Lets cut the chase. I want my car lowered, no exceptions

[JBeezy]

I've cut my front coils(1 whole coil) and nothing happened. It boils down to this:

I want my car lowered to where the front fender is the lowest it can go and still be able to get a proper alignment. I love the stock look, but I'm a guy that loves his car lowered for that perfect look. If this isnt obtainable on the MM, I understand. If its possible, count me in.

If I have to buy some Eibach's or whatever and cut them, let me know. I can do that to.

Here's some examples of some of my cars and you will understand what I'm looking for. These pics are not to try to show off my rides, just so one can get the idea of what I'm trying to achieve.

I WANT MY 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER LOWERED!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/impalasscars/capricepic.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/impalasscars/newqtrshot.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/impalasscars/loweredpics002.jpg

[Joe Walsh]

I don't know how your front end could be at the same level after installing the cut coil springs....:dunno:

Cutting the OEM front coils by 1 full coil should have dropped your Marauder's front end by at least 1/2" -> 3/4".
Then you can adjust the 'rake' by moving the rear suspension (airbags) ride level position sensor accordingly.

[Zack]

WOW, lol

To say after cutting a coil it did nothing is enough for me to completely rid myself of this thread, and any good advice I WOULD have given you.

Put a big ole' tire up front, that should get rid of the gap. :laugh:

[tbone]

I don't know how your front end could be at the same level after installing the cut coil springs....:dunno:

Cutting the OEM front coils by 1 full coil should have dropped your Marauder's front end by at least 1/2" -> 3/4".
Then you can adjust the 'rake' by moving the rear suspension (airbags) ride level position sensor accordingly.

How do you adjust the sensor?

[ctrlraven]

Got pics of your car now?


How do you adjust the sensor?
http://kode3.smugmug.com/photos/227059636-M.jpg

[Blackened300a]

Maybe Krytin will chime in. His car is slammed on the ground.

[Rocknthehawk]

have custom control arms built, then bag it.

/thread.

[tbone]

Got pics of your car now?


http://kode3.smugmug.com/photos/227059636-M.jpg

You da man! Thanks!

I think I'll lower mine about 1/2".

[RocsMerc]

Maybe Krytin will chime in. His car is slammed on the ground.

I was just going to say the same thing. His car is the lowest panther platform car I've ever seen. I know he has custom control arms in the rear, but I doubt that has anything to do with his ride hight. Maybe you should send Krytin a pm.

Also, adding a mach 1 chin spoiler can give your car a lower look.

[Krytin]

I have a little more than a full coil cut off the front - the 255/45's do the rest!
According to the alignment machine when Tommy had the car the frame rails are sitting level front to rear.

[Krytin]

PS - if you do get it as low as you are looking to do in the first post, you will HAVE to modifiy the passenger fender liner/well and wiring harness.
Ask me how I know!!!!

[breeze]

goodluck trying to have it sit like a caprice. all caprices dnt sit the same. some rears stand taller and some sit like SS's

[justbob]

No problems here? car sits nice and low....

[JBeezy]

Believe it or not. I was just as surprised as anyone else here. We cut 1 whole coil off the front. We measured before and after. Came up with the same measurements. I've lowered every vehicle I've owned in the last 7 years and never had this happen. I wanna know why it didn't drop myself. I simply blamed it on the springs since my car only has 31000 miles. I wish I had a logical explanation for this but I don't. That's why I created this thread

[guspech750]

Got pics of your car now?


http://kode3.smugmug.com/photos/227059636-M.jpg
Thanks for the pic. I remember Zack telling me about this earlier in the year. But It slipped my mind. Old age I guess.

[guspech750]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/impalasscars/capricepic.jpg

Those Iroc style rims look really good on the Caprice. I have never seen those rims on a B-body. Looks good.

[Got_1]

Those Iroc style rims look really good on the Caprice. I have never seen those rims on a B-body. Looks good.


agreed! i really like those wheels.

[JBeezy]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/impalasscars/capricepic.jpg

Those Iroc style rims look really good on the Caprice. I have never seen those rims on a B-body. Looks good.

Thanks. I love that car. Looks like no other around here. Everyone else put big wheels on their car and jack them in the air like a truck. I like mine low and mean looking.

[JBeezy]

I took these real quick, but you can see the gap. I have stock tires as well. Too much gap for my liking. I can live with it if I have to, but......

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/impalasscars/c0f1acdc.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/impalasscars/d9d3fa8d.jpg

[ctrlraven]

19" in the front, 20" in the rear, that would help get rid of some of that gap.

Did you cut the coil yourself or have some place do it? I've seen several MMs before and after a full coil was cut and the difference could be seen plain as day.

[2,4shofast]

One full coil out of a stock spring and 20's gets its pretty close...



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v259/shofast/MM/DSC06387.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v259/shofast/MM/DSC06389.jpg

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Cut another coil off and see what happens.

[Zack]

Cut another coil off and see what happens.

Thats not a good idea!

