Lucy - Ride Height Help

[Carlwalski]

Hey guys, Lucy's ride height in the rear seems to have settled & from this settling, she has sagged a little. It's too low for my likings and I'm going to get the springs re-tensioned after the new years. I measured and she's a woeful 24" (just under) in the rear. Front is fine for my tastes (24"). Can some of you guys post some profile (side on) shots of your cars with the heights from center wheel lip to ground. I did some searches and I know MEKs is around 26" so at present I'm thinking of taking her up to 2" max and if not 2" then at least 1-1/2". I will more than likely go 2" to compensate for any settling should it occur.

The funny thing is, in the first photo below, she doesn't look like she's sagging as she still maintains a slight rake, use the sills as guidance. But, it's still to low for me and it's something I've been meaning to fix over the last several months. She never use to sit like this and I'm definitely in the crowd of sag haters lol. The photo shop below is very budget but you get the point and can see what I am aiming for, hopefully have just the top of the tire hidden. It's a 28" overall tire (275/60). I think with the rear ends up and sitting properly they not only make it look cooler but also make the car look a lot lighter.


As you can see, it's bugger all sag, if any, but I would still like to raise the rear more. I don't think it's so much the rake as the problem but the tucked in tires, tucked in is cool but I don't like this much.

Thanks,
Carlwalski

[Carlwalski]

G-Man, you really need to learn before you post. 2" is a heck of a lot. My Jeep in the photos below is 3" over stock, all this for 3"? (see the result below). 2" is a lot and very noticeable to me and others. There are lots of things you can't see while driving, why not drive with space save wheels on?? I'm only worried about what I see as I do it for me, no one else and currently, I'm not liking the look at present.

[Nereth]

I can't put my finger on it visually (which is good), but the second one does look somewhat more aggressive than the first one.

Problem is, I don't think the first one looks bad, I think it looks quite 'stately', and 'poised', in fact. It's a good look. Maybe you prefer the aggressive look, in which case the second does do that for you quite well.

Obviously it depends what you want the car to look like.

[JS23U0B]

Hey Carl, i like the first pic also. My car sets the same way, and i like it. But i understand if you dont.

My 1988 3/4 Ram is just now is starting to sag at 300,000 miles. (new 318/727 at 250,000) The Ram is starting to ride smooth. 

I bet your car rides better now, then if you fix it.   

[nivvy]

Im with the first pic also....makes your car look sleek  

My chally is:
 Rear - 25 7/8
Front - 25

looks lower than is cause of the 28" tires in rear ........

[Carlwalski]

Thanks guys, I do agree that it looks fine  and looking over the photos again I think 2" maybe too much for my tire combo. Maybe 1 or 1-1/2" is plenty.....hmmmm, food for thought. Thanks for the input keep 'em coming.....

[FJ5_440]

How about dropping the front end an inch or so, and seeing how you like that stance.  It would give a little of that rake to the car so it wouldn't be saggy, and would take about 5 minutes and 0 dollars to try out.  Just keep track of how much you turned the adjusters, and you can easily put em back.

[Carlwalski]

I did briefly consider that but I like to drive my cars and dropping it any more would become more of a hassle than a problem solver. I like the front height. I don't think the rear is sagging now, just as others and I thought the tucked in tire makes the car "appear" rear end heavy, but it isn't actually sagging. I think 1" to 1-1/2" will work nicely. Thanks! 

[Jacksboys]

If you look at the picture in my sig, the front is 26" and the rear is 26".   I have 235/60/15 on the front and 255/65/15 on the rear (28 inches).  It may sit a little high for some folks but it handles great and gives me a little more hedder clearance.    

The springs on the back are a combination of the originals and a set of HD Mopar springs.   I have a total of 6-7 leafs and they have not sagged much in almost 2 years.  I also have a set of air shocks on the back, but I only keep 5 psi in them, so they do not hurt the rest of the suspension.

[Carlwalski]

Thanks Jacksboys, looks good to me mate. Looks light!
Do you have any other shots from directly side on? 

[bentpshrods]

    I like a car that has some rake to it---makes it look a little more agressive . When I put new leafs on mine I went with 1" over stock height. It measures 27" at center of wheel well in the back if I remember right.  About 26" in front.  I have the same size tires as you do.

[Carlwalski]

    I like a car that has some rake to it---makes it look a little more agressive . When I put new leafs on mine I went with 1" over stock height. It measures 27" at center of wheel well in the back if I remember right.  About 26" in front.  I have the same size tires as you do.

That looks awesome to me mate, again, such a light look to it. Looks nimble and quick.
That's pretty much how I want mine to look, maybe just cover the rear tire a "little" more (wince).

Do you have any more photos bud? It's hard to believe they're the same size as mine! I believe you, just figure of speech, looks so good.....I think I'm set on 26", 2" more than I am now. Thanks!

[Jacksboys]

Thanks Jacksboys, looks good to me mate. Looks light!
Do you have any other shots from directly side on? 

The lighting stinks on both of these, but you should get an idea.

[Carlwalski]

That looks fine mate, sits very well, again, very light looking which is awesome. OK, I am convinced enough now to go for 2" of "lift" after the new years. I will post photos once I am done. Thanks for everyones help. Bentpshrods, if you can still grab/post some photos of your ride mate that would be cool. 

[cowboy]

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Carlwalski - I absolutly go for your "After lift"  pic. heigth...