Lowering question for '04-06 LS owners.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: MD
Lowering question for '04-06 LS owners.
I own an 04 Ls 430 Custom Lux with all stock parts 17" wheels
1) What exact equipment do I need to lower my car an inch in the front and the back? (just springs or shocks also?)
2) For those who have lowered their cars - does it cause a problem when your car is loaded with four adults?
3) Aesthetically, is it a good idea to lower the car the same height all the way around...or is it best to have the front lower than the back?
4) What is the best equipment so that once lowered it still has the same ride like the stock version? So in other words I am hoping that lowering it will not affect the quality of the smooth ride.
5) About how much should it cost parts, and labor? So that I don't get cheated.
Cheers,
IAn
1) What exact equipment do I need to lower my car an inch in the front and the back? (just springs or shocks also?)
2) For those who have lowered their cars - does it cause a problem when your car is loaded with four adults?
3) Aesthetically, is it a good idea to lower the car the same height all the way around...or is it best to have the front lower than the back?
4) What is the best equipment so that once lowered it still has the same ride like the stock version? So in other words I am hoping that lowering it will not affect the quality of the smooth ride.
5) About how much should it cost parts, and labor? So that I don't get cheated.
Cheers,
IAn
My input (in color below), based upon having both my '05 and '03 LS lowered at various points approximately .8" - 1.2" lower than stock, and having lowered some other cars in my time:
I own an 04 Ls 430 Custom Lux with all stock parts 17" wheels
1) What exact equipment do I need to lower my car an inch in the front and the back? (just springs or shocks also?) Coilovers of course will do it, not sure of the "springs only" option -- not sure how much they lower it.
2) For those who have lowered their cars - does it cause a problem when your car is loaded with four adults? Not on mine on stock wheels/tires, nor with 245/40/19 43-mm offset and 275/35/19 45-mm offset wheels/tires.
3) Aesthetically, is it best to have the front lower than the back? That's a subjective matter.
4) What is the best equipment so that once lowered it still has the same ride like the stock version? So in other words I am hoping that lowering it will not affect the quality of the smooth ride. Unless the springs-only option will give you the same ride as stock (I SERIOUSLY doubt that to be the case) the stiffer spring rate of the aftermarket will cause SOME deterioriation in smooth ride quality and SOME in the amount of noise/harshness transmitted to the vehicle. Some people may tell you that this isn't true, but I challenge them to do a side-by-side comparison to stock and I'm confident that they will find SOME deterioriation. I have Tein CS and even on the softest setting, you can still feel the difference. It's slight, but you can feel it.
5) About how much should it cost parts, and labor? So that I don't get cheated.Not sure -- I paid about $1300 or so IIRC for my Aluminum body Tein CS (not the current steel body ones) and I installed them myself. Also factor in a good alignment to set the tow-in and get the alignment as close as you can (you probably won't be able to get the camber alignment *right*, but it should be okay function and tire wear wise.
Cheers,
IAn
1) What exact equipment do I need to lower my car an inch in the front and the back? (just springs or shocks also?) Coilovers of course will do it, not sure of the "springs only" option -- not sure how much they lower it.
2) For those who have lowered their cars - does it cause a problem when your car is loaded with four adults? Not on mine on stock wheels/tires, nor with 245/40/19 43-mm offset and 275/35/19 45-mm offset wheels/tires.
3) Aesthetically, is it best to have the front lower than the back? That's a subjective matter.
4) What is the best equipment so that once lowered it still has the same ride like the stock version? So in other words I am hoping that lowering it will not affect the quality of the smooth ride. Unless the springs-only option will give you the same ride as stock (I SERIOUSLY doubt that to be the case) the stiffer spring rate of the aftermarket will cause SOME deterioriation in smooth ride quality and SOME in the amount of noise/harshness transmitted to the vehicle. Some people may tell you that this isn't true, but I challenge them to do a side-by-side comparison to stock and I'm confident that they will find SOME deterioriation. I have Tein CS and even on the softest setting, you can still feel the difference. It's slight, but you can feel it.
5) About how much should it cost parts, and labor? So that I don't get cheated.Not sure -- I paid about $1300 or so IIRC for my Aluminum body Tein CS (not the current steel body ones) and I installed them myself. Also factor in a good alignment to set the tow-in and get the alignment as close as you can (you probably won't be able to get the camber alignment *right*, but it should be okay function and tire wear wise.
Cheers,
IAn
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: MD
Thanks that was quite helpful. I don't know anything about car mods...except that it looks really nice wehn done right and really silly when done wrong.
I did not know the parts for lowering a car would be $1300...That pretty much helped me make my decision not to do it. I can't see paying that much to get a ride that will not be as smooth. I thought maybe I buy some springs and find a mechanic to put them on.
Thanks for the knowledge. I will read up on what coilovers are.
Cheers,
Ian
I did not know the parts for lowering a car would be $1300...That pretty much helped me make my decision not to do it. I can't see paying that much to get a ride that will not be as smooth. I thought maybe I buy some springs and find a mechanic to put them on.
Thanks for the knowledge. I will read up on what coilovers are.
Cheers,
Ian
there is such a thing called an SS kit and the 2 companies i know of that make them are JP (junction produce) and another company out of japan called youzeland (that is the correct spelling) and they make these SS kits that will lower your car exactly 1.2 inches all the way around without changing any of the original stock suspension feel.
i know the youzeland ss kit comes in 2 choices. the simpler one is about 500$ and the pro kit is about 900$ and the pro is basically for if you want to put big rims on your car as well or if you have the air suspension and want to tuck the wheels. i am really considering the youzeland ss kit myself...
http://www.youzealand.net/sskit/celsior.html
the first choice of the 30/31 SS kit is the cheaper one and prolly the one you would be looking for.
i know the youzeland ss kit comes in 2 choices. the simpler one is about 500$ and the pro kit is about 900$ and the pro is basically for if you want to put big rims on your car as well or if you have the air suspension and want to tuck the wheels. i am really considering the youzeland ss kit myself...
http://www.youzealand.net/sskit/celsior.html
the first choice of the 30/31 SS kit is the cheaper one and prolly the one you would be looking for.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 102
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From: MD
Now that sounds more like it. Thanks, Sojah... I can see myself paying this much for the equipment. I am going to look at both sites immediately.
Does anyone have a picture of an 04-06 LS 430 with a 1.2" drop and either 17" or 18" rims on the car? Please post so I can see what that looks like.
Cheers,
Ian
Does anyone have a picture of an 04-06 LS 430 with a 1.2" drop and either 17" or 18" rims on the car? Please post so I can see what that looks like.
Cheers,
Ian
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
I have used springs on both my current (2005 LS 430) and previous (200 GS 300) cars. I currently use the Tanabe NF210 springs with 20 inch wheels and 245-35-20 tires. I believe the springs lower the car 1.0 in the front and 0.8 in the rear. While I can't speak for coilovers, I have been pleased with the ride, handling, and comfort of the Tanabe springs. I am running stock shocks with this. I believe the springs and install were around $600 or so.
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