related questions's here?

My '89 Buick Le Sabre is shortly going under the knife for a PST super front end kit install. While I have it all apart (for powder coat and wheel well paint) I want to gain about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of ride height.

I already have Monroe Severe duty shock in the parts pile, but need a part number for a spring set that will give me the lift I want and help take the "wiggle" out.

It's also time for tires. I want to run the tallest and widest tire I can.(I think we all want the "steamroller" look, right?)

I would really like to keep the stock turbo rims. (see my avatar) Keep in mind, I'm going to be doing a bunch of hiway towing. I have been told that, Light truck tires will have a stiffer  sidewall and help reduce the dreaded radial wiggle.

At this point I'll take all the help I can get.

I lumped the questions here just to keep the responses in a single location. Right-Wrong, Comments

Thanks, Paul

All right then, 50 views and no response, I can take a hint.


I found moog 586 listed as stock replacement front spring, but many posts touting the Moog cc623 as a front replacement.(at least that's the way I read them)

All the listings I found show the cc623 as a rear spring replacement. Are you guys really putting the 623's on the front? What is the net ride height GAIN? (long range plans call for a ground pounder 500 Caddy engine, built 200-4R, and dual batteries,bigger radiator, oil cooler and aux trans cooler, for a net gain of around 200 Lbs up front)

I really need to nail down the ride height before I can join the tire height/rim dia. and width battle.

As I said before the main objectives here are lift the front ~ an inch. And find some tall, stiff sidewall tires (to stop the radial wiggle when towing) I'd like to keep the turbines, but they may be too narrow to accept some wider tires in the 15's without the return of the dreaded wiggle and generally mushy handling. Any thoughts?

Tryin' again.

Paul

Maybe someone should move this to the "Boxy" forum, I would assume the Boxy people may have more info for you.

In my experience the taller the tire the more play or wiggle as you call it...I would investigate light truck tires. If my memory serves me right there are several links or references to spring sizes and heights in the older threads. Pretty well covered topic. No tone intended...

Hey there I hope this helps MOOG spring # 8000 has a higher spring rate and load height verses the original cc644.

cc644 install height 7.50 inches, load pounds 925, spring rate 122, free height 15.25 uninstalled

8000 install height 10.44 inches, load pounds 2555, spring rate 436, free height 16.42 uninstalled

I think you should maybe go with a caprice stw # 5376

5376 installed height 12.00 inches,load pounds 1886, spring rate 319, free height 17.92 uninstalled

the 8000 series would be way to harsh, the 5376 worked well on my old boxy.
as for tires lt2357515 will help the wobble as well as give a nice ride.
all of this worked for me very well. I am a retired mechanic and have experimented with full size chevys for many years. I now sell autoparts for a living and have access to all sorts of info.
let me know if this helps.
as for your shock issue, I found that two wheel drive suburban monotubes work amazing.

Thanks very much for the response. I found 4 LT235 75 R 15's.
They only spec out as an inch taller than the 225 75 15's that were on it when I bought, (worn out and blistered under the tread. with a really annoying side to side "sashay" when slowing to a stop)

I got the fronts installed last week, They fill the wheel well nicely, (At rest, the top of the tread is just visible below the trim) black wall out, MUCH better handling. The rears get done next week. (damn, I hate living on the edge)

I also found an outfit called BC Fabricators, that claims to have a kit to bag both front and rear of my '89. All the steel parts for $120.00, pump, tank and controls extra. (I already have some useable bags) I'm currently working with them on a design more suited to the stock suspension travel, perhaps  in the range of 2" higher - 2" lower than stock, not interested in laying frame with a tow rig, LOL. If the rears work out well, I'll look into the 5376's as that amount of lift in the front is  going to work fine with the slightly taller tires.

These guys bag all the big caddy's, Lincoln's, Impals's and dually pick up's so I guess they understand how much a Boxie really weigh's.

What I really wanted was LT 255 75 R15, but I couldn't find any on the east coast and shipping from Californica was a deal breaker. Oh well, maybe next time.

I'll try to post up some pic's and get your comments

I may just bag the rear first and go with the 5376's and the shocks I have for a while...
Thanks again, Paul

always glad to help. looking forward to pictures I miss my boxie

Redcaddy I dont think you would like the tire squat of a 255/75/15 on a 7" rim.

Handy little site I found, you put in a tire size and it gives you size breakdowns as well as comparisons to similar sizes.

http://tire-size-conversion.com/tire-size-calculator/

I put 255 70 15 on my roadmaster and they handle terrible, next year back to lt2357515

I'm a little surprised that I bought the optimum tire for my rig, the first time out. Usually it takes several try's before I get it right. Must be the good advise I'm getting here...

Are the turbo/turbine rims really 7 inches wide? They didn't look that wide when the kid was changing them, and I didn't think to measure the bead to bead inside measurement.

Now, If I can just get through the bagging process without screwing up, I'm golden.

Thanks, Paul

Hey Paul,

Not sure if anyone answered your question on the Moog CC623 but they are a rear application most who fit them mention an increase in ride height of about 1.5 inches. This is on 91-96 model years. I was looking to keep the stock height but increase stiffness and went with CC625 but they are not installed yet. Jeff

Hey, speaking of shocks. When I bag the rear, I want to keep the OEM style airshocks. Obviously not with the stock air pump and control linkage. (what I have is all trashed, anyway) I think the shocks now installed will be a very handy fine adjustment tool for towing and a ride tuner when not towing.

What do you think of the idea of changing to adjustable shocks or even going to Shockwaves (shock/bag combo)

What say the smart pigs?

Paul