okay so i've had my 96 for more than a few months now and i've been thinking and pondering....

SHOULD LOWER MY CAR???

can anyone help me out....im looking for the cheapest and most reliable lowering kit on the market...also what would need to be replaced so this is a safe procedure....

im a seventeen year old and i have a 7/hr job...please help..

 

I dont know what everyone thinks but I feel that Eibach is the most reliable and best quality. As far as installation. If you've never done this before you will spend a whole day on the install. If you dont have air tools I wouldnt recommend you do it at all.

Maybe if you go to a shop and get your struts changed they'll put the springs on for free.

In short, I recommend the Eibachs with a professional install if you dont have air tools. If you do have air tools then you'll do fine. Make sure you buy a spring compressor tool too. Dont loosen the bolt on the strut mount without compressing the OEM spring. My cousin likes to do that. Accident waiting to happen.

You dont really need to compress the Eibach spring to re-install. theyre short enough so that you can push down a little and the mount bolt will have enough thread to secure.

Let us know what you choose

 

so thats all i need the lowering kit and the tools?? no replacement of oem parts or anything...??

 

yep. not unless you break something. If your struts are old you should change them. KYB is what I have used and I will not use anything else. Never had a problem. Do not use Gabriel or Monroe struts with lowering springs. Tokiko is good too but expensive.

But you said your car is a 96. If the original struts are still on the car, chances are they will not last once you lower the car.

 

You will need to replace the strut bearings and dust boots, or to at least trim the bump stops. You will need new struts EITHER now or in a few months, and you will need springs.

I lowered my car the first time for $300, give or take. It CAN be done for cheaper, but it is rare. You will drop $100 on strut bearings and dustboots (together), and expect around $100 for used springs. AT LEAST $100 for used struts, most likely more like $200, but keep your eyes open.

Used springs for $100 are common. Used struts are more rare.

 

the car has less than 80000mi on it...how long do u think it'd take to change the shocks and stuff....???its not really driven hard...i dont treat it like a sports car so it should last a while...should i still change the shocks struts and all of that along with the lowering springs

 

If you want to do it right and be happy with the long term results then it's gonna take a bit of money, not that you can't get good deals on stuff but you do get what you pay for.

You could get some drop zone springs and keep the stock struts and spend $100.....but it won't turn out good. Crappy ride, probably an uneven drop.

For the money I would get some tein H-techs and KYB Gr-2's. Of course new strut mounts, bearings, and boots would be best but it's not required. I would at least do two of the above, probably the bearings and dust boots.

You can get tein H-tech for less than $200 and all four GR-2's for around $250 shipped on Ebay. The boots and bearings will be another $80-$100. In the end it's best to get quality parts, even if that means having to wait and save.

 

You can find Maxspeeds for $90 brand new. They are reliable.

 

where do u find those? and what did u replace in your car with them?

 

Regardless of what springs you choose, you still have to replace the same stuff.

You can find them on eBay, but not all of the time. Also, sometimes org members will buy, not install, and change their minds.

 

I got the 5 way adjusting tokico illumina with CE lowering springs that drop the ride about 1.5 in the front and 1.3 in the rear. Like Mike said if you are going to do the job, do it right and replace the bearings and boots. My boots don't even exist anymore and I am sure my strut bearings have some wear to them.

I went one step further and got new everything that was rubber along with the bearings! New for front: strut mounting bearings, upper spring rubber seats, bound bumbers with boots, polyurethane tubes for the new CE springs. The rear struts came with new washers, and bushings, so all I got was the upper spring seat rubber, and bound bumber with boots.

Struts with springs- $650.00 + shipping
New OEM equipment- $170.00 (got 40% off from everythingnissan.com)

I am going to do the install tomorrow afternoon and Saturday in my shop. I will post pics on Monday and let you guys know how it turns out.

And yes, I am freaking nuts!!