1969 Chevelle Malibu Lowering...Springs vs. Spindles

1969 Chevelle Malibu Lowering Springs vs. Spindles???
GA_googleFillSlot("Forums_ROS_300x250_noad");var tcdacmd="sa=a;sz=3;ad";
I would like to give my '69 Chevelle Malibu a Nice Raked Stance (not slammed). I would like the rear end to sit slightly higher than the front. Plus improve handling. Has anyone had good or bad experiences with certain name brands of springs I.E. Hotchkis or edelbrock etc.. Can you recomend spindles or springs. My Car has a 350w/AC. Thanks in advance for any help you may offer.

Reddog,

Contact Coil Spring Specialties. They helped me get the perfect springs for my '65. Price was fair too. They nailed the stance I wanted. Be sure to have all the info on your car including which options it has, wheel size, tire size, etc. They know what they are doing when it comes to matching your application. Good luck, Tom

Coil Spring Specialties
632 W. Bertrand
St. Mary's, KS 66536
(785) 437-2025
Fax: (888) 386-2027
info@coilsprings.com

I used Hotchkis lowering springs all around. Car sits great. You could get lowering springs in the front and use stock height in the back. Whatever you do, don't use air-shocks!! They stink.

Hey rodie40 in your opinion why do the air shocks suck and what would be a good replacement. Ive got air shocks and I agree they suck but only because the leak down from my exp. About the only good thing is is you can jack the rear way up or make it like a low rider. Any suggestions would help thanks!

Hotrod,
The reason they suck, is what you said. They are known for leaking after a while and they don't ride very well. Like I said I have Hotchkis lowering springs all around, (Which was cheap like 250 for the set) and regular shocks all around. If you don't have the cash to spend on all that stuff right now, I'd suggest replacing your shocks with regular auto parts store ones and if the ride height is not where you want it, you can raise it by adding spacers. That is not the best, but it will help you get by until you can get new springs. Hope this helps. Let me know if I can help you any more.
Dan

HMM 1969 Gm Malibu, Cutlass, Monte. (dont carve this in stone)

Cant you get about two inches out of that puppy by swapping the left and right spindles? If I remember correctly the tie-rod end is close to center so all you do is install the tie rod upside down and the align the car. Granted you would have to do a few mods, but that use to be very common in the 70s and 80s with front drum and disc breaks. With a disk you don’t have to mod the brake plate but you would just need a longer hose and remove the caliper when bleeding.

Just a thought. I never did it to a car, ( but have lowered old trucks that way, but I do remember working on one car that was don that way. I just wish I rememberedr what it was

By the way, air shocks do and don’t suck. The reason why they suck is because they are typically installed with a split line to pump in air and let it out. That means that when you go around a corner, the outside shock compresses pushing air out of it. Subsequently that pushes air to the inside shock pushing the inside suspension up! That makes the rear end transfer even more weight to the outside of the corner making it difficult to take a turn faster than grandma.

Check these out. You can use all your stock springs etc.

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/1964_1972_Chevelle_Elcamino/6472DS.htm