Caravan shocks/struts on a 2gn?

Barry McCockener · Post by **Barry McCockener** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 7:52 pm

Odd question, I know but I'm curious. I'm going to need new shocks/struts soon and a big part of the reason is the parking lot at work. It's a field. I want to use the shocks/struts from a caravan or maybe a PT if it'll give me a little more ride height. Plus I like to play around on dirt roads when I find them. Will the PT struts give me a higher ride height?

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 8:45 pm

Pretty sure rear shocks from a PT or caravan aren't going to work. IIRC, they are both straight axles.

Yes the front struts would give it a lift, but there would be no give to it either. It would be like having a 2x4 board for a suspension.

Many moons ago, I used Shadow struts in an Omni very briefly. it rode as described. The weight difference between an Omni and a Shadow is far less than the weight difference between a neon and a Caravan.

Not really sure what the difference is with a PT Cruiser, but FWIW, the sway bar is 26mm IIRC for a PT vs 24 for an SRT.

The stock height is pretty good anyways. More of what you need is a little higher spring rate to keep from bottoming. You are going to eat CV joints by raising the ride height too much anyways. It would be like constantly turning a tight circle for 40,000 miles.

Not saying they would live that long, just an example. CV joints live as long as they do, because the bulk of their life is straight ahead, or smaller angles. Much less actual movement, just the normal amount of suspension travel.

I would just use SRT struts with the stock springs all in all. You will get about a half inch lift, and can run larger sized aggressive snow tires.

Maybe add about a half of a jounce bumper to the existing one to help dampen bottoming. It is what I now use with my 1.5 lowering springs, and it seems to work far better than just trimming the existing one.

I did on the first set of springs, like recommended, and it always bottomed horribly. It's a wonder the Tokico's are still working.

Oh and some STB's would be recommended if you want to help the body structure a little.

Barry McCockener · Post by **Barry McCockener** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 11:52 am

Ok, I need a little bit of edjumakashun. What is a jounce bumper and STB's?

The rest makes sense so I think I'll to the SRT fronts with stock springs. Can I do 1gn rears to level it out?

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 12:53 pm

Jounce bumpers are what keeps the top hat from smashing into the strut body.

Strut Tower Braces

I would just use SRT rear springs/ regular struts in the rear.