74 88 Convt sits too low, what do I need?

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Old Jun 9, 2015 | 10:56 AM
  #1  
1yesfan's Avatar
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74 88 Convt sits too low, what do I need?

I do not like how low the rear of my car sits. I am told it about normal. I put 6 bags of mulch in the trunk this weekend and it dropped WAY low.
Should I be replacing the shocks or springs? Springs even aval for this car?
What about Air shocks if the springs are weak to help take some burden off of them?
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 11:14 AM
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Most likely both springs and shocks need to be replaced, but to bring the car to stock height it would be the springs. I am sure Moog has the replacement springs for it.
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 11:24 AM
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springs something I can do with regular hand tools (not repair shop equipped).
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 12:15 PM
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springs diff for a convert to a coupe?
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 12:26 PM
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don71's Avatar
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Tim, you and your ride would probably like new springs and shocks. I don't see a problem with the availability. You should be able to get them no problem.

It seems you drive this car a lot. Air shocks are a possibility too. You'll find a lot of folks don't like'm because they ride rough, and thats a valid opinion. I'm old school, and load my car with stuff just like mulch, and people. I use air shocks for that reason. I like the ability to adjust ride height.

If you've ever owned an El camino you know what I mean.

Not crazy high jacker stance though. Its possible to run into a problem with introducing too much load on the shock mount. Its not made for a lot abuse, but never broke one.
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 1yesfan
springs diff for a convert to a coupe?
Yes, more than likely. Research the different models spring rates and go from there on your choice.


http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com...il_springs.asp
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 12:31 PM
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If it is not raining I will drive it to work and a around town drive on the weekends.
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 01:19 PM
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It's not hard to change the springs, but it's best if you have 2 men, so that one can pull the wheel down, and the other can push the opposite wheel up - it's a bit tougher to get rear springs in and out of a B-body than an A-body, where they practically drop out.

Just check out the Moog spring listings.

Another alternative is a doughnut-shaped spring spacer that fits under the spring and raises the car an inch or so - the speed shops sell them for about $20 each.

- Eric
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by MDchanic
It's not hard to change the springs, but it's best if you have 2 men, so that one can pull the wheel down, and the other can push the opposite wheel up - it's a bit tougher to get rear springs in and out of a B-body than an A-body, where they practically drop out.

Just check out the Moog spring listings.

Another alternative is a doughnut-shaped spring spacer that fits under the spring and raises the car an inch or so - the speed shops sell them for about $20 each.

- Eric
If you can't get another guy to help you to pull the wheel down, what I do is I get a small floor jack and place it under the other side wheel to jack it up so the other side can go down.
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 03:30 PM
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That's what I've done, too.

- Eric
Old Jun 10, 2015 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by ELY442
If you can't get another guy to help you to pull the wheel down, what I do is I get a small floor jack and place it under the other side wheel to jack it up so the other side can go down.
Yeah! What he said. The "teeter-totter effect." It works even better with the shocks disconnected. Since you're likely changing those as well anyway.
Old Jun 10, 2015 | 09:04 AM
  #12  
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You HAVE to disconnect the shocks, especially on the fullsize cars.

- Eric
Old Jun 10, 2015 | 09:11 AM
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If the springs could pop out with the shocks in place that would be a bad design, for they would, like if you catch air over a hump.

With the shocks out and changing springs, be careful not to let the rubber brake like get tugged on. Distach or whatnot as required.
Old Jun 12, 2015 | 06:49 PM
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The springs offered at the parts stores do not give any kind of a decent ride height. 1 spring fits 20 different vehicles? Best to install the new springs and get air shocks to make up the difference. I run 8 lbs in my rear air shocks to give me proper ride height. If I want to go to the store and put a few hundred pounds in the trunk I just add a few pounds of air.
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