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Required Lowering mods to Lifted 88 DL


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Recently installed New Front struts, SAME STOCK #s as Removed.

Front ended up 2- 2-1/2 inches HIGHER??? If Same Struts how is this possible? Now I find that Lowering the engine may be in order to maintain Steering and Axle angles. Was looking at lowering

1-1/2 inches. I'm having trouble wrapping my head around some of the info on lowering. If I lower the engine and have to mod the block holding the shifter one post says everything moves to the Rear?

Either way, are Mods to Trans Crossmember, Driveline OR ANYTHING ELSE NEEDED?

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Is it a FWD? The 4WDs sat about 2 inches higher, due to the spring perch on the strut being higher. If that's the case, as long as you get it aligned, you shouldn't have any issues. If you don't like it, I think that they combined part numbers for the fwd and 4wd models, with the spring perch being moveable.

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This still doesn't answer whether or not Trannny Mounts, the Shifter "Cube", Shifter Linkage, Driveline, Radius Rods OR ANYTHING ELSE NEEDS MODDED. It is NOT if like it, it's  I'm  gonna tear up axles. My Front Fenderwells  are at 28-1/2". Anybody tell Stock Height for a 4WD? As far as the Perch Height, isn't  that REAR Struts?

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The first thing you need to do is determine whether the replacement struts you got are the same as what you removed. no point jumping to the conclusion of lowering engine, etc if this is what's wrong.

 

A couple of possibilities come to mind:

1. the place you got the struts from mixed up the order. Did you specify FWD or 4wd? They are different

2. the supplier has given up making 2 different shock spring seat heights to suit the different vehicles

3. someone in the past modified the spring seats on your old struts

 

You also need to tell us more info about what vehicle & specs you've got so we can help you.

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Playing catch up to the posts, and one mix up. Vehicle is 1988 4WD DL Wagon. Struts ARE Same as those Replaced. There are NO Strut Mods, they are IDENTICAL, Seats as well. Was under the impression that a Struts Piston (Cylinder? were TOPPED OUT by the Coils. The Springs used were purchased from another member, tried to get in touch with him to get more background on them.

Point being that if the Coils Rate is that much more than Stock, the Struts ARE TOPPED OUT, Hence the Lift.

This escaped me, but now thinking on it I realize that to be Effective the Strut NEEDS Play Both Up and DOWN. I was fine with a Bump, but Strut Hammered on a Hole. As to Struts having NOTHING to do with Shift Linkage, if you have too Severe Axle Angles, which I DO, the Remedy is to Lower engine. Depending on how much will determine additional Mods to Tranny and Radius Rod mounts, Shifter Linkage Length, Shifter Dampening Cube (Hanger? The Maxed Out Strut thing went right on by me, DUH!!! As to the "maybe" comment, not much help, especially when a guys already Lost in the Sauce. A Thank you to All tho, that's what it's all about. Anything else anyone may would be appreciated, particularly if you are in the Know on Cutting Down Coils???

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Your posts are very difficult to read and understand.

 

 

So you installed different springs, too? Anything else?

 

What do you want to do? Do you want to lift it? Or do you want to return it to stock? These things are both possible, so let's focus on one thing here.

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Was NOT aware they were other than Stock Coils, or I could have approached this differently.

The L Front Spring I replaced had basically Collapsed on the vehicle, due to a Bad Strut? OR Bad Coil?

I ASSUMED BAD COIL. Does a Strut SUPPORT a Coil to that Degree??? At the time of Install I had NO choice but to throw it together as vehicle was my only source of transportation. Now dealing with aftermath (Consequences? This is my First attempt at Coilover Mod., and had NO idea that I had even done a Mod, thought Coils were Stock, Same Height, Same Diameter, Same (Wire?, Turn?) Diameter.

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So you had a failed spring, and replaced it with a presumed-good used one.

 

Is the 2-2.5" height difference you mentioned compared to the old ride height (with broken spring)?

 

 

 

I'm going to refer to my previous questions. I probably will stop checking this thread if you ignore them again.

 

Your posts are very difficult to read and understand.

 

 

So you installed different springs, too? Anything else?

 

What do you want to do? Do you want to lift it? Or do you want to return it to stock? These things are both possible, so let's focus on one thing here.

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The L Front Coil I replaced was Bottomed out, I presumed Ruined. I didn't consider Ride Height at that time.. Stagecoaches have more suspension. At present Fr fendewell Height at 28-1/2". A return to Stock would be easiest, so for now thats where I'll  head.

I don't know how to determine the NEW? OR THE OLD Coils Rates. To use the NEW Effectively, wontI have Cut them 1-1-1/2 Turns to get proper Height and Strut performance??? Don't give up on me yet, this is a lot. As it is the engines on the Bench, Head Gaskets and I have quite a bit of Blow by, but that's  a different story...

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Springs sag over time, so yes an increase in ride height will occur with replacement springs.

Even just jacking the car off the ground & lowering again will result in the car sitting higher (until it's driven again)

 

And taking 50 or 60kg out of the front of the car, particularly when it's all in front of the wheels, will have a drastic effect on the ride height.

 

This whole discussion is pointless if the engine's not in the car...

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I wouldn't  Dream of wasting anyones time having this discussion if I were planning to do any Suspension work with engine out!!!

I may be inexperienced, even ignorant as to the suspension issue, but NOT that Fooishl. Maybe just a little slack. Engine out last nite, in and running just after my last post. NOW I can move along.

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I don't think this would change the height. When I did my struts the top part had  a 4 WD position and a 2 WD position changed by the rotation of the top part. it was stamped with an arrow which if I remember I pointed to the front for the type of car I have. 

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