Help with increasing ride height?
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Help with increasing ride height?
Hello! I own a 2001 Lexus GS430 and love the car. My car is bone stock except for aftermarket exhaust mufflers and a K&N intake.
My family members all weigh above average and the car sits really really low if I have anyone in the back seat. Because my garage is at the basement level of my apartment building, I basically scrape the bottom of my car every time when I enter/exit. Its so bad that my exhaust clamps regularly need repair because of the constant punishment.
Note that my car has on 16" rims so that makes it lower than normal I believe. I need help raising the car height? What is the best way to go with my situation?
Shall I consider -
- Getting bigger rims (19")
- Change shocks (need suggestions)
- Aftermarket springs (I heard most lower the car)
- Go on a diet with the whole family (just kidding)
BTW, I am in NYC where the roads are terrible. Thanks in advance!
My family members all weigh above average and the car sits really really low if I have anyone in the back seat. Because my garage is at the basement level of my apartment building, I basically scrape the bottom of my car every time when I enter/exit. Its so bad that my exhaust clamps regularly need repair because of the constant punishment.
Note that my car has on 16" rims so that makes it lower than normal I believe. I need help raising the car height? What is the best way to go with my situation?
Shall I consider -
- Getting bigger rims (19")
- Change shocks (need suggestions)
- Aftermarket springs (I heard most lower the car)
- Go on a diet with the whole family (just kidding)
BTW, I am in NYC where the roads are terrible. Thanks in advance!
#3
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Hello New York
Do not go with a 19 inch wheel. Changing wheels does not change the hight of the tire. Only the tire ratio will do this, but that will not fix your problem. Bigger tire hight will give you more clearance but may rub in the wheel wells before you see a benefit. Not to mention you will change your gear ratio a little bit. If I were you I would see about getting someone who can weld the spring perch higher on the shock tube. That way you keep the same ride you have now but at a hight that might compensate for the extra pull of gravity.
No expert, but may get you to think about it a bit differently,
David
Do not go with a 19 inch wheel. Changing wheels does not change the hight of the tire. Only the tire ratio will do this, but that will not fix your problem. Bigger tire hight will give you more clearance but may rub in the wheel wells before you see a benefit. Not to mention you will change your gear ratio a little bit. If I were you I would see about getting someone who can weld the spring perch higher on the shock tube. That way you keep the same ride you have now but at a hight that might compensate for the extra pull of gravity.
No expert, but may get you to think about it a bit differently,
David
#4
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