Hey all, here's something that I've been pondering for awhile. My 72 Cutlass Supreme has been modified with non adjustable coil overs in the rear and it also still has regular rear coils. I was thinking about lowering the rear but would like to go with just regular shocks and coils. It has 275/60/15s on the rear so I don't wanna go too low and have to worry about tire rub. I have about 4 inches of clearance right now but would like to lose about 2 inches if possible.

If I go with a stock shock equivalent would it set too low, or should I go with a slightly stiffer shock just to be on the safe side?

If anyone could post some pics of theirs at original ride height it would be much appreciated!

Dave

 

Shocks will not make a difference on ride height - it's the coil springs that set the height.

275-60-15s will fit in the rear fender wells of a 72 with ease, assuming you have wheels with the proper backspacing.

So do you want pictures of original ride height or the actual measurements from the CSM?

 

Thanks for the reply. Not really interested in stock ride height unless I can get a slight "rake" with the bigger tires.

So if the coils set the height then what do I do? I'm pretty sure the rear coils are stock, but I'm guessing the lift is coming from the coil overs, right?

 

Bump.

 

Hmm...if the ride height is set by the coils then I'm guessing my rear coils arent stock, cuz I'm pretty sure I'm not at stock ride height in the rear.

 

Most likely. So you have both coil springs and coilover shocks? Two sets of coil springs in back? How's the ride quality?

 

Eh...could be better, could be worse. Ya gotta remember from my original post that in one of it's former lives it spent some time running the 1/4 mile so traction was the goal. That's why I wanna lower it a bit.

 

I would get rid of the coil overs and install a new set of rear coil springs to give the ride height you desire.

 

 

That's the plan but I still need shocks to replace the coilovers, and what I'm trying to figure is what shocks to get...

 

I used a 1" spacer under the rear coil spring to adjust my ride height. I put new coils in but w a myriad of options i just picked some HD FE2 like ones and then had to tweak for a slight rake

 

I put a set of Monroe gas charged shocks on mine back, well, a long long time ago. Just get whatever brand/style shock you prefer for a 1972 Cutlass application. The shocks dampen oscillations and do not set the ride height, if you were wondering.

 

If shocks don't make a difference on ride height then why do cars with air shocks sit up high?

 

So again I ask...factory style shocks and coil springs? And are the coil overs are what is giving me the lift in the rear?

 

So by "tweaking" I'm assuming you mean the 1 inch spacers?

 

Take the helper shocks off and see if your ride height drops to where you want it. If its where you want it go to the auto parts store an get some regular style gas shocks to go on it. Post a side view picture of your car so we can see how high it is.

 

Yes, air shocks will adjust the ride height because adding air effectively increases the length of the non-compressible portion of the shock, but "regular" shocks will not adjust ride height- they will just dampen the oscillations while the height is set by the springs.

Yes. Gas charged shocks may not classify as "factory" as they are decades newer than these cars, but for this discussion they are "factory equivalent". And you can get coil springs in various ride heights and stiffness for the ride quality you desire, from soft and floaty up to firm and sporty.

Yes, that is very likely.

 

Lol...that very same idea came to me about a month ago. Guess its time to get the tools out😀

 

In my endeavor to lower the rear on my 72 Cutlass Supreme (it currently has coil springs and coilovers.) I want to lose about two inches.

I measured the ride height (using the guidelines in the CSM) and right now I'm at about 12-1/2.


If I go back to factory style shocks then I should lose the two inches I need, right ?

I know this is contingent on the rear coil springs being stock but I just wanted to make sure I was on point with my thought process.

Thanks,
Dave

 

I merged your 2 threads so we know the issues you were having.

What is the ride height with the helper shocks removed? Can you post a side view of your car?

 

I haven't measured it with the coilovers removed, but I know the regular coil springs are factory equivalent.

 

You asking questions that we can only speculate. Those are not coil over shocks, they are load compensating and will raise the car some. Remove the bottom shock mount and set the car back on the ground. Bounce the rear a few times and measure.

 

Will do and I'll keep you posted.

 

So here we go...I swapped out the load carriers for a set of Gabriel Ultra regular shocks then took it for a test drive to let it "settle". I lost about 1-1/2 inches...not quite the 2 inches I estimated, but close enough.

Here's a before and after...

 

Looks way too high in the back. About 3" too high IMO. Shocks aren't going to 'settle'. What you need are new springs.

 

I agree, are there any spacers under, over, or inside the springs? If not then you need to find a set of springs that will work for the height you want.

Look through the link below and see if you can find the stance you like and pm the owner to see what spring they are using in the rear.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ost-yours.html

 

Yeah it does seem to sit high in the rear. I cant really see any difference between before and after.

What was your front measurement at the location specd in the manual?

I will check mine (72 supreme) fr and rear and post the springs # if your interested. I put new moogs in mine and had to lift the rear 1" after to get a slight rake.

My rear springs might be the size you need, to bring your car down some...

 

Nope...no other springs in the rear other than stock coils.

 

Nope..no spacers...

 

The car does have a slight "tilt" to the left front which I need to investigate. Maybe the driver side will give you a better idea of where I am now. Once I get the "tilt" figured out, I think it will set lower on the right rear and I should be good..this view is where I wanna be...still too high?

 

….and trust me, it does sit lower. My before measurement at the rear was about 12-1/2 inches, now I'm around 11.

 

Sure, that would be great...thanks.

 

@11 inches you are under 1 inch over stock. The biggest issue I see is the front is too low and the drivers front is lower than the passenger front which could be causing the passenger rear issue.

 

I think it would make a big difference if the pictures were taken at 2' off the ground instead of giving a parallax view. I just measured my 72 Cutlass S (running 225/70/14) and there's about 2" over the top tread to the wheel lip. On the back the tread is almost exactly the same height as the wheel lip.

 

Yep...I did a crude measurement on the space between the coils on the front...driver side I could only get the tip of my index finger to slip in. Passenger side I made it all the way to the end of my finger nail...thats roughly 1/4 inch difference. The previous owner told me the front coils were good, but based on my findings, what are your thoughts? Is it time for new front coils, or is there something else I can check?

 

By 2 inches off the ground do you mean lie flat on my stomach and take the pic?

 

Most likely its exactly what you thought. Time for new front springs. That 455 is a heavy beast.

 

Whuut? 2' is 2 feet. 2" is 2 inches.

 

Lol..oops...so the question remains...2 feet off the ground is not that high, so what am I highlighting?

 

Actual angle of the cars rake