I'd like to raise the rear of my car (old school) about 2 inches, Looking for a spacer that will do this, kind of like the 4wd guys do in the front of some of the trucks. Also has anyone cut 1/2 coul to lower the front? How much did it lower it? - I think my car might have big block springs as it sits so high in the front.

Any suggestions, comments?

Thx.

LK

Assuming you have something other then a wagon/elco, you can put the HD wagon/elcamino springs in the rear of the Chevelle. It will raise it up about an inch or two (at least it did in my case). Downside to doing this is wheel hop. The pinion angle will give you a hard time if you raise the rear.

Good luck,
Chris

It's a 70 Chevelle 2dr. It has new springs in it (when I bought it) and I would really like a spacer if possible.

LK

Spacers are the "redneck" solution to it. If you do use them, prepare for a horrible ride and lots of interesting noises from whatever end you install the springs on. New springs are so cheap for our cars I dont see the point to creating a potential safety hazzard to others on the road. Also beware how high you go. When I got my car it had the look you are after, station wagon springs + air shocks, and I already had to fix a shattered ujoint as well as now a leaking seal in the diff from it. I believe it also wore the bearings in the diff pretty bad.

If the springs are very new and you haven't driven it much give it some time and the front springs may drop a little on their own. As for the rear, no harder than it is to pull the springs on the back of a Chevelle I'd just swap springs. Mr.Gasket used to make a decent spacer for the rear of GM coil spring cars that bolted to the lower perch but that was 30 years ago.

What about using air bags inside the spring?

Well, I've used air shocks, currently Gabrial Hi Jackers, for over 25 yrs. Never a problem. Plus they give you the flexibility of raising or lowering depending on personal taste. Now that's "old school".

http://www.budzter.com/spacers.html

I made my own. Used 3 inch steel pipe for the height I wanted, then a peice of 1" on top of a top plate all welded together that I bolted to the bottom perch.

I did this so I didn't have to run high pressure in the air shocks that are on the car. Hopefully soon I can get wheels with proper backspacing and drop the rear a bit and use real shocks. I hate airshocks

http://www.budzter.com/spacers.html


Exactly what I was looking for, Little pricy though. I drew one like that up in CAD today and The operator said that he would whittle it out tomorrow.
How much do the wagon springs raise up a 2 door?

Thx for all of the replys.

LK

jegs has them look in the catolog

I used progressive springs bought brand new and they did not help raise it at all. I made my own just as thunderstruk said and it works fine. Keeps the car up and I have had no trouble with u joints or gears at all.Yes its old school but it cost me nothing to try it and it does the job just fine plus I don't take it to show's.my2cents

I'd like to raise the rear of my car (old school) about 2 inches, Looking for a spacer that will do this, kind of like the 4wd guys do in the front of some of the trucks. Also has anyone cut 1/2 coul to lower the front? How much did it lower it? - I think my car might have big block springs as it sits so high in the front.

Any suggestions, comments?

Thx.

LK
I had some 2" spacers in the back of my Chevelle for years. Never caused any problems at all. Air bags work too but life span is limited. Schucks sells a coil over shock made by Monroe that does the same thing. It firms up the rear a little but not bad. And if they dont raise it high enough, you can drill the lower mounting holes up an inch or so higher and relocate the bottm end of the shock. Why do I know this. Because I have owned Chevelles since 1979 and back then we did whatever we could to fit the biggest tire we could find. Also if you want to run air shocks without the harsh ride just relocate that lower shock mount like I mentioned and then you can run less air pressure.

if you use the spacer below the spring and not in the middle of the spring, your ride height will change but your ride quality will be the same. by adding air shocks or stiffer springs your ride quality will be a harder ride. looked last night and jegs has them made by mr.gasket. if you like the ride quality you have now i would try the spacers, before investing in more springs which may not help you either (same ride height).

If the springs are very new and you haven't driven it much give it some time and the front springs may drop a little on their own. As for the rear, no harder than it is to pull the springs on the back of a Chevelle I'd just swap springs. Mr.Gasket used to make a decent spacer for the rear of GM coil spring cars that bolted to the lower perch but that was 30 years ago.
I've got a set of them ... they're still on my '69, but they're coming off in the spring. They are a pretty decent (& solid) spacer, all they do is raise the lower spring perch height. I had to put them on to clear the big tires in the back.

How thick are the ones on your 69? Are they aluminum or steel?

LK

How much do the wagon springs raise up a 2 door?

Thx for all of the replys.

LK

This was with the wagon springs:
http://img175.exs.cx/img175/3618/wagonsprings0aj.th.jpg (http://img175.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img175&image=wagonsprings0aj.jpg)


This was with the regular springs:

http://img46.exs.cx/img46/7264/8792472022030alb8ix.th.jpg (http://img46.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img46&image=8792472022030alb8ix.jpg)

It may be hard to see the difference because of the angle, but its about 2-3".

Chris

How thick are the ones on your 69? Are they aluminum or steel?

LK

Galvanized Steel. I "think" the spacing is between 2 and 3 inches ... I put them on in 1991, and haven't been under the car in a LONG time.

Got a welder? - make em. Took me about 2 hrs & some scrap metal. I cut out the truck pan so I could get you this picture (kidding) Can get you the particulars/specs if you want them….

http://members.cox.net/renslove70ss/images/1/mvc-004f.jpg

I ended up making a set (1 3/4") on the CNC - They worked great. I took a piece of 3 1/2" 2.750 long round stock and bored a 2 1/2" hole 1" deep in the bottom, In the center of that I put 1/2" threads (to bolt it to the orig. perch) and then the top 1" was turned down to 2.400" and the spring goes around this. Works great. Thanks for any and all info guys.

LK