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Thread: Easy way to lower
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rotarynews
Moderator
Too Many Rotary Websites
Posts: 206
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posted August 14, 2001 08:15 AM |
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Easy way to lower
I once saw a REPU lowered, and the whole attitude of the vehicle changed. What are some easy ways to lower this puppy? I doubt there are any lowering springs left for it on the market... cut the springs in front and put blocks in the back?
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J-Ro
1st Gear
Village Idiot
Posts: 23
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posted August 16, 2001 10:59 PM |
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Sorry...(winded)
Sorry to say that I do not know an easy way of lowering these trucks without some work. My friend and I took 6hrs. to lower mine and it was not fun, well the front wasn't anyway. Dual A-arms are the pits. Your best bet would be to pay the cash and buy drop spindles, this will not only save you cracked A-arms but tires due to bad camber as well. The rear is cake, either go ghetto with blocks, I don't recommend blocks bigger than 2" (with overload removed) and nice shocks, simple and straight forward. Again you can also get lowered leafs but I don't condone this as they are often un-even. Air bags or c-section would be ideal! Don't skimp if you go c-section have it done right. This should not have a bad effect on your driveshaft but you might want to check the rear-end push anyway, mine was good for over 2 years. I ran stock rims with 205/60 R14's. I have a calculation for gear ratio and wheel height somewhere if I can dig it up, it will give you your projected 1/4 mile time and max top speed. If I have missed anything, email me...
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Jeff20B
Moderator
Posts: 661
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posted August 27, 2001 12:43 PM |
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Same here. I cut a pair of '77 springs and kept my stock '74 springs intact. I think I need new shocks in front. There felt ok when I was messing with them while they were out of the truck, but I think new ones would help ride quality.
I only went with 2" blocks in back and kept my helper springs (it was a good idea) so I kept cutting my springs little by little untill the front matched the rear. Don't even ask how long it took :)
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'74 REPU
'76 Cosmo
'77 MG Midget 13B
'81 RX-7
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slelack
Newbie
Posts: 4
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posted June 18, 2002 12:27 PM |
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when I lowered my 77 repu, I heated the springs with a torch and let the weight of the truck do all the lowering. you will want to place blocks in the sprins so they sont lower too far and its an easy way to be sure the springs are equal in height.
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rotarynews
Moderator
Too Many Rotary Websites
Posts: 206
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posted June 18, 2002 02:17 PM |
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Heating Up spings
Wow, i forgot all about heating up springs... I may try that if I get an extra set of springs...
I would really love to get a coilover setup going, or maybe drop spindles... but those may be pipe dreams...
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mazilla
1st Gear
Posts: 44
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posted July 30, 2002 12:19 PM |
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heating OK?
I've heard of people heating springs to lower but i think that it will change the rate and soften up a bit too much.
SLELACK: did it change the ride at all?
Cutting is hard to gauge but one turn at a time is the way to go. There's got to be a drop spindle kit out there for a courier or B series. You a bunch of those useless trucks with dropped spindles. The truck really doesn't need all that much in lowering IMO, it handles quite flat already depending on rim and tire choice. I have 14" with 225/60 front and back on my 74 and they seem to steer flatter. I have experienced that ghost steer with these, where with the stockers, I have never had steering anomolies like that.
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ROTARY POWER!!! V8 is a great juice for consumption.
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Draggin_2600i
Redlining
Posts: 235
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posted July 30, 2002 12:46 PM |
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I have a couple of friend that Heated their springs. At first the springs felt fine but once they wore in they were bouncy like hell and the shocks wore out real fast. The cars were a 1994 nissan Altima and a 98' Honda Civic incase it matters. I would only heat them if I had an extra setbut even then I would rather cut the extra set.
Does anyone know if the newer Mazda (86-93 Model) Spindles fit. If so You can get 2" Dropped Spindles From a few companies. If not, Maybe by fliping the ball joints you could acheive about an inch or so of drop.
Another alternative I thought of Was looking at a Mustang 2 suspension, The system is basically the same as on the REPU minus the spindle and the Hub. I know the hotrod shops and magazines offer tons of parts for these cars. If the springs fit the same way you could just purchase a lowered set, and the ride should be real good. I though It might also be possible to install a Mustang spindle by just Flipping the lower Ball Joint on the truckand maybe some slight drilling. If I get the chance to do some research at the Junkyard, I wil.
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mazilla
1st Gear
Posts: 44
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posted July 30, 2002 09:08 PM |
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Ah the junk yard. I miss my local pick your part. I'd spend days in there instead of class. Not only a vice grip and screw driver but a caliper and tape. You find the most amazing coincidental measurements. I need to go do that...it's been a while since the house and the kid. My other children have been neglected. I will make it a point to go venture out and find me something.
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mazilla
1st Gear
Posts: 44
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posted July 30, 2002 09:11 PM |
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2600: I've been seeing those Mustang2 adds for the longest. It would be cool to have a pick of parts like that. They have every level of conversion. You got me thinkin' now. A little snip here a tuck there...
