Technique to lower the ride height

hi af people,

As I have seen few people asking about how to "dropping" :D LOWERING the ride height of a model car, I think it is useful to share the technique I used.

The pics below are illustrating how to lower the front suspension part of Fujimi S14/S15 and Integra DC2. Please accept that the pics is hand drawn, and is not in scale, but hope it can help you.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/214573sus1.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/626148sus2.jpg

cheers,
Joe

Great How-to!

I will use this method in the future. :D

Fantastic mate, very helpful.

You mentioned that the How-To was for the front suspension, can this method be used for the rear? If not is there any chance of a How-To for the rear suspension? Thanks again.

Originally posted by BOOSTD
Fantastic mate, very helpful.

You mentioned that the How-To was for the front suspension, can this method be used for the rear? If not is there any chance of a How-To for the rear suspension? Thanks again.

for the rear susp part, it would be using the similar technique. However, the bottom part of the suspension arm varies from kit to kit, but it would be the same as for the front susp ( THAT IS to make the arm towards upside instead of lowside. (tough to explain))

Great info :

Thanks,

:bandit:

Joe,
Nice how-to and drawings. Crystal clear!!

Thanks

Murray

good technique!

thanks a heap for this!

i have lowered most of my cars but they all look shit because i just took the springs out.

i will HAVE to use this method for my next cars.

thanks a heap for this!

i have lowered most of my cars but they all look shit because i just took the springs out.

i will HAVE to use this method for my next cars.

you welcome man.

I just knew the diagrams are working again. I made the diagram 6 months ago as a lot of ppl here wonder how to lower their Fujimi cars. Let me know if you need other help.

- Joe

Great how to. Very detailed drawings, and explains it very well.

so this would work for the Veilside S14 also?

so this would work for the Veilside S14 also?

Why don't you check? :rolleyes:

It probably will. :screwy:

Sorry for being rude but sometimes you have to do you part of your work to.

Joeclaw gave you the tutorial, you lucky enough to get the tutorial now it's your turn to do you job. You can't expect to have everything handed to you.

so this would work for the Veilside S14 also?

All the Fujimi S14 and S15 series share the same chassis. So my tutorial works for the veilside. :)

To make lowering the chassis even easier, if slightly less to-scale, try this:

Instead of cutting and swapping and regluing the suspension arms, simply extend the 'pin' at the bottom of the steering spindle, the one that meets the lower suspension arm and allows it to pivot. This will let the spindle, and thus the wheel, raise up into the fender when you trim the spring, but it will still keep everything lined up with the lower suspension. Simply take up the slack with some small washers or spacers made of styrene, so the wheel doesn't droop when you pick the model up.

This method shouldn't look too out of place, if at all, for most cars and anything buy a radical drop.

will this method work on the civic?

To make lowering the chassis even easier, if slightly less to-scale, try this:

Instead of cutting and swapping and regluing the suspension arms, simply extend the 'pin' at the bottom of the steering spindle, the one that meets the lower suspension arm and allows it to pivot. This will let the spindle, and thus the wheel, raise up into the fender when you trim the spring, but it will still keep everything lined up with the lower suspension. Simply take up the slack with some small washers or spacers made of styrene, so the wheel doesn't droop when you pick the model up.

This method shouldn't look too out of place, if at all, for most cars and anything buy a radical drop.

Got a pic?

nice, but an easier way to get the uspension arms up higher is to heat the joints above a candle till soft, then just bend them upwards,much stronger, but good technique...so what about the steering at the front?

I say just build a complete working suspension! haha, j/k

how about instead of cutting ALL THE WAY through the lower control arm, only cut halfway, then it will bend easily, then bring it up to your spindle and fill the gap in the LCA with epoxy, or styrene. this is how I have done it for YEARS, and haven't had a working steering front end fall off yet. you will not lose any detail from the kit, and it all looks like it should be that way.

I say just build a complete working suspension! haha, j/k

how about instead of cutting ALL THE WAY through the lower control arm, only cut halfway, then it will bend easily, then bring it up to your spindle and fill the gap in the LCA with epoxy, or styrene. this is how I have done it for YEARS, and haven't had a working steering front end fall off yet. you will not lose any detail from the kit, and it all looks like it should be that way.
That's the same way I do it as well.:sunglasse