Raising ground clearance

[Cavalier342]

Hey all
I really want to raise my Cavalier up a bit. It's too low to the ground in my opinion. At the moment it's got the standard 14" steels with the bog standard 195/60's. I'm thinking 15" steels with higher profile tyres. Now, as far as i was aware, 15" was the limit for steels on regular cars. Are there bigger sizes or not? Not alloys, just steels. Also, the tyres, whats the limit for clearance between wheel and body? i want some really high-profile tyres, maybe 75-80ish. Dont know if they are made like that though with the standard 195 width.
Thanks
Andrei

[Gaz]

you can get 15" steels but they arnt taht common on the 4 stud cars. The standard ride hight is massive i would be checking your front springs for missing chunks

[Cavalier342]

Thanks Gaz
Front springs are as they should be, but because its only riding on 14" wheels with small tyres, its too low to the ground. Thats why i want some bigger wheels really, to make it sit higher.
cheers

[andysri]

i cant think of any cars with 15'' steels on 4 studs, only cars that keep popping in to my head are 5 studs

[Cavalier342]

Ye thats what i was thinking too Well i'll go to my local scrappy sometime soon and see if they've got any higher profiles for my 14" wheels, or if not, i'll just get some 15"'s Either way, whatever helps raise the car, i want it

[Cavalier342]

Well, seeing as I found my dusty old topic, thought I'd update it
This time I'm after raising the manual, as it's higher than the auto anyway. I think because of the low mileage, the springs aren't as weakened, therefore it still has some of the original ground clearance.
Anywho, I managed to bump the front end up by about 15mm today, by implementing with wooden blocks in the springs. Of course that's not a permanent thing, but I'm dying to see what the car looks like raised up a touch. As I said, this is only a template starting point, until I get proper spring assisters.

I measured the 15mm difference at the wheel arch gap.

The height of the bottom lip of the front bumper is about 210mm, so a long way to go yet.

[Cavalier342]

I'm aiming for about 30mm front gain and 20mm rear gain to keep it level enough. Any more will be a bonus, but I don't want it too high otherwise it won't look right. Just want to bump it up a bit so I can comfortably fit some higher profile tires and have it sitting nice and high, so I can climb underneath easy enough for easier cleaning/maintenance/inspections.

P.S.
I believe this thread can be moved to Brakes Suspension & Steering forum, don't know why it's here lol.
Andrei.

[Envoy CDX]

I'm still at a loss as to why you want it higher, that will really effect the handling I'd imagine :/

[planetc]

Er... if you really want it higher do it properly with some +1 springs? Bear in mind that raising the car will have a negative effect on handling and aerodynamics. There is a reason why people started to lower suspension, and it had nothing to do with looks.

[Cavalier342]

I know, I know, I just don't like low cars. Yes they look good and a decent lowered Cav is spectacular.
But as for me, I prefer practicality instead of performance. I want it to sit nice and high because, as I mentioned, easier maintenance/underside inspections, and I do enjoy a bit of occasional off-roading. I'm never going to drive like Schumacher around corners, so I don't need performance from it. Around town and the occasional eco cruise, that's my usual driving style. Plus, I love fording deep water when I come to it. And yes, I really ought to buy a Land Rover, but considering how good the Cavalier is as an all-rounder, it will do just nicely. Besides, I've been thinking of getting me a trailer for moving stuff around when needed, so a cheap suspension upgrade only seems practical. And besides, spring assisters can be taken off or fitted on in minutes, so it's not a permanent feature And we all know that a higher ride height and larger tires give a much more comfortable ride. With my back playing up every now and then, I do love a bit of comfy cruising. Now do you guys get it?

[iangsi]

Don't take this the wrong way but why don't you do the american lowrider hydrolic suspension then you can have it any height you want when you want

[Cavalier342]

that would be amazing Don't worry I'm cool with that suggestion.
If only...

[planetc]

Now do you guys get it?

Nope.

[Cavalier342]

Now do you guys get it?

Nope.

I was waiting for you to say that
You get it really, come on. lol.

[btcctroy]

Don't raise it on the front any more than standard. You will give it negative camper meaning it will be dangerous to drive especially in wet conditions. Bearings and steering arms will be put under more strain

[planetc]

Voting begins, you are losing Andrei.

[Cavalier342]

I'll keep that in mind then. What if I fit larger tires though, surely that would give it slightly more stability in the wet.

[planetc]

I'll keep that in mind then. What if I fit larger tires though, surely that would give it slightly more stability in the wet.

Larger tyres, more sidewall flex, more comfort, less precision. You can get away with all the things you are talking about, to a point. Just don't go too mad because the whole lot together will make the car horrible to drive. If you really want something with greater ground clearance to play in puddles etc. then look at buying something designed for the purpose.

[Cavalier342]

playing in puddles. Love that.
Anyways, as I said, I want an upgrade that I can fit and take off whenever I want, not a permanent thing, it's not like I want it high up forever. Just the occasional time. Hence I thought spring assisters are a good choice.
The bigger tires are a must also.
I've lowered it to standard height anyway for now. Didn't want to put any stress on the springs.

[TurboSteven77]

[btcctroy]

i cant see you getting much bigger tyres on it tbh.

keep cavalier and buy a land rover.

[Cavalier342]

Oh definitely, I want a Defender. But for now, while I can just about afford to keep my cars running, I wanna make do with what I have
As for tires, I was thinking budget 195/70's or 205/70's on the standard alloys. That's an extra inch at least. Like I keep saying, I'm not after truck height, just a bit higher up than it is now.

[planetc]

Put a cushion on the seat.

[TurboSteven77]

you do know the highter you go the more unstable a hatch becomes

tbh you be better to sell it or othere car and buy a 4x4 but thats just me advice

[TurboSteven77]

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I'm aiming for about 30mm front gain and 20mm rear gain to keep it level enough. Any more will be a bonus, but I don't want it too high otherwise it won't look right. Just want to bump it up a bit so I can comfortably fit some higher profile tires and have it sitting nice and high, so I can climb underneath easy enough for easier cleaning/maintenance/inspections.

P.S.
I believe this thread can be moved to Brakes Suspension & Steering forum, don't know why it's here lol.
Andrei.

tbh no matter how hight you go to get under neath it you will still need ramp or jack it up in all my years never ever heard of anyone wanting to make cavalier 4X4 WHY not try see if frontier bits fitt or buy a frontier with 2lt 8v in it

as for sore back get sri seats they help my sore back and my cavalier is lowerd 60mill all round dont realy effect my back now tbh

good luck with makeing your cavalier a 4x4