Lowering a vehicle can sharpen the looks and increase performance dramatically. But what does it really do and why does it help?

Imagine a car as a giant 3000lb weight suspended above the wheels. When you turn, that weight is shifted opposite of the direction by gravity trying to compensate for the force. This is what’s known as body roll. This is what spills your coffee. This is due to a high center of gravity in combination with saggy springs. When you install lowering springs, you are reducing the center of gravity therefore creating less resistance on the chassis through the turns. This will result in quicker steering response and crisper road feel. The look of lowering car or truck is also unmatched. Closing that wheel gap that is present makes the entire look of the vehicle more aggressive. Be sure when choosing a ride height you measure all wheel clearances. The drop will be the amount from the bottom on the fender lip to the top of the tire. Make sure you have room! It is imperative! You may also want to look into spring rates. Different springs have different rates, which will affect the handling of the vehicle and the overall ride quality. Higher spring rates will yield a tighter suspension but a stiffer ride. Softer springs will still increase performance but will maintain a decent ride quality.

Choosing the proper spring takes a bit a time and research. Doing it right the first time will save you a headache in the long run. Remember when lowering a vehicle, it is generally recommended to add a camber correction kit. This will keep your alignment in spec and tread of your tires.