

The tailgate "H" emblem was removed and replaced with a black and gray tactical US Flag to cover the two small holes.
 

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#6 ·
The ride quality is minimally affected by the installation of the Goodwin springs and the Traxda rear lowering arms. I live in the PNW, and the roads are not so terrible but not good either. I do go alittle slower over speed bumps but other than that I am still extremely happy with the Ridgeline comfort. Infact, my brother was visiting for 10 days, both of us are 6'3", right around 195pds, and my brother talked about the ride comfort every time he was in the RL. Keep in mind, he owns a 2014 Toyota Tundra 4x4 CrewMax (205,000 miles).
 
#8 ·
Yes, it feels more secure and planted to the road. Before it was lowered you could feel the truck "leaning" (body roll) outward when turning. It's feels more precise and engaging. You'll not get that feeling at the OEM height with the forward rake. I thought about buying a sway bar but it feels pretty solid and well planted to the road after adding the springs and the rear Traxda lowering arms.
 
#9 ·
Every day I get ready to decide which vehicle to drive (2023 RL RTL-E or the 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited), I just love getting in the RL. I now love the look, the ride is sporty, and although it gets half the amount of MPG compared to the Sonata, I still love driving the RL. Here are some recent pictures with Mt. Rainier in the background.
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#11 ·
Mild thread ressurection. Did you ever take measurements? I'm installing the Traxda arms first to level my 24. I'll take a step back and see how I like that. My pre-install measurements are:

Front 32 7/8 Rear 35 so a 2 1/8 inch difference.

The Traxda arms are a 1.5" drop and the Good-win's are about 1.5" to 1.75 drop from what I'm seeing on the forum.

My concern is the total rear drop of 3" might be pushing it. Have you ever bottomed out with you set up?
 
#12 · (Edited)
With the Traxda lowering arms installed and I have yet to bottom out. Keep in mind this is in conjunction with the Goodwin Springs. I don't tow any thing but I have had about 5 full grown adults (3 over 200lbs, plus m wife and I) plus all the luggage in the bed...easily 1200 pds and I didn't notice any bottoming out.

If you are only lowering the rear with the Traxda arms, you will get the level look but you will still see a significant amount of wheel well. Mine measures 31 5/8 (1/4 tank of gas).
 
#13 ·
It's been a few months with the Traxda lowering arms installed and I have yet to bottom out. Keep in mind this is in conjunction with the Goodwin Springs. I don't tow any thing but I have had about 5 full grown adults (3 over 200lbs, plus m wife and I) plus all the luggage in the bed...easily 1200 pds and I didn't notice any bottoming out.

If you are only lowering the rear with the Traxda arms, you will get the level look but you will still see a significant amount of wheel well. Mine measures 31 5/8 (1/4 tank of gas).
Really appreciate the response. I am going to start with the lowering arms first. What's your impression of the ride comfort? I just picked up my 25 BE and I'm loving the smooth ride. Might be unrealistic but would love the lowered street truck look with the Caddy ride.
 
#15 ·
Anyone visiting the Traxda website for the lowering arms may have noticed in the notes that their arms will work on Pilots and Passports but will result in the rear being lower than the front. Could a person interpret that as meaning that stock Pilot or Passport arms might lower a Ridgeline? I have the early version of the traxda arms and a Goodwin Racing rear swaybar and love the combination but I think the stock Pilot arms would be worth exploring if someone was wanting to save some money over the Traxda arms.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Or that the Passport/Pilots might be more level to begin with. I measured my wife's 24 Pilot and the rear is only 3/4" higher than the front so a 1.5" rear drop does make the rear lower than the front. The rear of my 24 RL is 2" higher than the front. So maybe the lower control arms on the Pilot are set up lower than the RL?