Lowering springs

[mac9898]

I have a 99GT and I hate the 4x4 look of it.
I want to drop it 1" to 1.5". I like the H&R springs,
and the Eibachs. But everyone one is telling me I
need to replace the shocks, struts, and even
the CC plates. I don't mind the ride of my GT now,
I just hate the way it looks. Do I really need to
replace this all this stuff? Are there other springs
that I could get so I don't have to replace all the other stuff?

Thanks!

 

[TrueBlue03]

I don't have lowering springs, but i'm pretty sure you don't NEED new shocks and struts. Everyone just recomends them cuz the ride is a lot better.

 

[JonJon]

I don't have lowering springs, but i'm pretty sure you don't NEED new shocks and struts. Everyone just recomends them cuz the ride is a lot better.

I thought they wear out after time and on top of that, lower springs will cause the stock shock/struts to wear out even faster if they are still ok.

 

[Phoenix00GT]

You don't NEED all of that stuff. If all you are interested in is fixing the looks you can just get the springs...just make sure to get your alignment done at the same time otherwise your tire-wear will be uneven and your toe might get dangerously out of line during the install process.

 

[JonJon]

You don't NEED all of that stuff. If all you are interested in is fixing the looks you can just get the springs...just make sure to get your alignment done at the same time otherwise your tire-wear will be uneven and your toe might get dangerously out of line during the install process.

I'm about to get springs too, are you saying if I don't get shock/struts I won't need to replace them soon after?
53k miles.


I thought the general consesus was that if they aren't broke yet (after X miles) then they will soon after lowering it.

 

[GoBabyVroommm]

I just dropped my car today. I put the Eibach sportline with KYB gas shock/strut/quad. The car has a 2inch drop and it looks really nice. I didn't by C/C plates yet but my car rides the same.

The ride feels great. It feels way better than my stock crap. I love the fact that i can take turns crazy now. For everything i paid $600 dollars.

It took use 6 hours to put everything on and we had a impact. DAMN YOU BOLT ON THE CONTROL ARMS.

 

[KaPPaBaLL]

I have a 99GT and I hate the 4x4 look of it.
I want to drop it 1" to 1.5". I like the H&R springs,
and the Eibachs. But everyone one is telling me I
need to replace the shocks, struts, and even
the CC plates. I don't mind the ride of my GT now,
I just hate the way it looks. Do I really need to
replace this all this stuff? Are there other springs
that I could get so I don't have to replace all the other stuff?

Thanks!

get the H&R Sport Springs the rates are lower than most aftermarket springs out there. Around 575 front and forgot the rear but you should be okay with stock struts/shocks for awhile. Just save up and maybe later you can get a new set.

 

[CottonBurnerz]

I just dropped my car today. I put the Eibach sportline with KYB gas shock/strut/quad. The car has a 2inch drop and it looks really nice. I didn't by C/C plates yet but my car rides the same.

The ride feels great. It feels way better than my stock crap. I love the fact that i can take turns crazy now. For everything i paid $600 dollars.

It took use 6 hours to put everything on and we had a impact. DAMN YOU BOLT ON THE CONTROL ARMS.

6 hours? eek...

I will be putting new shocks/struts, springs, and LCA next weekend with no impact or air tools.. just me and teh tool box that I used to install long tube headers..

So.. what's the hardest part that I should be looking out for dude?

 

[stimmler]

1. Aftermarket caster camber plates increase your adjustability. The consensus is about 2 inches. Anything over and you will need them. Take me for instance, I was supposed to get a 1.5 inch drop and instead got a 2.25 inch drop (not good). I had my car aligned right after they were installed and by the time my cc plates came in the mail I already had wear on the edge of the tire. But ever since I got the cc plates all of my tires have been wearing fine. I ended up working out for me, I like the look and its not so low that I scrape anything.
2. shocks and struts will wear out faster. Mine were shot anyway. One of my friends put some on with 20,000 miles and they were done in 1 month. Not usually that dramatic but it can happen.
3. There are also factory springs that lower the car much less, such as the springs on the mach 1/ bullitt (called C springs I think). It wont be a 4x4 anymore, but it wont look lowered either. stangstore.com has the different springs for comparison.

