I had to check out some things running thru my head with this car... for one, without the engine & transmission, the front end sits up quite high, probably around 3" taller? I noticed that the upper A-arms are pretty much sitting on the frame at this point, limiting the lift height and potentially limiting down-travel when bouncing around offroad.
This is full down travel.... the shocks have been removed, as well as the anti-sway bar. -
Not that this is a long travel desert car, but several inches of suspension travel would be nice. I considered building my own uppers, but that seems like more work than I'd like to do? Then on a whim, I found these... upper A-arms for a DONK!!!
They're $440/pair, more than I'd like to spend for this car, but a simple way to get more down travel! These are good for up to 12" of lift, so I'd have down travel. I don't know for sure that I'll go this route, but it's an option.
Kit Includes: 2 x Front control arms Installation manual Full install DVD Bushings & ball joints (optional) Bushings, ball joints and cross shafts installed (optional)
www.universalcarlifts.com
Next up, I have been wondering about fitting up 'lift' springs or adding spacers, hoping to get 2-3" of lift for this thing to help fit the 35's. I'd rather not run spacers, so longer springs are the best bet. I didn't know how long the stock springs were or what shape they were, etc. I decided to pull the rear springs out and measure them. Looks like they are right at 15 1/4" long top to bottom unsprung and shaped very similar to a rear TJ spring.
From what I can find, stock TJ springs are 13" .... so a 4" lift spring should be 17" and offer 2" of lift on the Bonneville. Spring rate.... no idea what stock is, so if TJ coils are lighter, they'd compress more. I'd rather have a heavier spring rate, for bouncing around offroad.
On the front, I'll have to tear apart the suspension to figure out the coil spring length... but I'm not ready for that yet. Wonder if stock Gladiator springs would work?
eibach.com
