What makes the AWD car sit higher in the front?

I have 3 theories:

1. The AWD spring is just taller.
2. The spring perch is mounted physically higher on the AWD strut.
3. The mounting point on the lower control arm is somehow higher (extremely unlikely).

Can anyone with firsthand knowledge tell me the difference? I want to lower my new (to me) GS350 AWD F sport, but I prefer a slight forward rake and am trying to work out my spring options based on height and rate.

Thanks!

 

Bumping this up. Can anyone at least tell me if the AWD front strut body is longer than a RWD front strut body?

 

AWD strut sits in a lower C shaped arm to go around the axel. The RWD model extends directly to the lower arm. The upper control arms, lower control arms, knuckles, sway bar and other parts are different. The AWD model has lower camber adjustment bolt.

 

Thank you. Do you know if the AWD strut itself is longer from bottom bolt to perch, or if the AWD spring is just longer?

 

Not sure why you need RWD information for AWD? They make AWD higher to make the axel perpendicular to the road I think. Just measure your ride height and compare to the brand.

 

I don't want think I want to go as low as any of the aftermarket spring offerings, and the shocks packaged with aftermarket coilovers are not designed to operate at the top of their range, which is about where I'd like to be. I would be very happy at RWD ride height, and, if the RWD front springs are softer, which I suspect they might be, I'd be happy to tune out some of the at-limit understeer as well.