Best way to raise my Duster

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If you want to raise your Duster the proper way, you should move to a neighborhood with good schools.... :D
 
I have a '74 Duster, and even with 14" wheels on the front and 15" wheels in the rear, the front is too high. The rear shackles are about 5", I'd like them to be twice that. So, what would be the best way to raise the rear? Just get longer shackles? Different leaf springs? New shocks? (I haven't really looked into the shocks, if they are air shocks or what; could they be worn out and that's why it's so low?)

It is not a daily driver; just used for shows here and there. I just need the correct 'rake' for it.

Thanks for helping out someone who doesn't have all the technical knowledge!

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ur front is too hi to start with. Longer shackles will kill the rear springs in time , and can be unstable .
If you just have to have it hi in the rear , put good springs on it w/ raise/lowering blocks .
 
Ok, so stupid question: how exactly do I lower the front?
Adjust the torsion bars. There is a adjusting bolt in the middle of the lower control arms. 3/4" socket and a 1/2" ratchet usually does the trick. Jack the front end up put some jack stands underneath it so it's safe crawl underneath and unscrew those torsion bar adjusting bolts two or three turns. Let the car down see where it's at. I usually measure it at the top of the wheel opening on each side to get it even. Repeat as necessary.
 
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Adjust the torsion bars. There is a adjusting bolt in the middle iof the lower control arms. 3/4" socket and a 1/2" ratchet usually does the trick. Jack the front end up put some jack stands underneath it so it's safe crawl underneath and unscrew those torsion bar adjusting bolts two or three turns. Let the car down see where it's at I usually measure it at the top of the wheel opening on each side to get it even. Repeat as necessary.

Thank you! I appreciate hearing from someone who has actually done this so I don't have to try to YouTube it.
 
Thank you! I appreciate hearing from someone who has actually done this so I don't have to try to YouTube it.
Lift he car front up on both sides and support with Jack stands. The height adjustment bolt that is in the middle of the lower control arm will raise or lower the car dramatically! At 2 or 3 turns. Try 1 full turn Precisely.

Once the car is in the ground, bounce the front end up and down a good 5 or 6 times to get everything settled in good.

When you measure the height via the front fenders, use the tape measure at the tires center to the middle of the wheel and up to the fender. Mark it with a pencil line and write the height down. Go to the other side.

You can adjust each side. IF you can weigh down the drivers seat with your body’s weight, free lifting weights are great for this, you can then get both sides at a equal height as driven.

A good look height is when there is about less than an inch of clearance from the top of the tire to the fender lip. This is about where you want to start and probably end up when you’re finished.
 
I'd like to thank everyone for their help! Lowering it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I appreciate it!

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Make sure you don't have any clearance issues underneath- oil pan ect- can't be too low
 
If you go to raise it back up, you need to jack it up and get the weight off the wheels. Otherwise, you risk stripping out the adjuster bolts and the adjust bolt anchors. You really should take the weight off to lower them as well. Keep them well lubricated, too. Those parts are particularly expensive.
 
If you go to raise it back up, you need to jack it up and get the weight off the wheels. Otherwise, you risk stripping out the adjuster bolts and the adjust bolt anchors. You really should take the weight off to lower them as well. Keep them well lubricated, too. Those parts are particularly expensive.

I jacked up both sides each time I adjusted the height.
 
I don't think op's car needs ss springs. They made mine ride ridiculous high. He just need stock replacements to get rid of the sacked out forty year old stockers.



I never get tired of your car. Where did you get the wee mud flaps?

I don't know man. Since he lowered the front down, the back looks pretty good to me.
 
I never get tired of your car. Where did you get the wee mud flaps?

THey were on the car when I bought it. I should probably take them off but they aren't too noticeable.
 
THey were on the car when I bought it. I should probably take them off but they aren't too noticeable.

If you do, I'll buy 'em. They're trick and I'm now thinking about making some in stainless.
 
I don't think op's car needs ss springs. They made mine ride ridiculous high. He just need stock replacements to get rid of the sacked out forty year old stockers.
I don't know man. Since he lowered the front down, the back looks pretty good to me.
I hit the agree button there. His first photo had a hell of a reverse rake like the springs were shot out badly plus the mention of his long shackles at the back of the springs.
 
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