Hey there, I am new to this forum, but before I meet and greet, i have a question regarding lowering my car.

Having an early 03 TJ-bodied Verada, I understand that the wheel arch height is quite horrendous. As i want to lower my girl safely, I am going through a suspension business to do so, but I have been quoted on average $1600 for the job. The problem is that I thought shorter springs were the absolute cheapest option, but apparently new struts and BUMPERS of all things are needed. I can understand the need for struts but not new front bumpers.

Sorry for rambling, but my main question is, can I lower my car quasi-safely by painstakingly installing just shorter springs, or are these blokes quoting me fairly with the struts and new front bumpers among other things?

thanks

You can install shorter springs on standard shocks but you may find the life of your current shocks will decrease DRAMATICALLY. I would suggest you shop around for some new shocks too or just buy some coilovers.

Well, the easiest, cheapest and most reliable way to lower the car would be to buy lowered springs and aftermarket shocks. The standard OEM shocks do not take well to lowered springs - I know because I've done it and the ride quality is terrible. The car is great through corners, but over bumps it horribly 'boaty' and bouncy. It feels like the OEM shocks are trying to re-extend to their original height. Will be replacing them very soon.

DO NOT get your standard springs, or any springs for that matter, compressed/modified, if you care at all for your safety. It is a cheap but very stupid thing to do.

The reason you're getting quoted $1600 is because they're quoting for shocks, suspension and bump stops being changed and of course; labour. You have a 10 year old car, it's highly likely your bump stops are rooted, and even if they're not, why would you not change them when the struts are being dismantled? They're barely $60-80 for a set and will last the rest of the lifetime of your car (unless you get stupidly low suspension). When you consider that the average set of shocks will set you back $500-650, springs range from $250-350 and bumpstops from $60-100 (for a set) then $400-600 for labour isn't too bad, however it probably can be done for cheaper or even better; DIY. Not hard to do on your own (or with a friend) if you have the right tools.

You have a few options with shocks and springs.

Spring brands range from Kings Springs, Dobinsons, Lowells and Pedders. Preference between magna owners is King Springs or Dobinsons for an affordable set of springs with Kings being the stiffer variant. Lowells is a fair bit more expensive and not used much as of late. And Pedders is highly discouraged by many due to price and low quality (can't talk from experience though).

Shock brands range from OEM, Pedders, Gabriel, Ultima, Monroe, KYB, Koni and Boge.
Gabriel is one of the cheapest available but apparently is good value for money, although NOT a performance shock so don't expect wonders. Only has 2 year warranty as well. Super Cheap Auto sells a full set for just over $300. About the same level as Ultima, expect ultima is made stronger for lowered springs.
I'd put the Monroe GT Gas as level with the KYB's albiet a little less stiffer. About the same price, in Australia.
KYB are a good shock and can be found for $400 delivered for a full set from overseas. I will be fitting these to my car
Boge are the best value for money and Wholesale suspension in NSW will ship them to you for just over $500. They have lifetime warranties and are a very good shock.
Koni are probably some of the best shock absorbers you can buy. Unlike the other they're adjustable.

Otherwise, there's coilovers from Kido, XYZ, and K-sport. If you're going to buy coilovers spend the money and get quality ones from K-Sport, otherwise take a gamble and hope for the best with Kido/XYZ.

I don't think 'bumpers' or bump-stops is entirely unnecessary, especially when you're lowering. The bump-stops will be subject to smaller clearances and subsequently more occurances of bottoming out. Best to get new ones from the outset. And depending on the condition and quality of your shocks, they'd be much in the same boat.

'Bumpers' cost around $50, and would take virtually nil labour to install if done during a spring change. I had King Lows on my TJ VR-X and I chewed through the original front bump stops in 50,000km. You need to take the springs out to change them, so it's a helluva lot cheaper just to do it from the outset.

At the age of a TJ, it makes sense to change your shocks too, particularly if you care about your ride/handling. If you don't give a shit how your car rides or handles, you can just leave the originals in.

$1600 is definitely on the steep side though. For new springs (Kings or Dobinsons) with decent mid-range shocks (KYB or Boge) and a wheel alignment, I would have said around $1000-1200 would be reasonable.