Thirtyseven

I want to lift my 70 Cutlass just a bit as i simply like the way it looks. Something like 2 inches. I feel my options are air shocks, spring spacers, or lift bags in the springs. My concern is that the lifting screws up the level of the car and could put too much pressure on the front springs. I will probably lift the front too.

I have two questions for anyone with any thoughts. Knowing that I only drive the car about 1000 miles a year, just local, is the pressure on the front end that much of a concern? And, is there any other type of mechanical concerns that I am not thinking of. I appreciate your thoughts.

MDchanic

So you want to raise the rear of your car about 2", while leaving the front the same height.

When we were younger, all we used to do was swap in a pair of station wagon springs, and it did the job.

A very high lift can be hard on your universals, as well as your lower ball joints, because of the added forces, but I don't think you'd notice anything with 2" except for maybe slightly quicker-feeling steering, due to the increased front traction.

- Eric

chip-powell

Air shocks are probably the most economical way to go if you just want to do the rear. And the great thing about them is that if you think it is too high, just let out a little air.

Fun71

The adjustability of ride height with air shocks is nice for certain. My experience has been that air shocks are stiffer and make for a rougher ride, which gets rougher with increasing air pressure. My car had a set for 10 years or so back in my younger days and I was OK with them. It wasn't until I put new springs in with regular shocks that I realized how stiff the ride had been all those years.

ziff396

Air shocks are definitely hard riding and bouncy. Hate those things!

oldcutlass

Air shocks suck, they constantly leak air and bounce down the road in the winter until you get the oil moving. Use spacers or station wagon springs. Lifting the rear 2 inches will have no significant effect on front end components.

Local Hero

If it was me, I'd leave the rear alone and drop the front instead.

don71

If I were in your shoes, I'd simply replace the springs.

Choosing the right ones is harder than replacing them. A couple of inches of lift won't hurt a thing.

I have air shocks, used them for years. They work for me with minimal complaints.

Changing springs is easier than changing to air shocks, my opinion.

RROLDSX

I struggled with selecting the correct springs and a friend suggested using Drag Bags which go inside your coil springs. I like them. They run at a lower pressure (5-15psi) , you can dial in that perfect stance and they don't seem to affect the ride much. If anything the car handles much better.

z11375ss

Funny thing. Back in my days of college I would go to the student union and pick several girls and only girls numbers off the ride board. I would charge them 5 bucks in gas each way to home and back. I had Gabriel High Jackers and the girls would stuff my trunk full. I would then air the shocks up to level the car. Never had a problem with them. The shocks I mean. It was me and three girls to and from Chicago. Got a ton of numbers that way. Ahhh, to be young again. Now, I put lowering springs in my Cutlass. It looks and handles badass.

joe_padavano

x2

RetroRanger

They sell a spacer you can put under the rear spring they have different heights including a 2 inch one. You maintain the same spring rate and install is about a half an hour. They're about $50 on eBay.

71cutlass350

I used moog #5399 rear springs with KYB #KG5504 rear shocks. It sits nice and high but right now it is also just a stripped body.

Jcavall

Replaced both springs and shocks on my 71 Cutlass with Ridetech A body kit. Working on new rims and tires. I would like to improve my stance just a little higher both front and back say 2" before I pull the trigger on tires and rims.


I am comfortable with these spacers for the rear.


https://www.mcbayperformance.com/3_2...620-mp1623.htm


A little confused on what to use for the front any suggestions??

olds 307 and 403

I know this is an older thread but it is something I need to address. My front sits about perfect but the rear needs an inch or so lift. The air shocks intrigue me. Any brand to stay away from? A slightly stiffer ride is fine with me, it is far from harsh now.

joe_padavano

I would suggest airlift bags inside the springs as opposed to air shocks. The shock mounting points aren't really designed to carry the weight of the car.

oldcutlass

Stay away from airshocks, you can use heavier springs or small disk spacers which are less expensive and work better.

olds 307 and 403

I need to find pics of how a car looks with stock replacement springs. I don't mid the back being slightly higher, just not sky high. I guess spring compressors are in my future tool purchases.

OldsGMC455

I agree, stay away from air shocks. We have them on our current 71 cutlass s, and they ride like crap, and the shock mounts really aren't designed to support that kind of weight. I'm currently trying to figure out what springs to use to make the same stance as my old 72 cutlass from high school. It sat higher and handled like a sports car. I wish I knew what springs it had in it.
Here's the only picture I have of my car when I was 17. It was a tough car.

MDchanic

No need for spring compressors for rear springs on A-bodies.

- Eric

coppercutlass

cargo coils will lift the rear about an inch in my experience.

olds 307 and 403

Problem is, pretty sure my car is sitting lower than stock.

coppercutlass

they sat pretty low in the rear stock. mine has 442 rear springs and sits a tad hi oddly enough but the nose sits low as i have trick springs with a coil cut from them.

olds 307 and 403

Here it is with four 215/75R14's. I currently have 205/75R14's on front with 235/60 R14's rear on aluminum rims. I think 205/75R14's on the front with the black rim and the factory dog dish poverty caps with the white walls eliminated will look good and sit better.

coppercutlass

Looks pretty level. Love the whitewalls

olds 307 and 403

Not a white wall fan, painted over them. I will post pics with the different height tires with dog dish covers.