Change wheels on a Camry

[drfixer]

My first post, please be patient. I just purchased a 98 Camry SL. How would I gain 1 to 2 inches of ground clearance. The muffler drags when I go up my drive, it's very steep right from the start. I looked at the mounting and it it tight and right where the factory put it. I saw where there are larger diameter wheels but the ads said you have to use thinner tires so as not to change the height. I suppose larger wheels would affect the odometer. Can regular tires be used on the larger wheels ?? Thank you all for any help.

Dave Cook

[stock93cam]

Do you pull into your driveway straight or at an angle? Take a picture of how steep it is...cuase that just doesnt sound right...usually ppl want to lower their cars...

[drfixer]

The street is narrow so straight in is hard. All the time I come in on an angle. I must admit if I go real slow, no touch. A little speed and the rear squats and the muffler hits. The steepness starts right away. By the way, thanks for the pictures of your car. Inside it looks like mine. Outside is different though. Good looking automobile you have there. Are they the stock wheels ??

Dave Cook

[stock93cam]

mine yeah all stock....i dont know what you could do to make you car any higher cause all the springs out there are to lower your car...i think air bags can lower it but to my knowledge thats more money...what gen camry do you have?

[drfixer]

Mine is a 1998 LE. I got real lucky, it has 38k original miles and I am the 2nd owner.

Dave Cook

[Nick]

are your rear springs sagging? how much of a finger gap do you have in the rear wheel wells when your car is resting on level ground?

[kasimmmmm]

could it be the stock struts or suspension thats sagging and needs to be replaced. I find gen4s high. Never heard about the muffler on a gen4 being too low.

[drfixer]

I don't mean to imply the muffler is too low. It is right where Toyota design'd it to be. It's my driveway that's the problem. It starts right out at the street going up at a steep angle. The stock wheels are 14. If I could go to 15 or 16 with the same size tire, height wise, then I should have enough clearance. Thanks to all for the advice and information.

Dave Cook

[drfixer]

Here is a picture of my car from the side. I don't see any sign of sagging.


Dave Cook

oops...looks like I can't post pictures What do I need to do ??

[drfixer]

I got it to work, sorry I was such a dope..

Thanks for any help

Dave Cook

[stock93cam]

from that angle the wheel gap in the back looks smaller than the wheel gap in the front