Lowering an 83 Corolla Wagon...HELP PLS

[83RollaWagon]

Im fixing to purchase an 83 Toyota Corolla Wagon from my father that has only 78k original miles. cars runs terrifically and im wanting to put a new generation twist on it. MAINLY wanting to lower the car. i know the rear end is a leaf spring set up and front is a spring/strut setup. what is the best way to drop it so that there is minimal wheel gap with the fender/tire while maintaining a fair ride? Already have wheels and tires picked out (Drag DR-31 Charcoal 17x7). Any info would be greatly appreciated, Thanks Wil

[toytanic]

Well Wil, I know one one thing you DON'T want to do is cut the springs! I did this on my 81 (TE72) coupe and while it looked absolutelte awesome (TUCKING 13 INCH RIMS!!!!!!!) about 3inches off the ground, the front springs never did relocate properly, causing WILD variations in alignment from one moment to the next....it was really dangerous. Also, the radical drop caused radical pinion angle changes, straining the rear end and driveshaft greatly, with vibration and a gawdawful squealing noise.

Techonolgy has greatly improved since then, and I would investigate either coilovers or airstruts for the front and for the back, you never said if you have leaf springs or coils, so if you have leaves, use blocks with angle shims to help align the driveshaft/rearend. If you have coils, look into drop springs or again, coilovers. Yes they're a bit pricey but it's not worth risking your neck in order to look cool right?

I hope I have shed a small amount of light on it for you. Good luck with your project, and I would love to see some pics if you can. My email is teddybyker, over at Gmail.

[toytanic]

ok I missed where you said it has leaves in the rear....thats great because some blocks will bring it down greatly and cheaply...like I said donr forget the angle shims to keep the pinion angle right.

[hardtopte72]

You are in luck since you have an 83. With the exception of the rear nearly everything from an AE86 will bolt right up. If you want to go really go head on over to paradiseracing.com(for front and rear) and check out the coilovers (QA1 i believe) he sells for the Corolla. You can also check out technotoytuning.com. If you don't want to cut into your struts or risk blowing out shocks more by not doing so and just want lowering springs Megan racing springs for the AE86 are about the best bang for buck you will find. Not too low but much better. You already seem to have the rear figured out. And yes get angled shims to fix the pinion angle (but if you do break your rear end the Toyota truck rear from a 5 lug truck is nearly bolt on).

I personally run Megan Springs and Tokico blues all around and it looks nice with my Starion Wheels. If you want to slam it Coilovers are the only way.

Good luck.

[toytanic]

Hey dooooood, I was just wondering if you have made any more progress with your car....and again, dying to see some pics, even under construction ones