My '68 Summer driver is sitting a little low in the back. I am sure the original springs are getting tired. The car does only have 14" wheels, so I know that this is part of the issue. I just put new 70 series tires on it to raise it up a bit and that helped (it had 60 series tires on it).

Here's a pic of how it sat with the 60's on it (the front is low too but I am okay with it):



I am considering buying new rear springs, but hate the 4x4 look that I see with some cars that have had new springs. My question is, what rear springs should I go with that will give me a nice stance without the 4x4 look? I know I can get lowering springs from several aftermarket sources (Globalwest and Detroit Speed). Should I get the 1" lowering to keep the stance lower but not too low? Another source?

I preferred a lower look but I think it currently is a little too low in the back.

thanks,

Phil

Lower the front...

Not sure if they're still available but years ago I got a set of Monroe load leveler shocks. They were coil over and bumped the rear up just enough. Only issue is the axle bumper has to be modified or removed.
Some here have had springs re-arched, I never have. You could always cut a coil off the front to bring it down an inch but just how bouncy and saggy is the 40 year old suspension?

Or go redneck, shackles and air shocks. Make sure you paint the differental spray bomb Red.

what I did...and keep telling everyone who doesnt like the factory look

- 2" drop coils did the trick on my convertible. It gave my convertible a nice low stance without sacrificing to much ground clearance.

My car came with the road handling package that uses 4 leaf springs. I bought them from from Eaton and the stance is on the low side. I just cut one coil out of the stock front springs. The stance is perfect now.

As far as I am concerned, this is the correct stance for a 67/68. This is a photo of my 350/3 speed column shift red/red with poverty caps. The photo is from around 1970 or so. This is how the car sat without modifications. F70-14 wide ovals which lasted all of 12,000 miles when I was 16 years old.

Remember all, from the factory these 'birds were lower in the back an inch+ @ specified measure locations on the rocker. I know it doesn't look right but dems da facts.

I stand corrected. 8.6 front rocker, 8.2 at rear rocker per factory '69 Pontiac Service Manual.

Use stock 4-leaf springs.

I don't think you have anything to worry about at all. It looks like it sits just like it should, like Tom said, it sits lower in the rear from the factory, and it was designed to do so.

Unless your having any issues with bottoming out in any way, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Looks great!


Of course our driveway is up hill...

Brett!

You were able to afford a 2 year old first gen at 16?

yeah Brett ,everybody doesnt have that driveway!

YAH! But I have one like it, on a hill. And if you turn the car around facing the other way the stance is different. Good for pics but not for comparison.

heres a good stance on a level surface...
see my car pic in the sig.

I measured my 69 in the sig pic and it's dead on in back and 1/4 inch too high in front as compared to factory specs. That's on level cement with original wheels and 235's.

Ya, they were lower in the rear from the factory...but it just doesnt cut it for me.

Better weight transfer and traction that way. Gotta love that even if you don't like the look.... Also, 'the lower the better' for handling.

when you take off , some lifting should occur.....

I like the "sniffing" look of the front....

I know this is a pretty old post. I've been busy all summer fixing heat pumps, so haven't been around here. Sorry for the late reply. I had a wealth parent... who also didn't want to drive me to school. I bought a brand new '68 Firebird from the showroom floor. My photo is from around 1970, in front of the house. The photo is the stock ride height for a multi-leaf '68 with 3-speed. The only modifications I made to that car was a zoom clutch and the shifter. Warrantee repair on the clutch was denied for "mutilation" and abuse before the 12,000 miles was up. The second time the clutch was toasted, I had an independent shop install a Hurst floor shifter and the Zoom clutch with B&B style pressure plate in place of the diaphram clutch the car came with. The stock column shift got jammed in the gate many times, shifting from 1 to 2.

I am very pleased with the stance of my car. I have stock springs front and rear as well as stock shocks. I personally like the look of the lower rear and when you launch the car it really does look nice and helps with the quick launch. If you look at my photobucket site I have pics as well as a couple of launch videos.

What I have done since the videos is add traction bars and frame connectors. Two things I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking for cheap and easy bolt on performance upgrades!!!!