mickeykelley

Has anyone ever done one of those hydraulic suspension systems (aka low rider hopping car things) to temporarily raise the front for clearance? Not looking to change the ride or handling at all and not interested in low rider hopping crap, just a button to raise it for sloped garage clearance. The one that was installed on Jay Leno's E85 Corvette was a complete suspension rework that cost over $8,000 and the side benefit is the clearance issue. At that price, I'd rather have a supercharger. I talked to them and they have no way to shrinking it to work and cost less. He said air bags is another option but the way the Vette A arm is they could not find any that would work. I just want something simple to hit a button the raise it a couple inches.

RLSebring

I'd like to see this... It would totally freak out about 95% of the Corvette owners on the forum.

mickeykelley

Not looking for a 'trick' car, but just something to get the nose up for pulling in and out of the garage. I don't want it to jump up, just ease up and ease down, nice and smooth, no slamming, hopping, twisting or any of that crap.

mickeykelley

Anyone else?

NYC6

Some other sports cars have that feature, Lamborghini for one. I would like to have it. 60lb of S/C on the nose even with the front raised a bit I still drag pretty bad at times.

DBR9 KLR

Pratt & Miller make exactly what you're talking about. They have it on the C6RS. I tried to find a video of it to post but couldnt find one, but they have a ride control that has small bags that raise and lower the front end like an inch and a half. Jay Leno was showing me how it worked on his about 6 months ago. I have no idea how much P&M would charge or if they sell this part directly to the public or not but you could start with them.

You could try:

Chris Ladouceur at P&M
248-446-9800 or cladouceur@prattmiller.com

kev1n

I get the idea and understand what you're trying to do, however, I think a system like this would totally comprise the handling of the car. there would be a lot of weight added and the car would probably oversteer like crazy

Wayne O

I'm not so sure about that....the Pratt & Miller C6.RS uses the Arvin Meritor Dynamic Height Control (air bladder) suspension. They seem to make it work.

mickeykelley

I mentioned above that I ready talked to them and it's 8 grand. Arvin sold it off to Pratt. It's a complete suspension redo which just happens to provide the raising as a side benefit. I talked to the guy about a 'stripped' down version just to lift and said they are not interested.

The only thing I can think of is adding a hydraulic extended on the shock which is what the low riders do, but I'm afraid it might not handle the hard cornering and power typical of corvette.

mtmark

KW sells a system

Its called KW HLS (Hydrolic lift system)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u92uc...next=1&index=2


Greetings,

Mark

mickeykelley

Thanks. I will look into it. Looks promising.

The Clevite Kid

Jawohl !! A little German Engineering for our American Icon.

Kenny94945

Lamborghini system uses the power steering pump and fluid. Ties into the shocks absorbors and is expensive system to repair.

Old school hot rod was air shocks with a small compressor. Not sure what I would think of these shocks on a road handler like a Vette. Maybe with coilovers and nitrogen you could make something work.

Semi trucks use an air bladder system (for weight) not necessarily ride height.

Good luck on this mod.

mickeykelley

Well here is the ugly answer:

The Jay Leno system is by Pratt and starts at $8,000 as it is a race designed full suspension setup with the side benefit of raising to avoid speed bumps, etc. Too Expensive for my solution.

KW HLS is a coil over shock replacement with their system and runs $6,000. Too much for me.

RideTech is an air system, good or bad does not matter as they guy said they do not have anything for C5 or C6 that these is just not enough clearance for their system. They have one there to play with, and it just won't fit. Just front lift would be around $2,000 if they could fit one.

RamLiftPro is a hydraulic system designed for coil-over but he has not done a Corvette one yet. He plans to, but when looking at it the clearance is tight. He said his system is $1,500 but you have to provide the coil-over and make sure it fits. He said it should but until he has time to do a system specifically for the Corvette, he will not guarantee. He has no date for his complete Corvette solution so could be many moths or years. He said expect coil-overs to run a couple thousand for all 4 plus his part brings it to maybe $3,500. I still don't really want to spend that much for a solution even if I got a benefit in handling. For that amount, I would be almost half way to the Edelbrock supercharger, which I would enjoy much more.

That is all the solutions I could find and no good answer for me. Just too much $$$ for my blood. So for now, I guess I will just have to live with the scrapping as I pull in and out of the drive.

vbv

I am seeking a similar answer; thinking about using the simple air shock (Gabriel makes one, I believe) as a one-to-one replacement up front to clear the driveway "hurdle". Provides perhaps a two inch "window" - anyone give this some thought?

OIIIO

Maybe better to change your driveway.

ezrider4u2

Andy82 is forum member and his beautiful Z06 is very customized to include a system to raise his front end

dbirdhouse1

There is a Japanese(I think) company that makes aftermarket (air) shocks designed for exactly this, i.e. raise/lower the front end for easier driving/parking but that's all I can recall.............

Loujay2010

i am waiting for info on system

TomdaToolman

JRI Shocks makes a hydraulic unit that attaches to their coil over shocks that raises your car 2" to 3" hydraulically. Looks to be a compact unit. I sent them an email yesterday but haven't heard back from them yet. Not sure their hydraulic attachment is compatible with their Corvette shocks.