LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Lowering my 2000 LS400

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-08-05, 10:48 PM
  #1  
khoatrn
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
khoatrn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: California
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question Lowering my 2000 LS400

Hi, I need help on lowering my LS. I'm thinking about getting a set of either Eibach or H&R springs. I just can't decide which one I should go with since I have no prior experience/knowledge. However, I would like something that gives it a nice look / drop without losing much ride quality. Any suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks.
Old 01-09-05, 12:44 AM
  #2  
GRAND_LS 4
3UZ-FEEEE
iTrader: (2)
 
GRAND_LS 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 6,253
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by khoatrn
Hi, I need help on lowering my LS. I'm thinking about getting a set of either Eibach or H&R springs. I just can't decide which one I should go with since I have no prior experience/knowledge. However, I would like something that gives it a nice look / drop without losing much ride quality. Any suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks.
Coilovers is the best way... Tein's will lower your ride without sacrificing ride quality.
Old 01-09-05, 01:15 AM
  #3  
RA40
Super Moderator

iTrader: (6)
 
RA40's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: California
Posts: 20,851
Received 472 Likes on 362 Posts
Default

I like the way the car rides with the Eibach and Bilstein and it is a conservative drop that suits me.



As far as suspension mods go, the nicest product available for us that is readily obtainable are the Tein's or JIC. Obviously a product in this category you will be rewarded for your investment.

Here is some additional reading for you:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/suspension-and-brakes/75055-coilovers-vs-springs-shocks.html
Old 01-09-05, 07:31 AM
  #4  
khoatrn
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
khoatrn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: California
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks a bunch for all suggestions . Now I know what to do with my car . Take care bros.
Old 01-09-05, 12:54 PM
  #5  
Stefwilli
Wheel Vendor
 
Stefwilli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I have a 2000 LS 400 and I have an L-sportline drop. The only thing is there is no more L-sportline. My car rides close to stock with alot more control. Although you cant get L-sportline the good thing is, the springs are made by eibach. You could use my gallery to view pics.
Old 01-11-05, 01:52 PM
  #6  
Jasoneo5
Instructor
iTrader: (4)
 
Jasoneo5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,153
Received 32 Likes on 22 Posts
Default

Will the H&R springs lower it more than the Eibach will on stock shocks? How much should I cost on labor to install?
Old 01-11-05, 02:18 PM
  #7  
GRAND_LS 4
3UZ-FEEEE
iTrader: (2)
 
GRAND_LS 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 6,253
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Jasoneo5
Will the H&R springs lower it more than the Eibach will on stock shocks? How much should I cost on labor to install?
Your car will bounce, and the ride will suffer. Get some stiffer shocks if you want to lower it.
Old 01-11-05, 04:52 PM
  #8  
RA40
Super Moderator

iTrader: (6)
 
RA40's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: California
Posts: 20,851
Received 472 Likes on 362 Posts
Default

The Bilsteins have two perch locations, normal and one that is 3/8" lower. The lower setting effectively drops the car about 1/2" more. Consider though that is greatly reduces strut travel and bottoming out is very likely with certain road conditions.

On mine, I have about 1-1/4" front suspension travel and 1-3/4" rear. My rear strut is set at the normal perch position though. If you put the HR which by varying specs lower it 1" or 1.5", you may have about 1" or less of strut travel...not good.

I would suggest saving to get some Tein's like spinout180 did.
Old 01-11-05, 06:29 PM
  #9  
Jasoneo5
Instructor
iTrader: (4)
 
Jasoneo5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,153
Received 32 Likes on 22 Posts
Default

Actually, I just got the car back today with the H&R Lowering springs on stock shock with about 72k miles on them and they feel damn good. I'm pretty satisfied with the ride height and the ride overall. I don't know how much longer my shocks are going to last until they wear out, which might be soon, but it's okay while it lasts!
Old 01-11-05, 08:00 PM
  #10  
RA40
Super Moderator

iTrader: (6)
 
RA40's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: California
Posts: 20,851
Received 472 Likes on 362 Posts
Default

Jason- Let's see some pics! Did it come down 1" or 1.5"?

For khoatrn's benefit: One aspect of changing the struts at the same time is to save labor costs and/or time. Sometimes the stockies are fine and other times not. After paying labor and an alignment, you'd hate to have to remove them and go through the routine again.

On mine, the struts felt dead at 70K. They didn't bounce or anything obvious fortunately. When they were removed from the car and compressed, none of them returned to a fully extended position.
Old 01-11-05, 08:12 PM
  #11  
Jasoneo5
Instructor
iTrader: (4)
 
Jasoneo5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,153
Received 32 Likes on 22 Posts
Default

I would say that it lowered about 1.5". Damn, I am kind of now wishing that I had went ahead and just bought the bilstein shocks because I am probably going to have to replace the stock shocks by 100k anyways. Oh well. I will post some pictures tomorow when there is some sun out. I must say It does look a lot nicer though!
Old 01-11-05, 08:20 PM
  #12  
khoatrn
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
khoatrn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: California
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

RA40, thanks for your advice. I think I will change the struts as well to save for the labor cost . Jason, can you share some pics of your car here so we can see the new look of it?
Old 01-12-05, 12:27 AM
  #13  
RA40
Super Moderator

iTrader: (6)
 
RA40's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: California
Posts: 20,851
Received 472 Likes on 362 Posts
Default

Here is a pic of Stefwilli's ride
Attached Thumbnails Lowering my 2000 LS400-stefwll.jpg  
Old 01-12-05, 05:23 AM
  #14  
D2-AUTOSPORT
Former Sponsor
 
D2-AUTOSPORT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: D2'sville
Posts: 13,002
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RA40
Here is a pic of Stefwilli's ride
The ride quality on the car is amazing! Even with the NYC roads and 20" wheels/tires, it is MUCH more comfy than my GS with TEIN HA's. I am actually going to suggest he swap the out to the Bilsteins to get that incremental extra lowering (help side to side balance, and close front gap).
Old 01-12-05, 08:38 AM
  #15  
khoatrn
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
khoatrn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: California
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hi everyone, that's a very nice LS. For D2-Autosport, you mean that car would look better with the Blisteins struts installed? As I've known, Stefwilli just drop it with the L-sportline springs and it's hard to find one now.


Quick Reply: Lowering my 2000 LS400



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:50 AM.