[Krytin]

Two full coils is TOO much!
Less than 1 1/2 coils is the limit!!

[fastblackmerc]

Take the springs out and "bag" it!

[Krytin]

An old picture bu it will do...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_0519.JPG

[Paul T. Casey]

Nothing technical to add, but that has to be the best looking Cappy I've ever seen! Nice work.

[Rocknthehawk]

http://www.yourcustomcar.com/image-files/slam-specialties-re-7-big.jpg

[Blackened300a]

Kinda easy to pick your car out of the crowd Paul.
My car is on the right and I went with a little taller tire in the front to fill up the wheelwell.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/blackened300a/Carlisle%202009/DSCN1382.jpg

[CBT]

Take the springs out and "bag" it!

:lol:Oh wait, you were serious? :puke:

[fastblackmerc]

:lol:Oh wait, you were serious? :puke:

:puke::puke: Never on my car.......

[Rocknthehawk]

:puke::puke: Never on my car.......

Why?

There's a huge aftermarket of performance vehicles using airbag suspension. Not ALL of them are "laying frame".

[BADMERC]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2627/168/14/1040813450/n1040813450_30144372_6441298.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30153218&id=1040813450)

[JBeezy]

^^^^^^This is what I want^^^^^^^ Whats it going to take to achieve this? I have to know!!!!

Do you have any better pics of this


Yes, I cut the coil out myself, me and my mustang buddy. We do this all the time while installing lowering springs on friends cars or lowering our own. No big deal, I thought.

[Chevyguy]

LOL nobody knows why the car did not go any lower??

You gotta loosen the upper and lower control arm mounts and allow the car to drop. Then retorque the arms. Anyone ever take the springs off and notice the control arms don't really move?? The bushings are locked in place with those teeth and the torsion of the rubber is keeping the car from lowering. Same thing for the rear suspension, but those bushings are much bigger and will rotate more.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/images/rear_susp/E4SZ-5A.jpg

[1stMerc]

Pm magindat. His is pretty close to the ground and no gap especially in the rear. Think he's tucking 20's and just got new tires. There's a pic in one of his threads/post.

[JBeezy]

LOL nobody knows why the car did not go any lower??

You gotta loosen the upper and lower control arm mounts and allow the car to drop. Then retorque the arms. Anyone ever take the springs off and notice the control arms don't really move?? The bushings are locked in place with those teeth and the torsion of the rubber is keeping the car from lowering. Same thing for the rear suspension, but those bushings are much bigger and will rotate more.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/images/rear_susp/E4SZ-5A.jpg


Thanks! I knew I wasnt crazy. Now if I do this I'll have to get another front end alignment. $45

[J.bo]

What's the torque spec on those bushing? I'm lowering mine soon.

[Joe Walsh]

LOL nobody knows why the car did not go any lower??

You gotta loosen the upper and lower control arm mounts and allow the car to drop. Then retorque the arms. Anyone ever take the springs off and notice the control arms don't really move?? The bushings are locked in place with those teeth and the torsion of the rubber is keeping the car from lowering. Same thing for the rear suspension, but those bushings are much bigger and will rotate more.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/images/rear_susp/E4SZ-5A.jpg

Good call!.....I forgot about that!
Same thing as members who have put on aftermarket control arms and torqued them tight with the suspension hanging at full droop..
Then after they lower the car back down and drive it for awhile they find that the bushings are ragged out and torn.
(The bushings were clamped/pre-loaded in the droop position.)
I'm still surprised that the bushings could hold the entire weight of a Marauder up at OEM ride height!

[clintons4]

Good call!.....I forgot about that!
Same thing as members who have put on aftermarket control arms and torqued them tight with the suspension hanging at full droop..
Then after they lower the car back down and drive it for awhile they find that the bushings are ragged out and torn.
(The bushings were clamped/pre-loaded in the droop position.)
I'm still surprised that the bushings could hold the entire weight of a Marauder up at OEM ride height!


Are you serious? I didn't think mine was lowered that much after I cut my coils. I thought I just drank too much that night...:beer:

[JBeezy]

I've been thinking. If I pull the wheels and loosen the upper A-Arms, jack up the suspension, and tighten it back down, will they be able to correct my alignment? The shop I use already said he couldnt quiet get the carfixer specs. Here's the results of my alignment. I'm getting new front tires today, and I'm nervous. My factory BFG's are worn on the inside of both front tires, but has at least 60% tread left in the middle.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/impalasscars/f373bf59.jpg

[rocko112869]

was curious...did you loosen the bolts on the control arms and did the car drop?...can you post some pics?

[JBeezy]

I havent yet. I was waiting on some responses from more knowledgable members. I got the tires installed yesterday and I'm going to make the suspension adjustment sometime before next week. I'm off Wednesday and will take it for an alignment then. Wish me luck.

[rocko112869]

good luck...i bought a set of new MM OEM front springs from tasca ford and plan on whacking a coil off em for my 03 MGM....wanted to know how you made out....pics when applicable please! want to see where that fender ends up.

