Piecing together coilover "helpers" for towing

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[Chris]

So since I find myself towing more and more with my '92, and with all the spare tools and shit I carry in the truck - I've noticed that my car is developing some ass sag. Both rear struts are completely shot and leaking oil now. I have a pair of Monroe Sensatrac struts that I purchased about 5 years ago and kept in storage because I didn't need them at the time that I'm planning on using to do this. I was going to put the Monroe's on the Euro and buy some KYB's for this one - but decided that I'm just going to throw these on the '92 and get Monroe's all the way around for the Euro (since they're half the price of the KYB's).

I'm planning on keeping the monoleaf in the rear, and adapting the struts to coilovers. I'm looking into getting a low springrate (I'm thinking 110, 130 or 150) since these will be used as "helper springs" to eliminate sag and sway when towing a trailer. I'm also thinking about pulling a swaybar off a Euro to help stiffen up the rear a bit more also.

These are the parts I'm looking at:

(2) Coilover sleeves
(2) Coilover Nuts
(2) coilovers

110 springs
130 springs
150 springs[/list][/list]

This should be all I need, right? I shouldn't need a spring locator on the top, and the original mounts should still be in good enough condition to use again.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

theres another option to, and a 20 minute install that you dont have to take the wheels off to complete.
search for super springs. its a leaf spring add on.

[Chris]

theres another option to, and a 20 minute install that you dont have to take the wheels off to complete.
search for super springs. its a leaf spring add on.

Those would be great if I had a solid axle leaf sprung rear-wheel drive Lumina.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

it doesnt NEED a rear axel, if you look at the install of it, you basically do half the job. i was looking at one for my car, but couldnt justify paying for a whole kit (which i still get @ 50%) lol when i tow a trailer twice a year.

[Chris]

You'd have to get just the right length helper springs, and then figure out how your going to prevent the metal shackle from rubbing right through the fiberglass monoleaf. And why would I not want to remove the wheels? Is there a way to change out the struts without removing the wheels that faster and easier that your not telling everyone about?

And $300+? Are you freaking kidding me? I'm looking at $140 to do the coilovers - and that's if I buy the parts I listed and don't look for something cheaper.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

i get towing parts cheaper than you, i can bet money on it... and as for the wheels... lol my slip i missed that u need to change the struts. my bad.
hey get an air ride kit for it!

[Chris]

They have air ride kits that wouldn't take a massive amount of modification to fit?

[crazy k]

sensatracks vs KYBs.... hard argument.   both are good, but I lean a bit towards the KYBs.  Have you checked rockauto for pricing?  remember you can do an online search and find a 5% discount code...

[Chris]

sensatracks vs KYBs.... hard argument.   both are good, but I lean a bit towards the KYBs.  Have you checked rockauto for pricing?  remember you can do an online search and find a 5% discount code...

I haven't, every time I try to order something from rockauto they cancel my order because they can't verify my address. I gave up on them a long time ago.

[crazy k]

if that is where you live, I can see why....  :shock:

they are pretty helpful over the phone... I would contact them and see what can be done, if their prices offer you enough savings to do the job.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

ive yet to see the parts or install for the air ride kit for gen 1 Ws. but the ones i have seen arent too bad... i wonder about the kit for a unileaf suspension though. i mean, where does the airbag go in the back? usually you pull the shock out of the coil and there is a replacement for that, or it sits between the frame and the axel (pickup trucks) but i dunno about ours, ive heard its there though.

[crazy k]

ive yet to see the parts or install for the air ride kit for gen 1 Ws. but the ones i have seen arent too bad... i wonder about the kit for a unileaf suspension though. i mean, where does the airbag go in the back? usually you pull the shock out of the coil and there is a replacement for that, or it sits between the frame and the axel (pickup trucks) but i dunno about ours, ive heard its there though.

Slamdit from W-body did air ride on his car... he made a custom heavy duty trailing arm, and the air bag rode between it and the body about mid way...

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

thats not a bad idea. how far back did they sit? probably almost at the end of the t/a, huh? shit i could do that for so cheap. i get the digital buttons and gage with a compressor for $250 or so, and the airbags i get for like $40 a bag if i know what part# i need, and i can order 10 and send 9 back. lol

[Chris]

So I've decided to use the Sensatracks on the RS and buy all new KYB's for the Euro.

So now I've been thinking about springrates... Since the monoleaf is sagging about an inch, I'm thinking the coilovers will be supporting the car more than the monoleaf (since I want it about 2-3" higher than it's sitting now). Since this is going to be the case, the monoleaf is going to be more of a helper spring with the coilovers being the primary springs. From what I've read most guys use 250lb springs to fully support the weight of the car. I should be good for the 110-150lb range since I'm keeping the monoleaf. I don't want to get 110's and then find out they're too soft, or get 150's and find their too hard. I might get 130's but then those could either be too soft or too hard, hell for all I know the 150's could be too soft or the 110's too hard...

Ugh.

[crazy k]

why not DELETE the monoleaf?