Lowering Advice

[89berlina]

In the near future I plan to lower my VN wagon. I was thinking of getting myself some Kingsprings (Superlows). I was wondering would you need lowered shocks for these? Ive just replaced the front shocks and Im afraid Ive wasted money if I have to replace them with lowered shocks. Also how much less comfortable would it be? Any advice?

[levymetal]

unsure of the type of spring in my front but i was told that unless you go SSL (or SSSL?) or lower you can use standard shocks. for rwc they told me i needed shorter rear shocks so the springs don't fall out, but they never fell out before... my car's not that low.

as for comfort, my car sometimes bottoms out over big bumps but maybe i have crap shocks/springs/both. but i like firm suspension, it makes me feel sick when i see cars bouncing up and down when they go over a bump.

[Morton]

Front: Pedders Sports Ryder or Monroe GT Gas are recommended shocks. There is no such thing as a "shorter" shock for the front, but there are shocks which are designed to cope with the shorter travel of aftermarket springs. You will find that standard front shocks will quickly flog out with superlow springs.

Rear: Short shocks are recommended here. I've seen a spring fall out the back of a car before.

At the end of the day, if you put good sports shocks in with your springs, your car will handle ten times better than it would with flogged out standard items. If you want the car to handle well, put good shocks in. If you don't care how it handles, don't lower it

[levymetal]

ah, so at least i didn't waste my money on those rear shocks then! i think it's time for new front shocks anyway, cars shouldn't bottom out like mine and it doesn't handle that great either.

[89berlina]

Okay, thats very interesting. Thanks for the advice. Will have to get myself some rear shockies then. Im not going to lie and say I was honestly lowering to improve handling. The reason I wanted to lower the car is because I think it'll make it look a little more sporty and less like a family wagon with mags.

Although now Im thinking that handling is also an important factor. Had a few scares in the rain in the past with other cars Ive owned. I reckon you need all the grip you can get, especially with a VN.

[Morton]

Glad you're making the choice to get some good shocks ^_^ It's worth it - trust me.

And you're right, especially in a VN you need all the handling you can get They're a barge to start with, and it's a long road to good cornering and grip But good shocks and good springs are a fantastic start.

[89berlina]

Glad you're making the choice to get some good shocks ^_^ It's worth it - trust me.

And you're right, especially in a VN you need all the handling you can get They're a barge to start with, and it's a long road to good cornering and grip But good shocks and good springs are a fantastic start.

Just another question. How badly is your camber affected with Superlows? Would lowering the car significantly affect tyre wear?

[Morton]

It's effected a little bit. I remember my wheel aligner telling me that I had roughly 1.5 degrees negative at the front of my VP when it was on superlows.

It's enough to enhance your handling a little bit, without shredding tyres. And as you have live axle at the rear, I wouldn't worry about your rear camber. Any negative camber will wear tyres a little, but I personally aim to dial even more negative camber into the front of my VQ in future.

[Ozzie]

dunno if the strut tower nut is the same as a vt...

but any idea what size spanner ill need to undo it? is it 22mm or 23mm?

[savage1987]

yea as mentioned shocks definitely worth the money. I still need to adjust my konis properly, haven't really played with them... but the car stops better among other things if you do have properly matching shocks

Front will camber a bit when lowered, adjustable strut tops make it an easy fix.

Sam

[89berlina]

dunno if the strut tower nut is the same as a vt...

but any idea what size spanner ill need to undo it? is it 22mm or 23mm?

Im pretty sure its a 23mm. Well thats what it was on my VN. Not sure how different the VT is.