The Oldsmobile Connection

gunmetal88 · Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Frederick, MD

Hi everybody. I own an 86 delta 88 royale brougham. I want to lower it in the worst way without having to bag it or use hydros. I read somewhere that they make coil-overs for the car. Can anyone give me information on how to find these, or if not, another alternative to drop my ride. Thanks

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

maybe my car isnt as low as you had in mind, but I trimmed the springs on my delta. The biggest problem you'll have in dropping it any more than mine is, is the subframe underneath the engine, and where the a-frames attatch to the subframe.

My subframe is a whopping 2.5" or maybe 3" off the ground, and it scrapes on most larger parking lot approaches and such.

So if you are going for the slammed look on your car without airbags, it wont be driveable!!! Unless, you make yourself a body kit or something to disguise how high your car actually is from the ground.

There are replacement sport springs avaiable, but you'll definately need good struts though or else it'll bounce like hell!!!

Anyways, just some facts I've found on the subject.

Brianritchie21787 · Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 266 Location: Tolland, CT, USA

i was about to ask the same question, i have an 84 delta 88 and i wanna drop it maybe 2 inches to complete the lowrider look, but i have no garage and im looking for somthing i could do in my driveway, im not lookin for air bags or hydros either cause im on a high school budget... i saw these "spring compressors" on the JCwhitney web site for like 15$, i was wondering if anyone knows if those work and if not, is there any lowering springs made for my car? ive checked companys like ebach and couldnt find any made specificly for my car.. and help appreciated ](*,) Brian

oldsmobile420 · Joined: 21 Dec 2003 Posts: 238 Location: pa

"spring compressors" no no no no no one hard bump and u can say bye bye to that compressor
for real i had them and i hit a bump and on fell off and i had to drive my car home wit one spring taller then therest it suxs wont recommond "spring compressors"

BigBlockOlds · Joined: 04 Jan 2004 Posts: 171 Location: Ohio

Spring compressors are the tool you use to remove the springs from the car safely. You don't leave them on!

I assume the ones your talking about have two hooks at each end with a threaded rod in the center and a nut on the bottom where you turn it with a wrench, socket or impact gun?

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

"Spring Lox" is the name of those clamps, I used them on my car for about 3 months before I replaced my struts and trimmed the springs.

They suck.

You have to put at least 2 on each spring, they are hard to work with and they dont do shit for dropping a vehicle. You have to totally compress at least 2 coils before you can even notice a difference with a tape measure.

Terrible things to work with, trust me!!! But, if you decide to experiment with them, make SURE you tighten the clamp as far as it will possible go, and lock the nut with a second nut. If you dont, they can work themselves loose while you are driving, and possibly cause some damage, or a flat tire or something.

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

brianritchie, I think I heard once that with a car like yours, the older body on frame style, you could use the aftermarket springs that are made for use with impala SS'es or something? I know for a fact they make coil overs for those cars.

bdyman · Joined: 19 May 2004 Posts: 161 Location: chicago baby!!!!

your suspension and brakes are the most important part of a vehicle
and ya guys are tryin to modifiy suspension parts and that shit is dangerous!!! most of ya guys have the old grandma cars and your tryin to make them into something that they will never be iam sorry!!
if ya cut the springs your stupid!!! ride quality is gone handling is gone so on and so on
chassistech.com does make air ride for some of your cars

No53Alero · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 157 Location: CINCINNATI, OH

Here's some advice from experience. I've tried the spring lox or whatever and they are a pain in the ass and never worked so I went out and bought a second set of springs and had a welding shop cut one link from them and then make the bottom coil lay flat so it would sit right. I the had them installed and them didn't notice a big difference. So I went out and bought some Gabriel Hi-Jacker air shocks. when I let all the air from the air shocks it dropped a lot lower and was adjustable. Granted that's only for the back but it solved the ride problem and sat me pretty low. to get the front slammed I went out and bought a set of air struts from chassis Tech/Aim Industries as soon as they put out an ad saying airbags for ANY CAR. Eventually it morphed into what it is today, I've had the car doing dog-leg, three wheel and hopping.