I just got my 87 Raider back up and running after an 18 month downtime due to a blown engine. Nothing like rebuilding it from the ground up yourself!

I was comparing my Raider to my friend's (also an 87 SWB) and hers naturally sits higher than mine but there were no known mods done to hers. Measuring from the front fender down to the center of the hub (thus eliminating the difference in tire size), she's got about 1/2" on me and it's about a full inch in the rear.

Can anyone explain what might be going on? As far as we know her torsion bars and shackles are stock / set to stock.

I'm replacing all of the shocks this weekend, but I'm not convinced that's going to get me up any higher -- I'm more concerned with the difference at this point than the height itself. Will new shocks help out (like if all of the current ones are crappy, and I'm pretty sure they are)? I'm putting in an add a leaf at the same time, but might my leaf springs in the rear be shot?

Any insight would be appreciated!

The tbars on yours have probably just sagged some over the years and might need cranked up a bit to get it to stock/factory ride height.

Ride height is likely due to sagging suspension (due to fatigue/age/etc.).

To update the rears, you can go with an Add-A-Leaf.

For the front Torsion bar setup, check if you can torque them some more. Hers may be torqued so that may be another reason.

For Shocks, KYB seem to be the ticket and can be had for $25 or so at local auto parts places.

Thanks for the input. Imagine my chagrin when I swiped my 31's off hers to put on mine, put 235's on hers, and we were almost the same height!

I'll check the tbars this weekend when I'm doing the shocks. I'm putting KYB GAJ's on the front but Rancho RS5000's on the rear along with the add a leaf. From what I read, the KYB rears have the same travel as stock and if I go with longer shackles in the rear (which is likely) I might want the added extension.

You can get extended KYBs for your rear. I believe the part numbers can be found in the parts repository. From what I heard, the ranchos are not worth it.

Some like the RS9000's. For KYB's check with them directly. They have a great tech support line and I've gotten lots of help from them figuring out what will fit on my v6.

I saw several posts saying you can get the longer KYB's and indications were "mods" were required. I never got a good feel for what those might entail, to be honest, so Rancho's are on order.

If the Ranchos suck I can always give them to my friend! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

First of all, those mods were for v6 monty's not your 2.6 model. IIRC, these modifications entailed using a punch to remove the stock spacers and installation of different sized spacers. Any professional installer should be able to do this easily, but again, they didn't apply to your rig.

If you're getting rancho's just be sure to stay away from the RS5000's as I've heard too many complaints about them not holding up long term. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />