I've been looking all over but haven't been able to find the answer to this so I apologize if I missed it. I'm looking for the stock ride height on a 68 Riviera. I've spent the past two years fixing and restoring almost everything else so it's time to move onto this project since my current shocks/springs are pretty bad. My current ride height is at 26.5 inches at the front wheel well trim and 26.25 at the rear. This is with 215-70/15 tires. Thank you in advance for your help! Matt C.
Matt, maybe this will help: The factory height of the car (non GS), from the ground to the top of the roof, is 53.2 inches (with 8.45 x 15 tyres) according to the 1968 Buick brochure :TU: (the Riviera GS used 8.85 x 15 tyres) Also check Similar Threads at the bottom of this page.
That doesn't really help in regards to what I'm trying to order. I've looked on tons of sites but have not been able to find the stock ride height at the front and rear wheel wells (with any consistency in tire size). My set up is so shot, I'm afraid if I order stock height that it's going to go up... which I definitely don't want. I'm thinking about ordering the 1" drop springs to keep about where it is now. I've seen a few reports that some think the 2" drop is too much. I would most certainly appreciate anyone willing to list their wheel well ride height on a 68 or 69, with tire size. Thank you!!
I was thinking: Now you know the factory height of the car, you can measure the distance between the highest point of the roof and the both wheel wells. The distance from the roof to the wheel wells doesn't change when your suspension isn't up to factory specifications anymore. What is left from those 53.2 inches is the factory height from the ground to the top of the wheel wells :TU:
My 69 Riviera has 225/75-15's on it and sits at what I consider stock ride height. Front springs are factory and I replaced the rears probably 30 years ago. The front measurement from the ground to the wheel trim is 27 1/4" . Rear measures 28".
Ride height info is in the 68 Buick chassis manual. http://m.ebay.com/itm/1968-BUICK-CH...%3Acafa03f41570a357c84e8f8bffff0bec%7Ciid%3A1
That doesn't really help. As I mentioned earlier, looking for the stock ride height from the wheel wells.
That's kinda the problem. I don't have a 6 foot board and level to measure the highest point of the roof line, especially since my car is out of balance anyway. While I appreciate the recommendation, that's why I'm looking for the wheel well height. It's a lot easier when it come to standard ride height.
Yes it is Larry. Amazing how many questions get answered by just opening up this book.p The 68 service manual does have a handy dandy chart on page 40-10. The measurement is taken from the bottom of the rocker panel to a level surface. front is 8 5/16". Rear is 8" Says on cars with oversize tires add 1/4". Oversize would be the optional H70-15 which was the largest tire available and loosely translates to a 235/70-15. Just for giggles, I'll have to measure my 69 Riviera tomorrow since its sitting in my driveway at the moment. never really had any cause to measure the ride height on it.
And just for the record, you have a shorter than stock tire on your car, so take that into account. I'd probably put a larger tire on it to fill up the wheel well better
Yes it does, that chassis manual is something you should have which is why I posted that link for you. BTW, that is a screaming deal, don't you think? The manual will have chart for stock ride height measured from not only the wheel wells, but from the suspension points as well. If I had a 68 manual, I would post it for you as I have done for others in the past.
Your both sort of right. While the 68 manual does give ride height, it doesn't give it from the top of the wheel wells like the 70 manual does with the A bodies. It gives you a chart from the rocker panel to the ground. With the info I posted, I think the OP has enough info to go on.
OK. How much different is the 70 Riviera body than the 68 Riviera? The 1970 chart has the following measurements. From the top of the Front wheel well to ground, 28 5/8" From the top of the Rear wheel well to ground, 24 1/8" From the Front Rocker panel to ground, 8 3/8" From the Rear rocker panel to ground, 8 1/16" Looks like 1/16" difference between 68 and 70. The above wheel well measurements should help as well.
The rear quarters are different for sure on a 70 as opposed to a 68-69. The rocker panel measurements are almost identical though
yup, 1/16". Maybe the OP might find the 70 wheel well measurements useful. Looks like the 70 has skirts as well. http://oldcarbrochures.org/var/albu...era/1968 Buick Riviera-08-09.jpg?m=1306456176 http://carswithmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1970-buick-riviera-side.jpg I like the 68 better.
Of course not:laugh: Everyone has their own opinion on what looks right, or good. Play with the springs and tire heights until you find what looks good to you. It's like exhaust note, subjective.
