I need lowering advice

I want to lower the wagon 1 1/2 - 2 inches. The front is stock and the rear had air shocks but now has Monroe Severe service shocks. What do I need to know and do?

See my previous post for a pic

Oh and are there wheel size concerns?

Like I said in your other thread - IMO, I would get wheels first, because if you upsize, you might like the look better and might not want to lower and affect your stock ride so much.

A few companies do make springs for us, though. Ranging from 0.5" to 3" from what I've seen...


Do you just want to drop the nose, or drop the whole car?

Oh, and also consider that lowering the rear might make rear tire changes a chore with larger wheels.

I would drop the whole car. I think you are right - I will get wheels first. There are a lot of options - I'm thinking 18 inch Ridlers but thats a lot of money! The last wheels I had cost $89.00! each, not 225.00!

A friend said - Do 20's - But man - no side wall. One slightly deflated tire and you have problems. I am going to be doing a lot of highway driving so 18 is as big as can go.

Those Ridlers are AWESOME. A member here, Brokecello has a set that have color-matched spokes... mmmmm.

Ya I saw those - But I wanted them before that! I don't think I will color match them to my White RM

Jim - Least expensive way of lowering it from what I have seen is locate a used set of SS springs, usually when using those in the rear you can get close to a 2" drop. The fronts will also let the front come down some but by losing/cutting anywhere from a half to a full coil gets the front down to where most people like it.

Hope this helps some

1phastsswagon wrote:

Jim - Least expensive way of lowering it from what I have seen is locate a used set of SS springs, usually when using those in the rear you can get close to a 2" drop. The fronts will also let the front come down some but by losing/cutting anywhere from a half to a full coil gets the front down to where most people like it.

Hope this helps some

Awesome advice - thank you. I'm looking at brakes too - I would like to go bigger in the front SS too?

JimR wrote:

1phastsswagon wrote:

Jim - Least expensive way of lowering it from what I have seen is locate a used set of SS springs, usually when using those in the rear you can get close to a 2" drop. The fronts will also let the front come down some but by losing/cutting anywhere from a half to a full coil gets the front down to where most people like it.

Hope this helps some

Awesome advice - thank you. I'm looking at brakes too - I would like to go bigger in the front SS too?

Be careful that you know what you are talking about Bob. I put a stock set of Impala SS springs in my wagon and it raised the front end. The front of the wagons weighs less than the sedans (due to the cantilever effect of the big butt). So the Impala springs having a higher spring rate actually raise our wagons.

JimR wrote:

1phastsswagon wrote:

Jim - Least expensive way of lowering it from what I have seen is locate a used set of SS springs, usually when using those in the rear you can get close to a 2" drop. The fronts will also let the front come down some but by losing/cutting anywhere from a half to a full coil gets the front down to where most people like it.

Hope this helps some

Awesome advice - thank you. I'm looking at brakes too - I would like to go bigger in the front SS too?

Bigger brakes are usually quite expensive, but if you browse the brake section, someone (I think sherlock9c1?) posted a mod using Astro rotors, but it's not a bolt on solution.

BigBlackBeaSSt wrote:

Be careful that you know what you are talking about Bob. I put a stock set of Impala SS springs in my wagon and it raised the front end. The front of the wagons weighs less than the sedans (due to the cantilever effect of the big butt). So the Impala springs having a higher spring rate actually raise our wagons.

Tim,
I understand that, and yes using SS springs with aluminum heads does let the front sit higher I do know that, but with some instances that I have seen they have lowered wagons noses, and if you cut some out the stance is nice.

When I put them in the motor was stock. Front end was up. Heads added the the height. These ate 96 springs. Should be the shortest.

got ya

BigBlackBeaSSt wrote:

When I put them in the motor was stock. Front end was up. Heads added the the height. These ate 96 springs. Should be the shortest.

Can the rear springs be cut? I would like to get it done this week!

So am I understanding this right - you can cut the front - say about 1 coil but the rears?

You can cut the front, but it will not ride as designed!!! And you must cut the correct end. Not sure which it is. Be sure to cut the spring with a cut off wheel and not a torch.

The rear CANNOT be cut.

You cut them from the bottom, FYI.

Wouldn't lowering the car an inch or 2 also cause the front tires to wear unevenly?

Slightly, but I don't know that you'd be able to notice it.
Plus, you could have the front end realigned to bring it back into camber.

jimbeau wrote:

.........
Plus, you could have the front end realigned to bring it back into camber.

