Cost To Lower A Car

Nothing looks better than a lowered car, which has no unsightly space between the wheels and the car body. In addition, the lower the center of gravity, the better the handling and the smoother the running. Also, the stability increases because less air gets under the car.

However, the lowering of the car must take into account factors such as rough terrain, passenger comfort, noise, etc. Most cars have soft and comfortable suspension straight from the factory, but this does not maximize the quality of the driving experience.

The height adjustment is done in such a way as to find the balance between the aspect you want and the functionality. Although low cars look good, they can have problems such as loss of grip, rubbing of tires, or inability to cope with rough terrain.

 How Much Does It Cost To Lower A Car?

However, if you still want to lower your car you should know that the costs start at only $100 and can go up to more than $10,000, depending on your vehicle. In the table below you will find the average costs of different types of modifications done in order to lower your car.

Why lower your car?

People choose to lower their car for several reasons, but the most common is the visual appearance. When compared to a normal car, a lowered car will look more aggressive and sleeker. Moreover, your car will stand out of the ordinary in the crowd of cars.

You might also like our articles on the cost of suspension system repair, control arm bushings replacement, or shocks and struts replacement.

Besides the new appearance, a lowered car will let you feel the road better during driving. Also, you will experience a clear lean reduction when turning because the center of gravity is lowered and the weight is changed.

As a lowered car is closer to the ground, you will handle it better. You will notice that your car is more stable even at high speeds. The weight transfer is reduced when you hit the brakes hard because stiffer springs are used. It is well-known that lowered cars have faster acceleration, but they also stop faster.

A lowered car will have larger wheels and tires, a bigger patch of contact, and a thinner sidewall. Thanks to this design the tires will have more grip on the road and the traction is improved.

Also, the aerodynamics of the car is improved and this is great when you corner because the risk of rolling over at high speeds is reduced.

Hiring a professional vs doing it yourself

You will have many advantages if you choose to lower your car by yourself. You will be able to save money and time.

You will not have to pay for a mechanic and will also have complete control over your budget. Moreover, you can work whenever you want and you will not have to wait for the car shop to open and start working.

However, if you don’t have the necessary knowledge about car repairs and modifications, you better go to a car shop.

You may waste your time and money if you don’t have the proper experience and you don’t know how to do this work. Plus, you can break something in your car and in the end spend more money.

It is pretty complicated to work on the suspension system and with the high pressure of the springs. So, if you don’t have the right tools and experience, you should hire a mechanic.

How to lower a car?

When you want to lower your car, there are many methods you can choose between.

Method 1: Replacing Springs and Shocks

If you want to lower your car, you can do it yourself at home by replacing the springs and shocks. Before doing it, you will have to install airlines, a system activation switch, an air compressor, and an air reservoir tank.

Method 2: Torsion Bar

You can adjust the vehicle’s torsion bar by lowering down its bar key. This job can be easily done with a small hand wrench.

Method 3: Hydraulic Cylinders

A car can be lowered by installing hydraulic cylinders in up to four suspension corners of the vehicle. Before installing the new hydraulic system, you must install an internal control system, hydraulic pumps, and batteries, in order to operate the pumps. This method requires a strong power battery.

Method 4: Coil Springs

You can choose to cut the coil springs using a grinder, cutting wheel, or a torch. You should cut it in increments and not all at once.

Also, you can try to replace the shorter springs with stock coil springs. Or if you don’t want to do this work by yourself, you can take your car to an auto shop to shorten and soften the springs.

Finally, you can change the coil springs from the back or in the front of your car. These are joined on the A-frames or on the axles.

Method 5: Leaf Springs

You can change the leaf springs of the vehicle as these are made of thin spring steel bands which are attached and banded together.

It is recommended to go to a spring shop to de-arch the leaf springs from the back of the suspension wheel. However, you should use a reverse shackle if you want to do this job by yourself.

In case you want to get an increased drop, you can do it by yourself using a flip kit and coupling it with lowering blocks. There are different heights for the lowering blocks and these allow the car to drop really low. You can also install these at home or go to a mechanic.

Your car can be lowered by more than two inches by using leaf springs.

Depending on how low you want your car to be, you may have to install a C-notch on the rear axle. This notch will offer a clear gap between the frame and the axle.

Which is the cheapest method to lower a car?

The least expensive way to lower your car is to install springs that are shorter, but similar to the suspension system of your vehicle.

Through this method, your car will be lowered by one to two inches. If you choose to do this work by yourself, you will have to spend anywhere between $110 and $550.

In case you choose to go to a professional, you should expect to pay around $510, or even more only for the labor.

So, one of the easiest ways to lower your car is to install shorter springs.

How Much Does It Cost To Lower A Truck?

The amount of money you would have to spend in order to lower a truck is similar to that of lowering a car. However, the cost may vary from one type of vehicle to another.

Also, the cost will be influenced by the type of modification you want.

How Much Does It Cost To Lower Suspension?

You can also lower your car by replacing the stock springs in the suspension with lowering springs. Plan on spending anywhere between $110 and $720 for a kit for lowering springs. Though, if you choose to go to a professional you will have to pay anywhere between $210 and $850.

Your car can be lowered by almost three inches with these lowering springs.

Things to know before lowering your car

1. Don’t be surprised by a more rigid drive. Not many expect this, but the car will be much stiffer after mounting the new suspensions. When you adjust the height of the car (decrease the height), you practically decrease the stroke of the spring and the shock absorber. For this reason, they will have a shorter run and a lower tolerance, more precisely, you force them to do the same work but with more limited resources. The smaller this system, the stronger the shock will feel.
2. The real problems arise when the changes are not made only to springs and shock absorbers. If you want to change the suspension, change everything around it and buy a completely special set for your car. Don’t buy aftermarket and incomplete parts just for the sake of a cooler-looking car. Also, in the same order of ideas, your car will be more and more rigid if, in addition to a new suspension, you add bigger wheels and small heel tires. We advise you to somehow check the set-up before mounting all the parts on the car and even work with someone who has made these changes before.
3. Remember, the lower the car, the closer the obstacles are to you, the car, and the oil bath. You may have to cross the tramlines carefully and go slower on roads you don’t know just to avoid all kinds of potholes or bumps. When it comes to parking, it will be almost impossible for you to climb on a curb or down a steep ramp.
4. Though, driving will be safer. A set of stiffer suspensions will help you get rid of the effect of balance, felt when accelerating in force or sudden braking. The muzzle of the car will no longer tilt vertically, and the car’s reactions will be firmer. Last but not least, high-speed stability will be excellent.

FAQs

Is it illegal to lower your car?

The law may vary regarding the acceptable height to lower a car, depending on the state you live in. For instance, there are states in the U.S. where there is a limit on how much to lower the suspension.

How much do lowering springs cost?          

The cost of the springs will also affect the cost of installing these parts. For instance, for a $160 spring, the installation will cost almost the same.

How much does it cost to lower a car?

The cost to lower a car would be anywhere between $100 to more than $10,000, depending on the type of lowering and whether you do it by yourself or hire a mechanic.

How much does it cost to lower a truck?

The cost will depend on the type of lowering, the cost of the lift kit, and who does the work, either a professional or you. Though, the cost would be anywhere between $400 and $12,500.

Why does it cost so much to lower a car?

You will have to spend a large sum of money to lower your car because this job requires a lot of materials and effort. Also, it has to be done carefully and properly to make sure it’s safe to run the car.