lowering a vh wagon

[yobbo88]

I'm fairly clued in on suspension systems in general but what im not sure on is what cars i can swap gear out of. Are springs and stuff from vb-vs (possibly vt) interchangable? Im not looking for all out performance my car isnt a race machine. I just want a good low look and maybe better handling.

Can anybody let me know what i should look out for on ebay etc? My local pedders will put a package together and install it for $600 but ive heard that particular shop is super dodgy and just cut your springs and paint them yellow so i wont go there...

Thanks guys and girlsh

[starfire vc]

hey mate. springs used in th vb's right through to vl are all the same so any of them would fit into ur wagon... iam guessing vr vs springs cud allso be used used but iam not 100% sure...i'd say u cudn't use vt springs as they hav a independent rear ..i reckon ur best bet wud be to get a set of king's through repco,they do em pretty cheap.....there not to hard to put in yourself if u got a bit of mechanical know how and a big enuff hammer.....probably shud look at gettin lowered shocks too...as for pedders cuttin spring's! mayb pedders china..

[yobbo88]

Yeah im an apprentice mechanic so i can do the work myself so thats all good but what comes with being an apprentice i also earn **** money so pricing is a problem. Ill definately talk to repco might even drive out there today and find out. The pedders near me is a franchise and yeah i hear nothing but bad things about them but thats ok. thanks for the advice man. Ill look into shocks too.

[yobbo88]

Ok ive priced king springs and monroe shocks through my work and the prices are decent but i have two options. "low" and "super low". "Low" i can bolt straight in no worries and it will also be legal height. "Super low" i can get for the same price as "low" but would need lowered shocks for the rear and "super low" would most probably be illegal. Are "low" springs all i would need for a good look for the car or would i be dissapointed? honest opinions im 19 and a cool car is obviously a must (waves little pinky)

[DANNY8]

Here's my VK which has lows (King Springs) in it. Also has shortened shockies (Monroe).....altho the tyre on the other side is a flat 15"...so it sits a little lower at the moment then wat it should.

Lows make the car look low, but not to low. A cop thought mine was defectable so I got him to measure it up and I can still drop it another 10mm.

[yobbo88]

what size rim is that in the photo? thats fairly low, enough for me at least. I'll go the lows i think i dont really feel like gettin defected. Thanks for the info.

[gslrallysport]

Ok ive priced king springs and monroe shocks through my work and the prices are decent

What do you call decent? For Monroe's to be decent, they' want to be VERY cheap!

[DANNY8]

what size rim is that in the photo? thats fairly low, enough for me at least. I'll go the lows i think i dont really feel like gettin defected. Thanks for the info.

That's an 18" wheel....but just a rough guide, the 'lows' make the top of the tyre just sit up in the guard a fraction, depending on load etc etc. I'll try and look for another pic of my old VH with 15's on it with the lows in it.

Here's the pics of my old VH with the lows and 15's...





It doesn't sit very low, but just a bit lower then stock. Then obviously it drops a bit when ya get in.....well if ur a big fella anyways haha.

[yobbo88]

ok so lows and a set of decent wheels will basically create an illusion of lowness... that sounds alright. the shocks i got priced for were about 200 a pair i think dont really remember

[gslrallysport]

the shocks i got priced for were about 200 a pair i think dont really remember

Ok, save your money, and get KYB which are better shock anyway! For Monroe (which aren't typically known for their quality) to be decent they need to be dirt cheap!

$185 for the front pair, and $120 for the shortened rear pair, both in KYB.

[KiwiKommy]

A question I have is how much ride comfort is compromised by "low" springs?
I love driving my commy, she is such a comfy ride, but would love to lower it to get rid of the offroader ride height.
I dont want to turn it into a noddy car, and fear putting "lows" in her will have me feeling every little bump in the road.

Cheers

Drew

[DANNY8]

I'm sure new lowered suspension would have to feel better then old stock suspension in the old girls

[yobbo88]

yeah my ride right now is rough as guts compared to other cars i drive at work. The only car ive been in thats rougher is my mates vp with chopped springs in it, its the dodgiest car gettin round. Anyway all this info is awesome looking at all this i can get rear springs and shocks for $230 and front springs and shocks for $295. not bad