I would be sure to align the car and don't take it to Sears!!!! Some one who aligns hot rods or straightens frames would be best.

hmmm - lots to consider!

Fred K. can chime in on alignment on lowered cars. He knows his stuff in this area.

Stingroo wrote:

Oh, and also consider that lowering the rear might make rear tire changes a chore with larger wheels.

Care to explain this theory Einstein ?

What bearing does the ride height have on a car jacked up by the frame?

You are Hardly the person I would take advice From when it comes to wheels coming off.

Then don't - I wasn't giving it to you. Got a problem with me? Take it to PMs.

Stingroo wrote:

Those Ridlers are AWESOME. A member here, Brokecello has a set that have color-matched spokes... mmmmm.

JimR wrote:

Ya I saw those - But I wanted them before that! I don't think I will color match them to my White RM

Color match them to the woodgrain.

Stingroo wrote:

Then don't - I wasn't giving it to you. Got a problem with me? Take it to PMs.

Question still stands Ray,answer it or admit To JimR you don't know what you are talking about.

It has Also been brought to my attention that you read everyones private messages,go to my PM if you need to know who said it.

So you will get no PM from this guy.

Lorne, we can do all kinds of things, but reading your PM's is NOT one of them.

Just an FYI..


Robert

Well it certainly makes a difference with WIDER Wheels. I pulled of my rears to polish the mags a few days before Wagonfest. I wasn't able to get clearance to pull them until the car and wheels were WAY off the ground to be able to tip the tire under the rear wheel well. Pretty much got them wedged where they wouldn't go on or off at one point. Not a job I ever want to do on the side of the road.

Sedan owners don't know all the joy they've been missing.

'93+ sedan owners, anyway.

And yeah... been there, done that, on the roadside. No bueno.

Whenever I pulled those Eagle 28s that Ray has now,,always had to deflate the passenger side
rear tire to remove or install>That was with 225/75/15 tires on them.Now with my 17x8 BBS rims
with 235/50/17 tires I have no problems.And yes it makes no sense to me either!Oh and this was always jacking the car up by the frame rails!

Olds Weighty Eight wrote:

Stingroo wrote:

Those Ridlers are AWESOME. A member here, Brokecello has a set that have color-matched spokes... mmmmm.

JimR wrote:

Ya I saw those - But I wanted them before that! I don't think I will color match them to my White RM

Color match them to the woodgrain.

Dam thats funny! LOL

I just happen to have a set of 1 1\2 inch lowering springs and matching shocks. I'm not sure but can you send a private message on this forum?
Jim
'96 RMW

Jimster1 wrote:

I just happen to have a set of 1 1\2 inch lowering springs and matching shocks. I'm not sure but can you send a private message on this forum?
Jim
'96 RMW

If you look at the lower left corner of the text window you will see a PM in a small oval.

Jim - you prolly already have lowered your car, but i chopped about two coils of front and rear and its fine (came down 2''), a little bouncy but i need shocks now, also im bout to put some beltech 2'' springs and dropped shocks to make it a little smoother. eventually bags ;D and yes you will definitely need to do an alignment!

anacapa94 wrote:

Jim - you prolly already have lowered your car, but i chopped about two coils of front and rear and its fine (came down 2''), a little bouncy but i need shocks now, also im bout to put some beltech 2'' springs and dropped shocks to make it a little smoother. eventually bags ;D and yes you will definitely need to do an alignment!

A while back, I did a write-up on the necessary spacer removal to correct for induced camber with a 2 inch drop. You have to remove .120 inches of shims from all 4 stacks for a 2 inch drop. You will have your camber well within tolerance even for wide tires.

Jim, I have 20's on my 91 caprice, with 245-50 on front and 255-50 on back. Had 245-50 all around when I got her, but had to replace 2 and the 255-50 were all I could find "used" and they have a good bit of sidewall, not acres but a fair bit. The look is good, wheel wells are full in the front, and rear whell is tucked under rear fender. Having owned lowered vehicles for years it is nice not to worry TOO much. Last 2 I owned would not pass over a soda can, on it's side. As far as pulling rear wheels off, I haven't had to yet with this car but I do own a 57 Chevy with rear tires tucked under fenders and they are harder to pull off and put on due to having to jack the car higher.

I went with 235 - 5o-18s The bolted right up - spedo is almost dead on too! Kumho tires - works for now!

Those wheels really look great on your wagon.Cant get over how one set of wheels look good,while another set of similiar design just dont do anything for the appearance.I have
bought 9 sets of new wheels since I started driving and I am always amazed at how a set
of wheels can completely change a cars appearance.