 

[kennym01]

I drove my eibachs for 5-6 weeks before I realized the stock shocks weren't really valved right for the 1.5" drop. I put a set of mach 1 tokicos on and my ride definitely improved.

 

[tangerine]

The reason they suggest to put new shocks and struts on it is that it wreaks havoc on them. with it being lowered it doesn't let the shock perform like it is suppose to.

 

[lwkauble]

The reason they suggest to put new shocks and struts on it is that it wreaks havoc on them. with it being lowered it doesn't let the shock perform like it is suppose to.

Stock struts are designed for long travel. shocks/struts sold for lowered cars are designed for short travel. when you force a long travel strut to act like a short travel strut, it blows out the valve. not right away, but by the time you have a couple of thousand miles on the drop, you'll be needing a kidney belt. As for the C/c plates. you will want to get a good set like the www.maximummotorsports.com c/c plates. most of the time when you drop a car as low as the H&R supers or the eibachs do, end up with a lot of negative camber. and will wear tires out faster on the inside. also if you do drop it, you'll want to keep the front tires to a size where they won't rub. 255's are cool on the front for my 99, but 275s rubbed like hell after I dropped it. I have 315s on the back now. looks badass. anyway that's why people always tell you to do those things right away, because you end up having to do them anyway, why waste the time on agony? besides, people look hella stupid bouncing down the road.

 

[Blue Mach]

3. There are also factory springs that lower the car much less, such as the springs on the mach 1/ bullitt (called C springs I think). It wont be a 4x4 anymore, but it wont look lowered either. stangstore.com has the different springs for comparison.

If the car doesnt have the 4x4 look then wouldnt it be Lowered?

 

[00VERT GT]

If the car doesnt have the 4x4 look then wouldnt it be Lowered?

yes it would but not enough to look like it has been lowered just enough to close some of the gap in the wheel well.

 

[jeff1414]

I still have my stock shocks with the sportlines for a 1 1/2 now and they seem to be doing ok If you have the money I would do it all at once just to get it done with.

 

[Blue Mach]

yes it would but not enough to look like it has been lowered just enough to close some of the gap in the wheel well.

If the car has C spring then it has been lowered just not as much as some of the other brands. My original configuration had the Eibachs but I liked the look of the C's better, but that’s opinion.

 

[tjm73]

Ford Racing is selling a Handling Kit for 96-04 Mustangs for $495.00 MSRP.

It includes...
Coil Springs - 1" drop
600 lb front/250 lb rear
Struts
Shocks
Sway Bars

FYI - MACH 1 uses this spring package. In fact, I think this is actually a complete MACH 1 Suspension package.

 

[Cars&Guitars]

I bought the FRPP B springs because I was informed that they were supposed to work with the stock shocks/struts. They dropped my about 1" to 1.5". So far ok I guess. If you need shocks/struts, you should be able to get the set for under $200.

 

[Kristian98gt]

Hey fellas!! I just put 17" chrome y2k's on my 98 gt, I love them by the way, but I really hate the 4x4 look. I've been reading up on the c springs and the pro kits. I know they are different drops, but from what I hear not to much different. I have been considering these because I've heard that your shocks/struts last longer, which only makes sense since they are not designed for that ride height. I really would like to drop it 2" but I know how much that would cost with everything I would have to purchase along with the springs. Can some of you guys post some pics of c springs, pro kits, and sportlines on a sn95 body? That would be awesome!!!

What is the cheapest route to drop my ride 2-2.25"

 

[GoBabyVroommm]

Sorry guys i lost this thread. Ok the biggest problem you'll come across is rust. Don't get mad when you do this, we had a impact gun so helped out a lot. O yea we broke tools too.

When you get to the back shocks its going to be hard. Lift the car on the t-bone in the middle before the drive shaft.<think that is what it is called.> I tell you to do this because the one bolt holding your control arm is hard as hell to get out if there is pressure on it. WEll if there is pressure on it it won't come out. Took us 2 hours to figure that one out. It would help if you put a jack stand near the control arm bolt when your going to take off.

Now if you ask us to do that same job we can do it in 3-4 hours.