Factory leaf springs work great if you're hauling lumber. If you want your Chevelle to handle like it was built this century, you need coilovers.
Adjustable ride height. Better handling. No more leaf spring sag. The car sits level, turns flat, and rides better than factory ever did.
The Ridetech TigerCage system replaces the rear leaf springs with a four-link suspension and coilover shocks. Front gets coilovers in place of the factory springs and shocks.
Front coilover kit: [Ridetech Front Coilover System for Chevelle (11164010)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZTXB3M?tag=rusttoroad-20)
Rear four-link kit: [Ridetech TigerCage Rear Suspension for Chevelle (11169598)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZTXCOW?tag=rusttoroad-20)
Jack up the front, support the frame with jack stands. Remove the wheels. Unbolt the upper and lower control arms. Remove the factory springs and shocks.
The coilovers bolt to the factory upper and lower control arm mounts. No welding required. Install the shocks, adjust spring preload, and bolt everything back together.
Pro tip: Set the ride height before final tightening. Measure from the ground to the rocker panel—you want 5-6 inches for a mild drop.
Support the rear axle with a floor jack. Unbolt the leaf spring U-bolts and shackles. The springs slide out. You're done with leaf springs forever.
The TigerCage bolts to the factory frame rails using the existing holes. No welding. The cage includes upper and lower trailing arms, a Watts link, and coilover mounts.
Assembly required: Follow Ridetech's instructions exactly. The Watts link must be centered or the rear axle will track crooked.
Bolt the coilovers to the cage mounts. Adjust spring preload to level the car side-to-side. Measure from the ground to the rocker panel—match the front ride height.
You need a professional alignment after this install. The car won't handle right without it. Tell the shop you want:
- Front: 3-4 degrees negative camber, 1/8" toe-in - Rear: Centered Watts link, minimal toe
Alignment tool (for DIY adjustment): [Longacre Toe Gauge (52-78510)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PWMWXE?tag=rusttoroad-20)
The coilovers are adjustable. Start with the shocks set to the middle position (12 clicks from full soft). Drive it. If it bounces, add compression damping. If it's harsh, soften it.
- Front coilover kit: ~$2,200 - Rear TigerCage system: ~$2,800 - Alignment: ~$150 - Misc hardware: ~$100
Total: $5,250 in parts. This is not a budget upgrade. But the handling transformation is worth it.
Car sits too low: Increase spring preload by threading the spring collar up. Each full turn raises the car about 1/4 inch.
Rear axle is crooked: The Watts link isn't centered. Loosen the center mount and adjust until the axle is parallel to the rear frame rails.
This is the most involved suspension upgrade you can do without cutting the frame. The result is a car that sits perfect, handles flat, and rides like a modern sports car. Plan for two weekends and have a case of beer ready for your buddy who's helping.
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