Should I lower my ST by 2"s

[Robert Stamps]

I have an 09 Limited with 18 wheels. I am thinking about switching to 20' . 275/45/20. I tow a 17 ft. boat. If I go with the 20' wheels and do a 2' lowering, I have some questions .

1. Will lowering make it "look better"?

2. Will lowering make it ride better?

2. Willl it affect the towing?

3. Will it affect the ride even when I'm not towing

4. What type of shop does lowering?

5. What's the approximate cost.



Thanks for any help.

 

[Carey Frennier]

I can help. Email me your spring part numbers.



1. Will lowering make it "look better"? Hell yes.



2. Will lowering make it ride better? It will handle better with the posibility of marginally better fuel economy. You can have the springs made so they do not affect the ride at all.



2. Willl it affect the towing? It shouldn't affect towing if you get the appropriate spring. You can customize your drop and your stiffness.



3. Will it affect the ride even when I'm not towing? That depends on what you select for rate and some other variables.



4. What type of shop does lowering? BobC found an awesome shop to cut his OEM springs. I have made a few sets of drop springs for the gen2 ST. Specifically the 08-2010 AWD STA V8 but I can probably get you one off springs made.



5. What's the approximate cost? My springs are about $650 shipped for nearly every combination. At the moment I have a 1.5" and a 2.0" in prototype. The 1.5" has been engineered to be a factory or OEM like ride. The 1.5" were made for an AWD but they did slightly lower a RWD. This is why I need your OEM spring numbers. They are on stickers or tags on the springs. I can use those to pull the engineering specs and replicate the spring with any drop you want.



However, like I had said, CopST is looking to sell his 1.5" AWD V8 Drop springs so he can buy the appropriate RWD springs for his truck.







It shouldn't affect towing if you get the appropriate spring. You can customize your drop % and your firmness %.



Actually, If you have a 4wd, CopST has a set of 1.5" drop springs that should work on your vehicle. 1.5" would be a nice drop for someone that uses their ST as a truck

 

[Richard L]

For the most part, I agree with Psycareyo. If you get a good shop to lower your truck with the proper size and spring rates you will not notice any change in ride comfort, and the handling should be a little better since it will have a lower center of gravity.



I suspect the larger rims with lower profile tires will give a harsher ride and have more effect on your ride comfort than the lowering does.



...Rich

 

[Carey Frennier]

Rich,



You would be 100% correct. Especially in cold weather. Those tires will "flat spot" and they will feel like you have a bent wheel or something. After a few minutes of driving, they will heat up and return to their normal shape. This is more common with low profile tires.



Good luck finding a shop that will modify your springs. Most places will not. There is a lot of downtime involved and it costs a good chunk. Not to mention you lose your OEM springs forever.



That is why I went out and started the process for making swap out, bolt in drop springs for under $1000!

 

[EddieS'04]

2. Willl it affect the towing?

You might find after lowering. You may need air bags or air shocks, for towing.

 

[Robert Caffyn]

Visual aids sometimes help. I have had no issues with mine @ a 2" drop. Still rides like stock, tows fine and I have the 275/45-20 tyres on 20"x8.5" rims. No rubbing before or after drop, steering seems a bit "lighter". I could have gone 3" in the back only(2" in front) and it would appear a little more level. Bob :banana:



Before the drop:

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After the drop:

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[Supercharged SVT]

It just looks more Natural on the STA - With the ground effects, this model was never intended for off roading or baja abuse. Again - My opinion as well -



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[Robert Stamps]

Thanks for the help!