I am really proud of myself (rarely that happens) for the job I started and halfway completed last night. My wagon sits a lot lower in the rear (figure sagging springs) and I know it would be a lot easier to work on the rears, and raise back to normal height, but I really like how the rear sits. I decided on taking the front coils out and taking (1) coil off (figure it will drop 1.75" to 2" and level the car out. I have never tackled this task before, but always wanted to. I am fairly mechanical, just never did this before. All in all, with getting set up with the tools and cleanup of tools, I got the first side done in my driveway in about 4 hours. if the rain holds out, I will get the chance to do the other side and see how it turns out. Wish me luck!
Yup - can't wait to see the pics!!! Here's a side shot of mine, which has a 2" drop. I love how it sits and rides - I expect that yours will be similar...
I finished up my front coils on the wagon today. I cut (1) coil from the bottom, and looks very close to 2 inches of drop. The first side I did last night took about 4 hours...(never did the job before)...and tonight took about and hour to finish up the driver's side. I LOVE the way it rides and handles now........very glad I did it! Get this.....the driver side shock was only mounted to the lower control arm........they ran it through like it should be, and put the lower bolts in, b ut the shock is broke (or something;fully compressed and locked) and then they just had the upper mounting bushings and nut on the top, not attached to anything! I've been driving this thing for a couple of months with no shock on the front driver, and didn't see any signs of it. In fact, I still can't. I'm going to put new shocks all around, but that blows my mind! Before: After: 1987 Cutlass Salon...Still Olds-powered F41 333 Olds V8 (1966 330 block, bored) Kozek buillt 200-4R Cragar Soft 8s (15x8) Kumho Ecsta 225/50/15 never gonna get done! 1983 Cutlass Cruiser 3.8v6 Former --- 81 Cutlass, 84 Calais, 69 Cutlass S, 81 Regal Good Guys
Wow - make a guy blush... Your car looks great! I always did like those matching rally wheels - it looks really good!!!
Thanks guys. I have had my wagon for about 2 months now. Drive it everyday. I leave the 2000 Sierra 2500 in the yard (at least when my fiance' doesn't drive it). The interior of the car is cherry. I would say an 8 out of 10. THe headliner is still in great shape! The power antenna still works, too! Those are always the first things to go on a g-body. Loved G-bodies all my life, and wagons, too.......I have an 87 Salon that I have been scrimping for 3 years building.....have a 1966 330 going in it......actually thought about putting it in the wagon, but decided against it.......leave the v6 in it for now. I actually hate to think of messing with the car, the way it came from the factory. Hate the power (or lack thereof, actually). I wasn;t sold with proof of this, but the car may actually have only 42000 miles on her.....FOr the shape it is in for an 83 it is possbile, but I have no proof. I did a carfax and the only mileage that came up was when first titled with 45 miles. I am the 5th owner, though. 42k, or 142k, I don't care. I love the wagon the way it is. This thing is 100 times in better shape then my 87 though.......suspension wise, it looks new compared to the 87......
Yup - they're great cars - I love mine. The antenna thing is interesting - mine is in the windshield glass... Must be they went to power antennas after '80...hmmmmmmm...
My earliest wagon memories are of our 76 (I think) pea-green Volvo wagon, First year for FI, and never wanted to run. The Volvo was traded in for an AMC Hornet wagon, brown with woodgrain....loved that wagon. I was about 5 when we had it, and Mom wrecked it. We then got a Caprice Classic.
