Lifting Suspension

[Tynan918]

So many options to raise a Monte...

Spring Buffers, Spacers, Cups, and Expanders...

Getting ready to replace my front and rear suspension (coils, struts, and steering linkage), and want to go ahead and lift my Monte up some...

I don't plan on using 22"+ wheels anytime soon, I have 15" rally wheels and I just like to ride higher than average...and I can't afford any pricey lift kits...

All of these have their pros and cons that I'm aware of...

Which one of these types should I run with to lift my '84 Monte Carlo ?

Why and why not ?

 

[Wraith]

The second and last are asking for trouble, the third set are your best bet for max lift but when you lift you need to keep track of ball joint angles. If you are looking for a couple inches I'm sure several here can give you MOOG numbers on springs that will work and be the safest option.

 

[Tynan918]

If you are looking for a couple inches I'm sure several here can give you MOOG numbers on springs that will work and be the safest option

I'm cool with that too 😎👍🏾

 

[tkruger]

If you are currently running the original springs it is highly likely that they have compressed some over time. If you are doing the work to add the lift it might be more beneficial to look at replacing the springs with longer ones. Remember also that anytime you lift a vehicle the shocks need to be matched to the new suspension travel / ride height. Since you have an older car inspect every joint and bushing while you are in there. Replace anything that is worn at the same time. The reason for this is that any changes to ride height or major suspension work should be followed by an alignment. By doing the lift, suspension maintenance and alignment all at the same time you will save money in the long run. In the rear check the u joint. Lifting the car will place more stress on this part. They are not expensive.

A note on the shocks. They may seem ok and there may be extension kits for your existing ones but from experience I can tell you new ones will make the car ride allot better than ones with miles on them.

 

[spidereyes455]

http://jeffd.50megs.com/Moog_Spring_Page.htm
Read this and study the charts and you should be able to come up with your desired results if you're only looking to jack it up a few inches higher than stock.

 

[scoti]

'Budget' lifting will take the already poor GM front-end suspension geometry & make it worse.
Rubber or steel coil spring spacers will effectively change spring rates to an unknown & have a habit of coming loose/falling out.

Plastic/rubber or steel spacers @ one or both ends of the coils offer increased height but will be a challenge to install in the front. Front & rear coils are different so they will require different parts (spacers; if they're even available).

These cars don't have 'struts'. They have shocks.

 

[383_GrandPrix]

I wouldn't trust anything that gets shoved between coils, I'd almost guarantee they fall out if they don't cause a stress riser and crack the coils. The coil spring cups would work in the rear but as stated it will be the fight of your life to get them in the front. Although looking at the photos from your other thread about rubbing tires, I'd say your Monte is already lifted.

 

[Rt Jam]

Leave that high stance to the 70's or in Carolina but if you must lift the front try something modern, widely accepted and will improve performance. LS swap.

 

[DRIVEN]

 

[64nailhead]

All of those arts that you've linked are band aids for worn out springs. tkruger has described your current springs accurately. Almost undoubtedly new stock springs will raise the car back to factory heights.