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I'm thinking about a slight suspension drop to get away from the factory SUV look on my '73. I found this kit on eBay using 9" bolts for about $85. Has anyone used this kit? Any advice on installation? Eventually I need to rebuild the whole suspension, probably in next year's budget. In the meantime, I'm wondering if this kit is a simple alternative.
careful with just using bolts without regard to half shaft angle.
Stock the vettes do have a high looking rear.
Using longer bolts when the spring in too stiff and raises the car along with changing half shaft angle then long blots are the answer.
I know from experience just eye balling and lowering rear will lead to a darty rearend causing a loss of expected handling.
Proper lowering would involve raising the differential.
I did the BDE on my 78 which had a 80-82 rear and the fiberglass mono spring. Dropped the rear maybe 1” going from a stock 6” bolt to the 9” bolt. My half shaft angle is basically perpendicular to the ground now.
All you need to do is fix why your rear is too high in the first place. Get a proper spring. If you want to keep your spring that is to strong, go to Lowes and get two 8 grade bolts for $3. When the ride height is correct the axle will automatically be level.
not really. On the fiberglass spring you have to jack up easy side carefully to install the bolt and compress it enough to get the the threads started. Then you have the order to get the bolt in and through which I can’t remember if you put the bolt through with the spring u loaded and then compress the spring. That part was annoying but otherwise If you have a small jack and a poly pad it took maybe an hour being careful and figuring out the order.
the kit is nice because it comes with thicker washers, correct nut and poly bushings with steel cups. Its
overpriced sure but I didn’t want a 10” bolt bc I heard they are too long and a 8” bolt wouldn’t be enough lowering. For me the 9” bolt was perfect but if you want it slammed or pretty low 10” minimum.
Wow, just look at these responses!
First and foremost, keep the rear a bit higher than the front or your high speed handling will be so bad it could kill you!
Second, all you need to lower the rear is longer bolts.
Must be a hundred threads on here about changing ride height over the years. Do your homework
10 inch bolts and 15 inch wheels can also kill you!
Stock rear bolts are 6 3/8th's inches long.
8 inch bolts will most likely get you more than to low.
Grade 8 bolts and nylock nuts do NOT cost 80 bucks!
these guys see you coming!
Wow, just look at these responses!
First and foremost, keep the rear a bit higher than the front or your high speed handling will be so bad it could kill you!
Second, all you need to lower the rear is longer bolts.
Must be a hundred threads on here about changing ride height over the years. Do your homework
10 inch bolts and 15 inch wheels can also kill you!
Stock rear bolts are 6 3/8th's inches long.
8 inch bolts will most likely get you more than to low.
Grade 8 bolts and nylock nuts do NOT cost 80 bucks!
these guys see you coming!
8” bolts wouldn’t have been enough for me with the fiberglass spring. Also factor in the costs of the parts included… poly spring isolators cost $27 plus the ride, cups, bolts, nuts, washers etc. also I have never seen grade 8 bolts in or around the 1/2” size longer than 4” at my Home Depot or lowes and I looked at both before purchasing. 8” wouldn’t have been enough and 10” would have been too long. I know I overpaid but I got a coupon and didn’t have to piece a kit together and it came with everything.
Rereading your original post,,,, Calwldlife,,,,, Is correct. If you are looking at lowering the "original" stance of your vet, you need to be careful about a lot of other things.
Sorry, I thought this was about being higher than stock.
I had my differential rebuilt at a Chevrolet Dealership and they replaced all the hardware including the bolts at the ends of the spring with shorter bolts putting the rear of the car higher up in the air. It was so bad that when I looked in the mirror I could see the lip of the built in spoiler. Not long afterwards my half-shafts started making noise as the angle they were operating at was wrong. At Corvettes@Carlisle I spoke to one of the guys from VB&P and he laughed and told me that all you need is the "correct" length bolts to solve that problem. $50 later and my rear was level and the half shafts are back at their proper angle. I am pretty sure that the bolts I purchased are Grade 8 Hardware and will not break like some of the cheesy chinese stuff out there today. I saw a Corvette where someone use all thread rod and made their own, not a good idea....
Just be very careful that they they don't rub or touch anything back there as some bolts that are too long will eat away at the tire itself and cause a flat. Check the clearances after you replace the bolts to be very sure that they clear everything down there.
I also run a fibreglass spring. A VB&P mono spring purchased in the mid 90's.
I lowered front and rear. Not stupid low. But lower in the front as a lot of weight had been lost in the engine compartment. And then in the rear I used 8 inch bolts.
ended up cutting a bit off of them as they were more than long enough. Remember, you need the rear slightly higher than the front. and you need those half shafts level.
Here are the black ones, with 8" bolts (only 7 used), and level half-shafts thanks to a VB&P spring. The poly bushings leave room for the stock sway bar mount. There's nothing special about that Grade 8 bolt and Nylock nut. You could drill a hole for safety wire/cotter pin if you are concerned. Yes, I regret not getting the red ones.
BDE Systems Rear Lowering Kit
