Correct Ride Height - Rear higher than Front?

[The Critic]

Hey guys,

I have a 92 Toyota Previa that I just did the rear shocks on. I put on KYB gas-a-just shocks and noticed that the ride height on the rear is 30" (measured from ground to wheel well), but the front ride height is about 27.5".

So, I have a 2.5" difference between the front and the rear. The front is sitting lower than the rear.

Is this normal, or do I need new front springs? I already have the new front struts, strut mounts, upper/lower insulators and bump stops ready to do the front strut replacement.

If I need new front springs, are there any aftermarket springs available? The OE springs are around $90/ea and I would rather not spend that much money if possible.

Thanks!

[timsrv]

I don't know if you need new springs or not, but based on my experience I'd guess they are fine. When empty it's normal for the back to be a bit higher. When you put 500 lbs or 3 average size people in the back it will ride flat. I think the rake of the higher back looks cool anyhow.

It's east to bring the front up a little bit by putting rubber "H" blocks (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029K20M/sr=1-25/qid=1155516203/ref=sr_1_25/002-8231095-7094425?ie=UTF8&s=automotive) in the front spring coils (see below).

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a23/timsrv/springblocks.jpg

For more information on Previa suspension and possible mods, check out this thread: http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?3-Lifted-All-Trac-Previa

[The Critic]

Thanks.

[The Critic]

I finally had a chance to install new front struts. The fronts got a set of KYB Excel-G struts (Made in Japan). The new struts did raise the front ride height a bit, but not much. Overall, the rear still seems abnormally high compared to most other Previas on the road; since this issue did not exist until I installed the new rear shocks, it is definitely related to the KYB gas-a-just shocks.

Is there anything in the installation of the rear shocks that may affect the ride height? Sequence of procedure? I went back and checked everything and nothing seems to be out of line.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t218/SodaJunkie/C2358CA7-8E18-473A-AFFE-69A10D31ED1F-14705-00000ED1C9AAEB6D_zps8b428b52.jpg

Although the ride height does not appear to have a negative effect on the handling, I would prefer to have the van look "normal" again. :rol:

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[timsrv]

I just read some reviews on Gas-A-Just shocks and people are saying they will slightly raise your vehicle. If you always drive empty then maybe that's a bad thing. If you're hauling people of other cargo that could be a good thing. Tim

[The Critic]

Tim - any chance that you can measure the ride height of your Previa, for comparison purposes? My number is obtained by measuring from the ground to the center of the wheel well. Thanks!

[timsrv]

I raised my Previa and put taller/stiffer springs on the back.........so my measurements wouldn't help.