[Joe Walsh]

I havent yet. I was waiting on some responses from more knowledgable members. I got the tires installed yesterday and I'm going to make the suspension adjustment sometime before next week. I'm off Wednesday and will take it for an alignment then. Wish me luck.

Sorry I was too dumb to help!....:alone:

Maybe try cutting 2 or 3 coils?

[FordNut]

I just jacked mine up a little bit with the QA1 adjustable fronts. Can't stand dragging stuff and bottoming out.

[JBeezy]

Sorry I was too dumb to help!....:alone:

Maybe try cutting 2 or 3 coils?


Wasnt meaning anything by that statement. Just wondering with my alignment specs posted If lowering it will prevent me from getting a true alignment. I know there are many that has been down this road, just needing a reply.

Also trying to see if I need to modify the a arm like I've seen others in order to get more adjustment

[rocko112869]

Nooo! Do not cut 2-3 coils....1 maybe 1 1/4 tops is prob all you can cut before the ride gets bouncy! that kinds the rule of thumb...with classic cars its a little different cause the cars are so high and the springs are so soft and floaty that there is alot of room to play...but ride will still get hard and bouncy if you cut to much....lowered a few old cars!

[Joe Walsh]

Nooo! Do not cut 2-3 coils....1 maybe 1 1/4 tops is prob all you can cut before the ride gets bouncy! that kinds the rule of thumb...with classic cars its a little different cause the cars are so high and the springs are so soft and floaty that there is alot of room to play...but ride will still get hard and bouncy if you cut to much....lowered a few old cars!

I was being sarcastic about cutting 2-3 coils. I hope that no one actually believed me.

[JBeezy]

Hate to bring back this old thread, but I still havent loosened my A-Arms to actually lower the front. I'm guessing i will do this Thursday and let my wife drop it off Friday and pray they can align it. Worst case I guess i could pay the shop to grind out the A-arm to get more adjustment and get the carfixer specs.

As far as adjusting the rear is there a good way of telling how low to go with it. Maybe a front to rear comparison as far as measurement? I read it needs to be 3% higher due to traction control, correct?

[Krytin]

No - the rear does not NEED to be any higher than to clear the wheel/tire combo. I have my rear adjustment down as low as it will go w/no problems.

[JBeezy]

Good to know. Thanks!

[fastblackmerc]

I read it needs to be 3% higher due to traction control, correct?

What???

The 3% refers to the relationship of the diameter of the rear tires to the front
tires.

I you have a 2004 Marauder the rear tire diameter has to be a minimum of 3% bigger than the font tire diameter.

[JBeezy]

Lol. Ok. I was going off memory that's all. I have a 2003, and with that being said I'm good. That's fellas

[05crownsport]

Let me first say that I love that fox Mustang in the pictures. Secondly, good luck with the lowering mission, and C.... I went a different route with lowering my vic. I bought a set of 1-1/2" drop springs from detroit eaton spring company and wound up having to cut one coil off. Upon the initial installation I found that they actually made the car sit higher. Yes, I supported the control arm from underneath with a jackstand and tightened all the control arm bolts, but it turned out that the spring rating was higher than stock. So off they came, and after removing one coil I got the desired look. It significantly firmed up the ride in the front end too and I am pleased with the results. There is a pic in another thread on the tires and wheels forum under "lowered with mustang wheels." I'd link it, but alas I am an idiot when it comes to this stuff! Anyway, post up some after shots once the deed is done...would love to see it. Oh... and make sure you contact me first if you ever want to sell that Mustang!:D

[JBeezy]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to do this today I suppose if my buddy makes room in his shop. I do most of my work at his place for the support or even conversation at the least. Its been a long time coming. Seeing pics of another members car lowered made me want to go ahead and do this. Besides, I've already cut the springs, LOL! I'm just hoping the fender sits right above the front tire, maybe 1/2" between the two. Same for the rear if so. Just a little rake...

I'm about to start a lowered picture thread with details. I havent seen anything like that since I've been here.

[Rockettman]

Maybe Krytin will chime in. His car is slammed on the ground.

I had no idea about this adjustment.
I'm having a little trouble trying to "orientate" this picture as it relates to the car though. :(
http://kode3.smugmug.com/photos/227059636-M.jpg

[JBeezy]

If you slide under the rear of your car on the drivers side and look around you will find it. I had to do the same thing. Never touched it though. Should be up towards your rear axle somewhere in that area

[JBeezy]

We made an attempt today. Let me start off by saying before we ever started off months ago and cut a coil I measured from the ground at the front wheels to the lip on the fender above the front tires and both sides measured 28 1/2". After today it measures 27.9". Not low as I want it but I give up. Quick pick when I pulled her back in the garage.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b208/impalasscars/IMAG0007.jpg

[JBeezy]

Heading to the alignment shop to pick up my car. Called and he said he got it lined up within carfixer specs. I find that hard to believe since I really didn't make any changes and he couldn't get them when I took it the first time after cutting the springs. I've been dealing with this guy for years now. Always pleased with his work