Raising the rear

67htc · 07-01-2007, 05:02 PM

I am wanting to raise the rear of my '67 Cutlass by about 2 inches. The original coils have collapsed over the years. The front coils have also, but not quite as much as in the rear. No; it has never been used to tow anything.
I don't mind the car being "lowered" a tad, but I don't like the rear being lower than the front. I'd rather have a little "rake" on it. I'm thinking that if I put new coils in the rear; that will take it higher than I want.
What would be the best, longest lasting, most reliable, way to achieve this? I'm not crazy about air shocks. Maybe air bags?
Thanks, in advance for any suggestions. Be gentle. I'm an "old fart".......(62).

joe_padavano · 07-03-2007, 07:45 AM

First, I agree that Cutlii tend to look low in the back even when the rear springs aren't sagging. The best way to do this is new back springs. Anything else (air shocks, bags, etc) require constant attention since they tend to lose air over time. I'm not, however, a fan of the jacked up look. What I do is get stock height HD rear springs and cut about one full coil off the front springs. This gives me the rake I'm looking for without jacking the rear. Oh, and I usually use BFG 245/60-14 fronts and 255/60-15 or 275/60-15 rears, which helps the rake.

07-01-2007, 05:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
67htc Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern Cascades Posts: 18	Raising the rear I am wanting to raise the rear of my '67 Cutlass by about 2 inches. The original coils have collapsed over the years. The front coils have also, but not quite as much as in the rear. No; it has never been used to tow anything. I don't mind the car being "lowered" a tad, but I don't like the rear being lower than the front. I'd rather have a little "rake" on it. I'm thinking that if I put new coils in the rear; that will take it higher than I want. What would be the best, longest lasting, most reliable, way to achieve this? I'm not crazy about air shocks. Maybe air bags? Thanks, in advance for any suggestions. Be gentle. I'm an "old fart".......(62).

07-03-2007, 07:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
joe_padavano Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,875	First, I agree that Cutlii tend to look low in the back even when the rear springs aren't sagging. The best way to do this is new back springs. Anything else (air shocks, bags, etc) require constant attention since they tend to lose air over time. I'm not, however, a fan of the jacked up look. What I do is get stock height HD rear springs and cut about one full coil off the front springs. This gives me the rake I'm looking for without jacking the rear. Oh, and I usually use BFG 245/60-14 fronts and 255/60-15 or 275/60-15 rears, which helps the rake. __________________ Joe Padavano 64 Jetstar 88 Conv 66 442 L-69 Conv 68 W-30 69 H/O 69 442 70 W-30 72 442 84 Custom Cruiser 86 Caprice wagon (w/307 Olds)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode