lowering shocks

[jimbolia]

I had adjusters welded and have them set all the way down, which is about a 2 inch drop. The car bounces quite a bit now, but I expected that, at least some. I am thinking about just putting on spindles and moving the adjusters up. But I have read on here about lowered shocks. Are my shocks just hitting their max and lowering shocks will smooth it out some? I can live with a little bounce but it's already getting old.

Also I am going to tackle the rear this winter and would like to be able to visualize what is involved in lowering the rear. Does anybody have or know of any videos or step by step pictures of the process? I have searched the forums and internet and haven't found one yet. I am confident that I can do it but would feel better if I knew exactly what I was in for.

Thanks everyone!

[fatalifeaten]

Do you have stock front shocks now? What about your spindles? Beam narrowed? You mention you have both adjusters turned all the way down, this is not really helping you. With adjusters, you want to set them with some opposition so that they're fighting each other. (IE set one down and one up). This will put tension in your torsion leaves and help take the bounce out. Basically with them both at the same adjustment level, the entire beam travels together in the same direction and there's nothing putting tension on it, so you get bumps. Shocks on our cars are only dampers, they're not really intended to be part of the suspension other than to keep the tires in contact with the road surface.

If you have stock spindles then lowered shocks might help you out. If you have drop spindles, you want a stock length shock. I know that probably sounds counter-intuitive, but with a drop spindle you have the same shock geometry as a stock shock. That's what drop spindles are designed to do. I also tend to like stock oil-filled up front. KYB gas-A-Justs are WAY too firm and the car will ride like a plate full of yuck with them. The 2gr's are significantly better, but also more spendy.

[jimbolia]

Yeah it's all stock up front except for the adjusters I had welded in. So is one for height and the other for spring tension? I was going to get spindles first because I know they keep everything in line just lower but I thought I would save money with adjusters until I got the bill.

Which adjuster should be moved up some? They are both pointed to the lowest setting now. I guess that makes sense that if the neither is putting any pressure on the spring it won't resist.

Thanks.

[fatalifeaten]

You can set either of them, it doesn't matter. I have one of mine set about 2/3 down and the other about 1/3 down. With my setup, that puts me 2" off the ground to the bottom of the lower tube, which is low enough for me in a daily driver.

Saving up for a set of drop spindles is well worth the wait, you'd be amazed at the difference in ride and handling they make.

[jimbolia]

thanks again, I'll play with them and see what I come up with. Just ordered some 145 continentals for the front so that will bring it down more so I'll play with it when they get here. Probably will go with spindles at some point anyway.Thanks!