How have you lowered your festiva?

[ricko1966]

I'd like to lower stock festiva an inch maybe an inch and a half.Seriously contemplating making a plate to raise the rear spindles(not concerned with tires hitting spring perches). In front I don't know if there's a different spindle that will lower it, springs from a different make or model. Am contemplating cutting off the front spring perches and either making brackets to mount them lower or rewriting them lower. Yes I know you're not suppose to weld on a sealed cylinder. But we used to lower rabbits and super beetles this way all the time. I've read on plenty of other forumns z cars, rx7s etc. Guys laying them on their side, welding a little on top wrap in wet rags let cool rotate, repeat. Just wondering what inexpensive methods some of you have used. I'm not trying to increase spring rate or alter ride just trying to drop it an inch.

[theastronaut]

Cut the springs. Use limiting straps to reduce droop in the rear for less body roll.

[ricko1966]

May end up cutting springs just didn't want to go there first. I'm not trying to increase the spring rate just want the wheel wells to look fuller with my wheel tire combination. And am under the impression no one sells lowering springs for Festys anymore. I have a few more ideas rattling around in my head just need to do some more playing with things.I spent hours before I posted on the search function but damn near everything involving lowering a festy involved coil overs. Because I played with Vws for so long and so much, I have tons of VW suspension pieces. Has anyone tried running MK1 or MK2 VW front and rear struts complete with VW springs?

[theastronaut]

VW springs are way too stiff, and will also lift the car instead of lowering it. Cutting the stock springs a little won't affect their rate that much, they're super soft to begin with. It's been proven on track that it will handle worse with cut or lowering springs and stock struts. Either way, you'll need to shorten the rear struts or use limiting straps for around 3" less droop. Droop causes body roll. I would suggest using '99 New Beetle rear bump stops in the rear struts as well to limit body roll.

[ricko1966]

Yep, I know lowering it is going to make it handle worse, that's why I'm just going an inch.This car is a D.D. Mostly hiway miles just trying to close the gap in the wheel well. Seriously considering shortening the bottom of the rear strut. And haven't put enough thought into the front yet.Id like to find a strut I can modify to fit the festy knuckle that would take festy springs but have a 1 inch shorter strut body. Maybe some MK1 or 2 struts with festy perches welded where I want them, festy springs and Rio tops. IDK yet. Mk1 mk2 struts are safe to weld on because you can remove the inserts. I've got some mk3s also I had forgotten about. Guess I 'll grab my balls in one hand tools in the other and see what happens. And I may just use cut springs and droop limiters I really don't know yet

[theastronaut]

It would be easier to just do raceland coilovers up front at that point. MK1 inserts fit in MK2/3 raceland housings, then you can choose a soft spring rate and set the height wherever you want it, and Rio top hats work with them. Blown racelands are dirt cheap, most guys don't realize you can swap the inserts.

[ricko1966]

I have mk1 mk2 and mk3 kybs and boges. So I just need to buy some blown mk2 or mk3 Graceland coil overs and pick out some springs?

[ricko1966]

Okay coilovers isn't really where I wanted to go originally, but here's a what if. I found a complete mk2 raceland coilovers kit as per your suggestion will front and rear both bolt in with minor mods then just get some appropriate springs? And thanks for the help

[theastronaut]

The mods to make the fronts fit is covered in the "advance suspension" guide. The mk2/3 rears are too long, that's why the advance setup uses mk1 rear shocks instead.

[ricko1966]

Thanks, so I guess it's going to be mk2 and mk1 with coilovers. Thanks for the help. Lowering the car just went on back burner.A little crash so body repairs and a windshield are new priority. Again thanks for the help. Been driving my b6 car while the DD. Is down God I forgot how much quicker and faster the B6 car is.