Does anyone have info on a smart way to give my 65 skylark a little lift in the rear. I don't really want a severe rake, just a little stance improvement. Cargo springs, coil over shocks, air shocks(rather not), what is good and or advisable? My springs are only 2 yrs. old, front and rear. I just think the back end looks a little saggy. Any ideas/advice appreciated, thankyou for your time Paul
I inherited the stance of my '65 GS which was accomplished through the use of rubber bumpers that slip between the coils on the rear springs. The picture really doesn't show the car's stance in the best light as it was parked on an uphill grade. The car sits so nice that I am constantly catching myself looking at it as I walk away from it and whenever I'm walking back to it. I think I'm in love! It sits just a little lower than stock for that settled look but the front is still a bit lower than the rear. I know that the rubber bumper trick isn't the best way to deal with sagging springs, but it looks soooo good that I just don't want to change anything for fear of screwing that up.
I found something a few years ago like the bumpers. Its a rubber disk that goes under the spring. Your local evil auto store chain should have a few variations on this.
Are coil overs a good solution to this question? Can I buy springs to go with my existing shocks or are coil over shocks a unit? New shocks probly couldn't hurt. I have a used set an older friend of mine(75 yr young, MOPAR O.G., 64 300 K factory ram induction, dual quad crazy 500+ horses original owner, NASCAR on the beach in Daytona before we knew nuthin, retired walking automotive encyclopedia mechanic war veteran, looooooooong winded motorhead) Mr. Mel, gave me from an old Barracuda he raced. He said cut this off, weld that on and it'll raise her a good 3 inches. That's too much height, me no cut this, me no weld that, can't I just buy them new, affordably? What I am saying is....help. I don't want to race, just want a better stance for my 65, are coil overs a good answer? As always, thankyou for yor advice, help, witty comments. Forgive me for my lack of knowledge but all I've really worked on for the last 20 years were my Nortons. I sold all bikes for this Buick, and I'm gonna have at it, one way or another!! Uncle Pauly
shock stud extender $5 will give it a tad lift. All they do is make the shocks 1 1/2in longer. [seam to be the topic of the week.]
Lots of guys like the rubber air bags that go inside the rear springs, because not only can you adjust the ride height, you can add more air to the left rear, which puts more down force on that tire, to help control wheelspin with an open rear end. Me? I use air shocks.
I use the air bags, got them from Summit, I think they were 72 bucks including shipping, I put them in myself, took about 30 minutes, they work very well. I used a valve on each bag so that I could level the car front to rear but also side to side. :TU:
I was under the impression that the air bags were for stiffening the suspension for takeoff. I did not know they could be used to provide a lift to my car's stance. Sounds and looks like an easy install. I was just searching for an alternate way to give my car a little more aggressive look. Thanks for all the input gents, and I'm still after any suggestions, pros/cons that anyone might like to share. Late, Paul
Which model air bag did you use? I see one that states it works with 67-72 Chevelles and El camino's But there is also another one thats universal.
I used the arilift 1000 airbags from summit they are bright orange. They took like a half hour to install and didn't effect the ride quality at all. I used them because i wanted a little lift because the rear tires would rub. This is the best thing I ever did. They worked pefrect for lifting the rear of the car thanks Adam
Im currently in the process of installing these on my Riviera. I got them off eBay for $43.00 new. I just now stopped to take a break. I have one installed and I can see a difference. Where the tire used to tuck into the fender well, now the fender well sits about an inch above the top of the tire. But, like I said, I only have one installed so far... Im taking before and after pics to show the difference also.
:laugh: I was bound to win one of his auctions. I lost the first 2 auctions he had for the same shocks. Keep checking his auctions, I think he lists them one pair at a time. :TU:
