[Hal_396]

I have a 69 chevelle with stock springs and shocks with 15 inch rims, p215-70 & p255-60 tires. The nature of this combo makes the car "appear" to be at a slightly nose up attitude. I was think of cutting 1/2 to 1 coil out of the front springs. There are lowering springs available that claim to lower it 1 inch but I'm looking to lower it 1/2 inch or so.

Anyone have experience lowering there chevelle? Putting 14 inch wheels in the front is not an option for me.

Thanks,
Hal

 

[69velle]

I'd like to know what the options are as well...my 69 has aluminum heads as well and the front is about an inch higher than the back, even with same diameter tires.

 

[Phil Keller]

You could switch to a 215/65/R15 tire and reduce the diameter by .85 inch which would lower the front by .43 inch...almost half an inch.

 

[von]

My SB Malibu sat a little high in front so I cut 1/2 coil out of the front springs. That brought it down about an inch. Any more would bring it down too much. BTW no saw blade would faze the spring steel, even the best sawzall blades ($$) I could find. Had to use a die grinder with cutoff wheel.

 

[bubba68ss]

i have a metal bandsaw that cuts right through springs. A very good investment if you do a lot of metal work.

 

[GRN69CHV]

Been dealing with the same issue. Had 1" lowering springs in there - ride height was nice, but suspension was too hard for my tastes and poor at best for drag racing. Stock (35 year old) springs in there now. Ride ht is just where I want it, but going to alum heads also and probably no A/C. Installing QA1 coilovers - problem solved.

 

[ssal396]

I had the same situation with my car,when I got my new tires I went with a 295-50-15 in the rear with a 235-60-15 in the front & it seemes to make it look like it has a SLIGHT rake to it..

Maybe later when I get home I can update the pic in my signature..
Scott

 

[d1_bradley]

I used a 'cutoff' wheel (air powered) on my springs. Works great.

 

[69ssmike]

I think all the BB chevelles are that way, helps em hook ya know!!!

 

[musclecarjohn]

I have a 69 chevelle with stock springs and shocks with 15 inch rims, p215-70 & p255-60 tires. The nature of this combo makes the car "appear" to be at a slightly nose up attitude. I was think of cutting 1/2 to 1 coil out of the front springs. There are lowering springs available that claim to lower it 1 inch but I'm looking to lower it 1/2 inch or so.

Anyone have experience lowering there chevelle? Putting 14 inch wheels in the front is not an option for me.

Thanks,
Hal

Keep in mind that if your springs are original and 36 years old,they probably have sagged a bit.I recently put 2" lowered springs on my '70 Z and it actually only lowered it by about an inch.Supposedly they "settle" a little after 500 miles or so but I haven't gotten there yet.

So if they say they'll lower the car by 1",it may actually only be 1/2" which is what you're looking for.

 

[69chevelle69]

hello i have a 69 malibu thought id give my .02 my tire combo is 225/70 225/60 bf goodrich t/a 15 inch rims so same tire height but i have 1 inch lowering springs on my car and have a pretty nice rake i cant get pics for you but i have no problems with the nose sticking up i like the rake stock height springs in the rear i measured from the floor to the front part of body/header piece above the rad support(above the headlight covers) 30 inches from the ground and then at the rear right where the taillight meets the body i measured 42 in height maybe that will help..... see how close your rear measurement is to mine and that might give you an idea (the fronts are a little low on air) hope this helps

 

[Hal_396]

My SB Malibu sat a little high in front so I cut 1/2 coil out of the front springs. That brought it down about an inch. Any more would bring it down too much. BTW no saw blade would faze the spring steel, even the best sawzall blades ($$) I could find. Had to use a die grinder with cutoff wheel.

Thanks All who had input. I should have mentioned that it was a Big block, fairly new stock springs and have alum. intake, valve covers, pulley's and brackets, battery relocated to trunk and a mini starter and an open air cleaner. Also deleted the windshield washer stuff. I suppose none of this individually would make much difference but all of this combined adds up.

I will follow von's lead a use a cutoff wheel to remove 1/2 coil max...... If I'm still not satisfied, I try the 1 inch lowering springs and if needed, remove 1/2 coil out of those. Give me a month or so and I'll let you know the results guys.

Thanks for all the input.........

 

[Johnny B.]

It could be me (old school and everything) but all of the 69's I have
seen that sit low, look big and bulky. The rounded off 69 body style
is just to bulky looking when sitting at stock height, not to mention
lowered. Add the stock wheel and rim size and you have what looks like
a bathtub rolling on donuts.

IMHO, the 69 looks great nose slighty up and resting on Moog station
wagon springs in the rear.

Lets face it, our cars are all about nostalgia. Sitting up and looking
beefy is what most of us remember. If were not for our fond memories,
we would not be paying 35-40,000 for these cars.

 

[RWS]

I agree with Johnny B about ride height. Way to go!

Thanks,

RwS

 

[RT]

I've noticed that for 69's with similar diameter tires, the car seems to look great when the center of the wheels align with the top of the rocker panel.
My Malibu convertible sits slightly higher (or it looks like it does) in the front and I feel it should come down slightly. Maybe some day I'll pull the front springs and cut them, but I'm not planning to any time soon. Of course, wheel and tire size plays into the equation here.
My .02
Rich

 

[Dave Murdoch]

A pair of air shocks for the back cost about $60, if you can live with a high rear end. That's what I did with my '69 cause I like it to sit up high, with big tires front and back, road racer look. To me this looks more aggressive than lowered, but it's all subjective.