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Draggin_2600i
Redlining
Posts: 235
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posted July 31, 2002 09:21 AM |
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Those Mustang 2 front suspensions are all the rage with the hot rod crowd, and they are basically the same style as the REPU suspension. I have yet to find a Mustang 2 in the wrecking yards around LA, but when I do I will definately take measurements to see if the spindle might fit, or if any parts might be interchageable.
Too bad Most of these mods require more $$$ than I can spare at the moment since I am concentrating on getting the engine. Well If find out anything be sure that I will post it.
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mazilla
1st Gear
Posts: 44
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posted August 02, 2002 08:25 AM |
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Don't you hate that...two things that are hard to come by...money and time. Time is easier to make!
Since ford and mazda have been together for a long time, I wouldn't be surprised if the parts were damn close.
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ROTARY POWER!!! V8 is a great juice for consumption.
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Rotor
Revvin Up
certifiable rotorhead
Posts: 70
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posted August 23, 2002 10:38 AM |
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Most any good automotive spring shop (Landrum Spring in ATL comes immediately to mind) can wind you up a set of replacement short springs. They can also de-arch the rear springs. Prices are real reasonable.
I have yet to find a set of drop spindles to fit a REPU, or similar B series/Courier. They may be out there, but I've not found them.
An alternate possibility would be coil overs from Pro-Formance shocks, or Carrera, both located in ATL. Remove all but the main leaf on the rear springs, using the main leaf for locating the rear end. The front will require a little more work, but should still be pretty easily done.
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ROTOR 
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RX3UTE
Newbie
bad ass
Posts: 10
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posted September 28, 2002 10:51 PM |
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slammin da pickup...
i chopped my front springs and tokk out 4 of the leaves out back and put in 2" blocks.low and PHAT!!!
im in NZ and hav no connections overseas.im wondereing.....can anyone locate drop spindles for these beasts?how much are they?
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email me at rx3ute@yahoo.co.nz
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Loki
Newbie
Posts: 2
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posted February 02, 2003 12:52 AM |
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lowering
If you are going to cut the springs,put them in a bucket of water so that they will be equal in height. Mark your spot then chop. Or if you want mustang front ends pintos are the same. I've built many old fat fenders and 53-54 chev cars all suspention is the same pinto/mustang. Pinto's are cheaper. You can cut the front end off w/ a sawsall then remove useless metal and w/o buying a cross member install. Any questions about this email me.
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Loki
Newbie
Posts: 2
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posted February 02, 2003 12:58 AM |
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quote:
If you are going to cut the springs,put them in a bucket of water so that they will be equal in height. Mark your spot then chop. Or if you want mustang front ends pintos are the same. I've built many old fat fenders and 53-54 chev cars all suspention is the same pinto/mustang. Pinto's are cheaper. You can cut the front end off w/ a sawsall then remove useless metal and w/o buying a cross member install. Any questions about this email me.
Run hard let'em see your tail lights
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rotarypwrd
Revvin Up
Posts: 55
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posted February 05, 2003 12:02 AM |
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as we're talking about lowering suspension, talk to the one that has successfully got a REPU to be lowered and handle exceptionally well. Coil-overs in the front, 2-3 front! swaybars, etc.
it's Chris Greene over at checkpoint engineering. check out his REPU.
www.checkpointmotors.net
then click on project cars
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dhood
Hauling
Posts: 134
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posted March 09, 2003 09:27 PM |
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This threads gettin a little old but here's another question. My lower A arm shaft bushings are totally gone but I'm having a hard time getting them out. Is there an easy way without beating the crap outta the lower shaft?
We oughta have a new thread just for squeaks. I've been hearing this god awful squeaking and groaning for four years (low mileage driver) and took the REPU into three different shops for suspension checks. You'd think just one of em might have seen those bushings. But oh no! Everything is OK. I'm shocked I haven't left the road about ten times already. Metal to metal.
On lowering, I'm thinking of taking a spindle down to the local foundry to see if they can cast a drop set. These guys are miracle workers, but if cutting the front springs gets the same results for less money, why bother with the spindles?
Dan
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DPassmore
Hauling
Posts: 104
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posted March 10, 2003 06:21 PM |
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My next top secret project.
Maybe anyway.I have seen these,measured the GM's they fit and it's almost identical.I have a local speed shop that will let me try them and return them if they won't work.I figure it'll take less than an hour a side and they'll be adjustable.
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Jeff20B
Moderator
Posts: 661
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posted March 11, 2003 01:04 AM |
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Does anyone know if 1st gen RX-7 front springs will work in our trucks? My '77 springs are too harsh and I'm trying to figure out which springs are in my friend's REPU since they seem to be perfect (not too hard, not too soft, even lowered 3 inches).
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'74 REPU
'76 Cosmo
'77 MG Midget 13B
'81 RX-7
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Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
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posted March 11, 2003 09:49 AM |
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Too harsh?
Didn't know there was a difference in the front springs between the years... rear end is sprung so tight stock that the front was always too mushy for me! Always thought more was needed in front, not less...
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