Okay I have just agreed to buy a '96 Roadmaster. It is in very good condition and I have known the previous owner since I was in high school (I'm 45 now). The car is completely original. I don't want to change much but would like to lower the stance slightly. Any tips and tricks yall could share would be much appreciated! I should pick it up Monday so I will put up pictures then.
You sure you want to lower it? Those things sit nice they way they are and the ride is "Cadillac-like"... you sure you want to mess with it?
The front ends are usually about an inch or two low already from spring fatigue and the rears have the air leveling system so the cars always look like they're going downhill/the body sits at an angle. I put new springs in my OCC and there was a noticeable difference in the way it sat just looking at the car. I wonder if adjusting the compressor switch to make the rear drop even with the front would be a poor man's way of lowering?? If you just want it to look low while it's parked you can always let the air out of the tires or dig four holes and park it in them? If nobody chimes in with info check out the Impala SS forum.
I agree with Super and Vista. The ride in these wagons is very smooth and IMO they are already pretty low riding. Although I do like the look of these wagons sitting on the ground I wouldn't want to do it to mine. But if you are so inclined I found this on the Impala SS forum. http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=279081
There seems to be a stigma in our community about lowering wagons, not sure why really but IMO you can lower ANY vechicle correctly and it will ride the same as it does at factory height. If a person prefers a lower stance then you should go for it. Drop springs are the most desireable and usually ride the same as long as bump stops are trimmed or removed. I completely understand that my own personal drop is a VERY extreme example and reflects my own personal taste, but that being said I think it only enhances the look and originality of the car. A side note here would be to also add that after lowering a car there is a "relearning" period of sorts on driving without hammering the underside, sideskirts and bumper valances of your vehicle. Approaching driveways and gutters at an angle gets some getting used to.
Without doing anything to the existing suspension won't: a. going with 16" wheels and a lower profile tire gain you at least an inch or so. I seem to see these for sale all the time off late model GM cars at $400 or less, often with good tires, for a set of four. b. relocating the ride heigth indicator give you up to a couple of inches.
Ulyses EverittMcGill post some before and after pictures. I like them low but always settle for "a little bit". Never did care to impress anyone at car shows and figure drive height is also show field height. That also goes for those nosebleed stepladder using cars and trucks you can walk under. Yes, I do think they look COOL laying on the pavement.
Thanks for the advice guys! I think I might go with a set of 16" wheels to start with. I have some odds and ends to fix on the car first then I can move on to the bigger stuff.
OK somebody let me in on how to lower the rear facing third row seat! I just got the car home last night and didn't spend a lot of time with it yet but I could not get the back seat to go down.
