What is the best way to raise 72 lark rear end 1"-2"

I have a 72 convertible that sags a little in the rear. I would like to add 1"-2" of height in the rear without using air shocks, I am currently using new Monroe shocks.
Thanks
Tim

 

Hi Tim,
I'm no expert but I beleive your problem is in the springs. The springs support the car & the shocks dampen the effect of movement while driving. Your coils could be a little tired. Very easy job to change the rears.

 

At one time you could get a one inch thick cast aluminum spacer that sat on the lower spring pad and the spring would sit on top of it. It was a quick and cheap way to raise the rear a little.

I don't know where you can get them now, but I think they were available from the local dealership (if I remember right), of course that was 20 years ago!

 

The springs are what dictate the ride height. If you "sagging in the butt", you probably could use some new springs. Regular height ones are about $95 or so. You can get them from P-S-T.com. I'm not sure about where to get cargo springs, but they're supposed to be about 1" higher, but slightly stiffer also.

 

I think that air bags would do the trick so I can adjust the height right?
Philip, you are using air bags aren't you?
What brand, cost where did you get them?
Thanks
Tim

 

Yes, I am using air bags. But they really don't raise the rearend up much, if any. They just "firm" it up and allow less spring travel, depending on how much air you have in them. I just run about 5-7 lbs. normally and go up to 15 lbs. on the passenger side when I'm at the track.

 

The cheap and easy way.

$5 shock stud extenders
$30 coil over springs

Both will help greatly.

I use them both on my Firebird to keep an even ride hight. I just have the springs
on my Buick wagon.

New rear springs can also fix that but the coil overs are much easier. The shock stud extenders give it a tad bit more boost.

You can also pre load the coil overs if you wish to raise or lower it. Give the right rear more load for the launch.

I put them on unloaded and still go the hight I wanted.






Notice how the space between tire n fender is even front n rear.

 

Dude,
What's all that scalely brown stuff, never seen that out here in SoCal.

 

rear end lift

Tim,
I have a set of lifts, which I just removed from my Buick.
They are the spacer type which Alan described, although these are steel.
I believe they have a 3" lift & bolt to the rear axle housing spring flange.
If you are interested let me know & I will post a pic of them.

Tom :TU:

 

Great, I would be interested.
Thanks
Tim

 

coil spring lifts

Tim,

Here's a pic of the lifts.
They are a 3" lift.
I also have a set of shock extension-
if you need them.

Tom :TU:

 

Did they really raise the car 3"????
I am afraid it might be too much.
Did you have them on your car?

 

Lifts

Tim,

I had these lifts on my buick and
they did lift the car 3" at the axle.
Of course the back of the car at the bumper was a little higher.
You could always cut the lifts to get the height you want.

Tom :TU:

 

How did the car look?
How did it handle?
How much do you want for them?
Will I need shock extensions?
Thanks
Tim

 

Lifts

Tim,

I liked the way my buick looked with the lifts installed.
At the time, I wanted a raked look & the car seemed to handle fine.
As far as weather or not you need shock extensions....
I quess you could disconnect the existing shock where it attaches
to the rear end and verify that it will extend an additional 3"
from it's current location.
I will post a pic of how the lift gets installed if you like.
I would like $25.00 plus shipping for the lifts.
Or $35.00 for both: lifts & shock extensions plus shipping.
Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Tom :TU:

 

Lifts

Tim,

Are you interested in the lifts or shock extensions?
If I am asking to much let me know what you are
looking to spend, we can work something out.
Otherwise, they will just get pack away.
Let me know.

Tom :TU:

 

Tom, I am still trying to decide if I want to try the new carg springs and see what that will do.
Do you have pictures of your car with them?
Thanks
Tim

 

JC Whitney has Rear Springs for Skylarks that will "raise the Rear up 3" or 4", for $70!"

:Smarty:

Even if you decide not to raise it up "that high", it's easy to take a die grinder and Cut them down to your "specified" height (plus, it's CHEAPER than buying "custom" springs or even "replacement" springs, that wouldn't do you much good, anyway.). :TU:

 

Looking thru the Fed-Mog coil spring book, the CS5399 is probably the best bet. It will be ~1.5 inches higher than a new replacement spring, the CS5385, both have about the same stiffness (rate).

Specs:
CS5385 rate=167.5 free length=12.6
CS5399 rate=166.0 free length=14.12

Checking heigth for the 5385 is 9" @ 602 lbs. Calculating the same load for the 5399 gives 10.5" @ 602 lbs (+1.5").

 

Tim,
If it were me (and it was not to long ago) I'd go with taller springs. Fresh springs will really improve your ride height if you have old sagging springs! All the other lifting aids have their drawbacks. I put new stock height springs in and they lifted mine about 1.5 inches and you can get another 1/2 inch or so from the airbags. I got mine from eaton. :beer