Ride Height

[GreyGoose006]

Hey Guys,

about a month ago i replaced my original shocks with new KYB gas charged shocks.
They are awesome. i love them, except...
the ride height is all screwed up. the car (84 caprice classic sedan) is riding 3-4 inches higher than it was before.
is there any way to get some lowering springs that are not stiffer, as im afrid that this will only make the problem worse.
idealy, i would like to find springs that are 3-4 inches shorter and not too much stiffer.
i need some help here, the new look is killing me!!!

thanks for the help.

[etc.]

Thats a drastic change in ride height, I almost suspect the wrong part was used or installed wrong.

You can source some 1995-1996 Impala springs or some stock Caprice 1977-1996 springs.

If you plan on using any 1991-1996 B-Body springs, dont expect the same ride height as those cars, the boxy is lighter, so you wont get as much of a drop.

But first off, compare the two different shocks side by side to make sure they are the same length

[GreyGoose006]

no they are the same. the new ones are about half an inch longer fully extended, but i dont think that matters much. i got them from the tire rack. the rears are the standard KYB gas-a-just shocks, and the fronts are the police model gas-a-just.

will the stock 77-96 springs even give me a drop at all? that is what i already have. ive got an 84 four door sedan in case you missed it

ive heard that the 95-6 impala springs are two inches shorter but a lot stiffer.

i havent found any drop kits anywhere online

i guess i should clarify that before the new shocks, the fender was about in line with the top of the white line on my tires, and i couldnt touch the top of the tire with my hand because the fender was in the way.
now, i can fit a two-by-four in between the fender and the top of the tire. (the two inch part being the height)

[GreyGoose006]

what about spring compressors? are they safe, im a little unsure, but at $25 it sounds like a great deal

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by GreyGoose006

Hey Guys,

about a month ago i replaced my original shocks with new KYB gas charged shocks.
They are awesome. i love them, except...
the ride height is all screwed up. the car (84 caprice classic sedan) is riding 3-4 inches higher than it was before.
is there any way to get some lowering springs that are not stiffer, as im afrid that this will only make the problem worse.
idealy, i would like to find springs that are 3-4 inches shorter and not too much stiffer.
i need some help here, the new look is killing me!!!

thanks for the help.

Come out here to Mesa, AZ - I am running similar shocks and my car is too low for me! I'd like it to sit about 2" higher.

[GreyGoose006]

are your shocks gas charged? if not, then the car will sit lower.
gas charged shocks contribute to the overall spring rate of the suspension.
new cars were designed with this in mind and use softer springs, but in 84, there was no such thing as gas charged shocks, so they put the car at the height they wanted it.

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by GreyGoose006

are your shocks gas charged? if not, then the car will sit lower.
gas charged shocks contribute to the overall spring rate of the suspension.
new cars were designed with this in mind and use softer springs, but in 84, there was no such thing as gas charged shocks, so they put the car at the height they wanted it.

Originally Posted by silicon212

Come out here to Mesa, AZ - I am running similar shocks and my car is too low for me! I'd like it to sit about 2" higher

Yes, I am running gas charged shocks ... as I stated above.

My point is that my front springs are worn out.

[GreyGoose006]

aha, ill just drive really fast over lots of railroad tracks and wear out my springs then!
jk