Well, since I have been spending a lot of time fixing the PO's mistakes, I have decided to just bite the bullet and start improving on my 42 year old technology.

taking out those no hop bars on the lowered ride was a big improvement. Good job figuring that one out Derek. you pulled that out of your arse on that one and was just what the doctor ordered.

I finally decided to get a nicer smoother safer better handling enjoyable nifty ride... thanks to reading all of Derek's many many posts and advice from other members.

Keep in mind I am a Daily Driver in the Hollywood. Mostly street driven with some highway use. Occasional burnouts and hauling ass down the street from time to time. I will also go on a trip up the coast to Oakland about 3 times a year.

Here Goes:

* 1965 SS
* 350/TH350 (eventually upgrade to 200r4 or gear vendors for the OD.)
* 15" Ralleys
* 1 1/8" Front Sway Bar from OPG
* 1" Rear Sway Bar from OPG
* Stock Upper Control Arms
* Boxed Lower Control Arms
* Rubber Moog Bushings from OPG on the Rear
* Eibach Springs Pro Kit (1.3" drop in front, 1" rear)
* Bilstein Shocks
* Stage II package from SC&C
* 4 Wheel Disk Brake Kit from Right Stuff Detailing or Pirate Jacks

Now on to my questions and concerns.

1) How does that list look? Will everything combine nicely to see improve my ride? Is there anything that sticks out? Anything that won't work together or is a waste with my application? Am I missing anything?

2)Now the 15" Ralleys... I won't be getting bigger wheels. No offense intended to guys running 17s and above. Just my personal taste, I like how the 15's look on my car. Moving on... Now I know this limits me on the brakes, but is there more? This is one of the concerns I have. If I am only going to be running 15's, will I be improving my ride noticeable at all or just wasting money. For example, is getting a stage 2 package from SC&C going to improve anything since I am not a big rim guy?

3) I currently have a 2" drop all around via OPG drop springs, but will be replacing them with the Eibach Springs. I have been reading this board night and day. As I understand it, the Eibach's will only drop the rear 1". So i may get some clearence on the collectors there. Very minimal at best but it will help. However, if I understand the stats correctly, if you take the 1.3" drop from the Eibach springs and the .5-.75" drop from the SC&C tall ball joints that come with the Stage II kit, my front should be sitting at around the 2" drop is has now. Is this right? 1.3 + .5-.75 = ~2"

So basically with my car, I want to make sure that all the components listed above will work together to make my car run safer, smoother and all around much better than it does now. but i am worried that I am missing something or maybe doing a little overkill on my car.

Also, I am sure I am missing something in my list.

Before I pull the trigger on this, I need to know I am doing the right thing here and it will be worth the time and expense. As always, thanks for your help.

btt

Sorry I missed this topic Jim. I've been working on the wife's car every night, so I haven't spent much time here lately.


* 1 1/8" Front Sway Bar from OPG
* 1" Rear Sway Bar from OPG
* Stock Upper Control Arms
* Boxed Lower Control Arms
* Rubber Moog Bushings from OPG on the Rear
* Eibach Springs Pro Kit (1.3" drop in front, 1" rear)
* Bilstein Shocks
* Stage II package from SC&C
* 4 Wheel Disk Brake Kit from Right Stuff Detailing or Pirate Jacks
This all looks very good, but I'd opt for the Stage II+ package. :)


1) How does that list look? Will everything combine nicely to see improve my ride? Is there anything that sticks out? Anything that won't work together or is a waste with my application? Am I missing anything?I'd recommend a steering linkage rebuild (if it hasn't been done already) and Grand Cherokee quick-ratio box swap as well. Search JIML82's posts for tons of info on the steering boxes.

2)Now the 15" Ralleys... I won't be getting bigger wheels. No offense intended to guys running 17s and above. Just my personal taste, I like how the 15's look on my car. Moving on... Now I know this limits me on the brakes, but is there more? This is one of the concerns I have. If I am only going to be running 15's, will I be improving my ride noticeable at all or just wasting money. For example, is getting a stage 2 package from SC&C going to improve anything since I am not a big rim guy?The car will handle unbelievably better after all this, and aside from the handling improvements, the SC&C package will also improve tire-life. The problem with 15" tires is that there aren't many good "performance" tires in 15" sizes, and those that are are very small/short sizes meant for cars much smaller than our Chevelles.

3) I currently have a 2" drop all around via OPG drop springs, but will be replacing them with the Eibach Springs. I have been reading this board night and day. As I understand it, the Eibach's will only drop the rear 1". So i may get some clearence on the collectors there. Very minimal at best but it will help. However, if I understand the stats correctly, if you take the 1.3" drop from the Eibach springs and the .5-.75" drop from the SC&C tall ball joints that come with the Stage II kit, my front should be sitting at around the 2" drop is has now. Is this right? 1.3 + .5-.75 = ~2"Yep, sounds about right.

So basically with my car, I want to make sure that all the components listed above will work together to make my car run safer, smoother and all around much better than it does now. but i am worried that I am missing something or maybe doing a little overkill on my car.All of this will make the car way more enjoyable to drive, and of course safer in and around traffic. It may be overkill for a driver, but you can do it in stages... start with the rear suspension and sway-bars for the easier/cheaper mods to do first. The front will require an alignment, so it's best to do that all at once.