How to make a wagon handle, without lowering?

[azzaVT]

I want my wagon to handle as well as it can without sacrificing the already limited ground clearance of such a long vehicle. I need it to remain practical, but I'd like to be able to throw it through corners too... what do I need to do?

(The only info I can find anywhere, about wagon susspension, is all about lowering.)

[88GreenVN]

Tyres and shocks.

[ratzy]

the stiffer the suspention the less body roll u will get but if u have hard tyres u will slide like all hell so i agree shocks and tyres are a good start

is it already lowered

got picks?

[azzaVT]

Susspension is all standard, and apropriately soggy for its age, as is most of the car... but it has done only 170k, is still straight, is still comfy inside, and runs as cheap as a 2ltr even though I go everywhere with the climate control on thanks to LPG. It's just not much fun.

I canned the idea of getting a new SS V Sportwagon, in favour of taking a few years off the mortgage, so it's time to freshen up the ol' girl.

So far there's stotted rotors coming, as is Alteza bling bits, strut brace, cat-back exhaust, and a few small trim items.

The tires are still good, they're the same items fitted to Beamers, even though they're on factory alloy 15"s.

Lowering isn't an option due to the large overhang of these things, the roads I travel, and I'd get tired of changing front aprons all the time... if ya know what I mean.

I recently, 20k ago, replaced the rear shocks but the front struts are now due. And will get done with the brakes and exhaust etc.

Should I look into HD springs or should I swap the swaybars for heavier items?

[ratzy]

yeah sound good... i have only had my vt wagon for a month, just put it on vt senotor 18's and am gonna get super low king springs.

were did u get the slotted rotors from? price?

[SMIT]

buy a set of decent adjustable coilovers

[azzaVT]

RDA slotteds, front and rear, with pads $340 and postage... eBay

Plenty of lowered springs available on eBay, BTW.

I'll consider big rims when I've worn out the current rubber... maybe 12 months or so.

Also been considering high ratio lifters, for a bit more go.

[azzaVT]

buy a set of decent adjustable coilovers

Not really sure if they're worth it... ol' VT's aren't pricing well nowadays... and adjustable coilovers would be about 50% of the wagons' value. Unless you've got a good deal for me.

[TUF UTE]

despite the belief of many young people lol..... altezza bling bits dont help handling lol :P

[azzaVT]

despite the belief of many young people lol..... altezza bling bits dont help handling lol :P

No, true, but the fact that one tail-light assembly has distorted, due to lamp heat, was justification of the need to bling.

[VrWagz1]

In my experiance dont go Heavy duty springs in the rear end. My wagon sucks in the rear end. Its hard as a rock and still has plenty of body roll. All that happens is when the rear end goes over a speed bump, it sends you through the front window.

My next thing to try is a HD sway bar if i can get one, i think this will be the best thing to get the rear end body roll out of it.

[azzaVT]

In my experiance dont go Heavy duty springs in the rear end. My wagon sucks in the rear end. Its hard as a rock and still has plenty of body roll. All that happens is when the rear end goes over a speed bump, it sends you through the front window.

My next thing to try is a HD sway bar if i can get one, i think this will be the best thing to get the rear end body roll out of it.

I hear ya... some of those suburban speed humps rattle ma teeth.

I imagine that we'd need a balanced front and rear set of sway bars, to reduce twist in the body.

[virgin commo]

If you dont wanna go heavy duty ... try lowered ute springs, as wagons normally use the same springs as sedans

[5ivespeed]

heavy duty sway bars and strut bars as well

[azzaVT]

I put on front slotteds this morning, and threw on a strut brace too... well... I would never have thought the adition of just one item would make such a huge difference. Even without touching the springs the ol' wagon is better, even straight line on rough roads. Those strut towers must wobble like cows udders when the bulls are let loose!

Oh, yes, and braking is better than ever too.

Next is the rear slotteds, then the springs and some fresh front struts.

[Longman]

I totally agree mate, the best $45 I've ever spent was on a strut brace - completely different car.

[ratzy]

I totally agree mate, the best $45 I've ever spent was on a strut brace - completely different car.

were did u get your strut brace??? i have a vt wagon and want one

[azzaVT]

were did u get your strut brace??? i have a vt wagon and want one

I've got a spare... where are ya located? (PM me.)

[Longman]

I got mine from Holden, $45 plus I spent another $8 on high tensile bolts/nuts for it.