LOWERING C3 Corvette Rear Suspension

Achieving the PERFECT STANCE on a C3 Corvette is not difficult. Especially getting the back to drop about 2 inches is super easy.
Well, in theory, anyway. DO NOT start taking things apart without having the proper information as this job can be dangerous.
In this video, I show you how I lowered my 1981 C3 Corvette approximately 2" by installing longer leaf spring shackle bolts. And for the record, I like to use pre-drilled bolts with castle nuts and a cotter pin. Call me old-fashioned, but I really trust that setup.
To do this job safely, you will need a way to lift or raise the car, two garage floor jacks to remove the old bolts and install the new ones, plus a good selection of wrenches.
Did I mention that this job can be dangerous? Well, it can be, so get as much information as possible before you begin turning wrenches.
Lowering the front of a C3 Corvette, or any other vehicle that uses coil springs for the front suspension, is a subject for another time. And talk about danger.
Lowering your Vette makes the car drive and look so much better, in my opinion, and lowering the back is an excellent place to start.
Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻
P.S. I ordered the bolt kit from RPI tinyurl.com/52ckaubm
CONTENTS
00:07 Getting the Car Ready to Lower the Back
00:16 Longer Leaf Spring Bolt Kit
00:36 Removing the Old Short Shackle Bolts
05:27 Installing the Longer Lowering Bolts
14:07 Lowered Rear for the Perfect Stance
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CORVETTE PRODUCTS (sponsored)
- 63-82 Corvette Lowering Bolts: amzn.to/3UutVmw
- C3 Assembly Manuals: amzn.to/3MUFDDC
- 68-82 Corvette Manual: amzn.to/3devEEW
- How to Restore Corvette: amzn.to/35B6L0R
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DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on my Corvettes and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.
I am a self-taught DIYer. If videos appear to give technical how-to advice, that is not my intention.
Working on a vehicle can be dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a mechanic.
#c3corvette #lowering #carstance

[@fabedog383]

Thanks for the video I was trying to refresh myself how to do this again. Just go round I also have a 9 inch bolt but what I did and I’m sure you still can is I drilled a hole in the bottom of the bolt about 3/4 inch down from the current hole for the cotter pin to go into to lower the car even further. It was of course a lot easier with the bolts removed! I think it will also look a bit cleaner too with less thread showing so that might give you the next year 3/4 of an inch you’ve always wanted lol

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@diaveldriver3091]

Another great video my friend... Greetings from Germany, more specifically Saarland Beckingen 🙂 BtW my Corvette is also from Florida, from Boca Raton 😁 Greetings Karl 🙂

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻 Greetings from Florida USA 🌴🏖️🇺🇸

[@musclecarmitch908]

Great installation! Looks perfect now! Amazing how much difference the stance of a car can make!👍

[@kerrybloxham7741]

Well done I did the same thing to my 73 corvette about 15 years back and during that time you could not find the longer bolts you need. So I had to make my own,it’s great you can buy theses bolts now and I will do the same thing, thanks for sharing my friend you always have excellent videos and a willing to share knowledge. Thanks again.kiwi from california.

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@nojnoj3069]

Absolutely gorgeous.....yes, the perfect stance.

[@ajmaresca2165]

The stance looks much better now. No question about it. Over time the bushings will also compress closing the gap another 1/4". The video gave us all the information needed if we were tempted to tackle the job ourselves. Well done.

[@76vette]

The car looks amazing with my 76’s wheels on it. P225/70R15s. My 76 is not very happy though. Lol 😆 Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@ajmaresca2165]

The tire size on the late model C3 make a big difference on the stance of these cars. Starting in 78 the pace car came with 60 series tires. But were not standard equipment all Corvettes. The wider profile tire's had a lower overall height which changed it's stance. I believe all 78 - 82 model years came with P225 70 15 as stock items. Unless the 60 series tire was ordered from the factory. The way you can tell is easy. The front tire wheel well lip has been shaved off at the factory to account for the wider tire and prevent any tire tub. Just a little Corvette trivia.

[@76vette]

@@ajmaresca2165 Good to know. Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@metalstonk2633]

Much, much better! I changed these out on a Chevy Celebrity years ago. Was moderately easy, but made me a little nervous. Job well done!!

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@anthonycammaroto7013]

Looks great 👍 i just did my 75 and mine had the sway bar and the brake line in the way 😫 another great GM design lol . Im glad you installed washer correctly facing cushions, a lot of owners do it . Great video as usual lou

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@jessemarinjr6374]

GREAT STANCE !! GREAT JOB !! JESSE VIA LAS VEGAS

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@marknichols7861]

Great video! I’ve been looking forward to seeing it. I noticed that you have jack stands under the QuickJacks. Do you have the lift at a height between the locking bars, or is it just for extra safety? Keep up the great work. I ordered this kit from RPI based on your recommendation.

[@76vette]

Yeah I use the jack stands as an extra layer of safety. RPI lowering bolts are a great value. 😊👍🏻

[@onsturn]

Not sure about your year but on my 69 C3 the metal band clamp on either side of the rear leaf spring should be removed and is only there to keep the leafs together during shipping.

[@76vette]

Interesting. I’ll have to research that. Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@gtuttle4]

What size tires are in the before / after shot?

[@76vette]

235/60-R15s

[@gtuttle4]

@@76vette Thanks, I know some people run 255/60/15.

[@76vette]

@@gtuttle4 Yes. Those were an option back then. RPO QXH.

[@manymany4879]

c3 is cooler HIGHER ... not lower. i hate hitting things on the road.

[@76vette]

You have your definition of “cool,” and I have mine.