Lowering your car or truck requires general knowledge of the specific chassis suspension components, and what aftermarket components are needed to get the drop your looking for. In this write up we will touch on a few of the more standard suspension types, the vehicles they will be found in and the drop suspension parts that are used.
Most later model cars use struts to suspend the vehicle. Some vehicles, even SUV’s can have front and rear struts. Another fairly common configuration is having struts in the front of the car or truck and then an alternate configuration in the rear like coil springs or even leaf springs.
This information is very good to know when considering converting your classic or late model vehicle to a custom air ride suspension system.
Below you will find the exact replacement components for your vehicle depending on the current suspension components that your car or truck uses. In some cases we can substitute coil springs for strut or trailing arms and coils for a custom 4-link kit that will be more accommodating. Knowing this would require a lot more information about ALL the suspension components that have been used in the production of passenger vehicles from the beginning, but for now we will stick with the basics (struts, coils, leaf springs).
Leaf springs are deleted to either go with a 4-link kit and coilovers or air bags. 4-links hold the rear straight axle centered and from shifting either front to back or right to left. Once your axle is free floating on links you can add the replacement suspension (coilovers or air bags). Below you will find a picture of both options to get an idea how this is accomplished.
