Lowering a KE16

[Defender Jon]

I'm curious what you guys think... I want to lower my wagon a lot, 4-5 inches from stock. Would you suggest removing the cross-spring and find coils to fit the strut or ...? (The rear is pretty obvious with blocks and spring mods)

[Defender Jon]

I found coil over kits for my application, just curious if any one has done this.

[parrot]

There has actually been a bit of discussion about this recently.  Go to the last page of Stu's thread for the right way to go.

 

 

 

Also see here where there has been a discussion of the difficulties with doing it without coilovers, especially if you want to get really low

 

[Defender Jon]

Awesome! Thank you!!

[Defender Jon]

So, after much thought, I've decided to take bigger steps on my front suspension. I'm attempting to install an AE82 front cross member and suspension on my ke16. It'll take lots of fab but I believe it'll be worth it for bigger brakes and better suspension design. This photo is only a mock up at this time.

[parrot]

I assume you mean AE86?

[altezzaclub]

With that sort of fabrication in the front, what's the chance of a 5-link in the rear?

You could design it to be low right from the start.

[Defender Jon]

Actually ae82, just because I own the parts already. Slightly narrower than the ae86 I believe which is a bonus.

As far as the rear, I've thought about similar ideas... not planning on going that far with it at this moment. 

[altezzaclub]

So you're going to fit a FWD cross-member and suspension into a RWD??

I've been looking at using FWD LCAs and struts on a RWD, the extra track would be good.  However they don't have a cross-member as such, the chassis is very different and the LCAs mounts onto that.

It would be easier to use a RWD crossmember on it.

[Defender Jon]

Strange, ke82 is what I meant. Rear wheel drive stuff. Can't believe I didn't catch that sooner