Hi, I'm new here. I own an ae86 and a 1984 mx-63L cressida. I know there is a cressida forum but it is impossible to register at. I have seen the 83 build on here (looks great btw) but I need more info. I would like to get about 2-3 inches lower. Has anyone used lowering springs for other cars in their cressidas? I have tried other toyota forums but no one seems to know anything about this year as it has independent rear suspension. Thanks for looking!

I am curious myself.

I was thinking air bags would be the only way to go...

I think finding air ride suspension for an 84 cressida might be very difficult as well.

Most of the better air ride stuff is custom anyway...

And that's why I am interested in other options, as you are.

x6 with IRS?! Weird, lucky Canadians!! It prolly has a similar rear suspension to the x73 then. If that's the case, get lowering springs for an mk2 supra.

A 1.5" lowering spring for an mk2 is going to be about a 3"-4" lowering spring on a cressida, so keep that in mind!!

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'70 sl350, '86 spree, '88 cressida

Thanks for responding! So the extra weight of the cressida makes the springs sit a lot lower? Can I use the MkII supra lowering springs in the front and the back? What shocks should I use with the MkII supra springs? My main goal is to improve cornering and lower the center of gravity without sacrificing too much of the ride quality, so race stiff coilovers are not an option.

Your oem struts should be ok with supra springs, but I'd take the bump stops out or cut them down alot shorter. MK2 springs are just alot shorter overall then cressida springs, so even an oem supra spring would lower your car a bit, but it would be too soft a ride in my opinion.

I bought mk2 Suspension Techniques (Bell Tech in Canada?) springs for my x73 and they ride well. They are a bit stiffer spring rate, but definately not track stiff. If you want a comfortable ride, they'd be perfect in my opinion, about as close to oe ride quality as you can get with 3"-4" of drop, lol. (note: I cut like 2.5 coils out of mine and they still run great, lol).

If you want to upgrade your struts too you can get sw20 rear strut cartridges for the front (kyb makes the agx adjustable strut for this application), but they are a shorter stroke, and your strut housing would require modification.

For the rear you can get Ford Focus shocks or late '80s Camaro shocks. Both are a shorter stroke then oem, and a few companies (like kyb) make an adjustable option. Or if you want it really stiff (which it doesnt sound like you do, lol) there should be a monotube option for the camaro also!

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'70 sl350, '86 spree, '88 cressida

99% sure all the '83s and '84s were IRS. Canada and US.

The '83 I'm buying is a Texas car, and is IRS.

In fact...

^ never even knew! Good to know. Also... you're getting a cress?! When did all this happen?!

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'70 sl350, '86 spree, '88 cressida

Yeah, found a cheapish '83, white with grey interior. Should buy it in a week or two, waiting on them to sort out the title paperwork first. I used to have a Cressida like yours ('86 4dr), and always wanted another. I really want a late 70s model, but I can't be picky. This one is super clean and priced right, so...


And of course the first thing I want to know is the best way to lower it.

Everyone's converting to the Toyota side

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If you were closer I'd cut you a deal on my mx32, the wife wants a jeep or another samurai for camping and so we can survive winter and such, lol.

Sorry to thread jack, no more!!

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'70 sl350, '86 spree, '88 cressida

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have been searching all over for that info! This helps me sooo much! Don't worry about the thread jack btw. I cant wait to find those parts and get started.

I can't wait to see pics when you do.

I also just read that ae86 lowering springs work too, but you'd need ae86 front bearing plates for them to work apparently (read it online, don't know for sure personally). That seems like it would be too soft though, doesnt seem like it could float the boats we drive imo.

Also note when you are looking for the parts that I mentioned that EVERYTHING I said was assuming that the x63 w/ IRS is setup up similar to the x73. I dont have any mx63 experience personally, so maybe some of the x6 guys will chime in and correct me if I am wrong.

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'70 sl350, '86 spree, '88 cressida

I guess I'll hold off buying parts until I get confirmation that it will work. I really appreciate the help btw!

Yeah, lets see pics!

I got a chilton for toyota vans and cressidas. It may help with sorting this out. The front axle strut assembly seems to be exactly the same from 83 to 88...



But the front suspension components are different from 83,84 to the 85-88's. I dont think this affects the springs though...



There seems to be two styles of IRS which are not year specific in this book, a separate spring/shock combo...



And a macpherson strut rear, which being more advanced, would likely have been in later models...



So what kind of rear suspension do the mx-73's and mkII supras have?

mx73's are a seperate spring and shock, not a rear strut setup.

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'70 sl350, '86 spree, '88 cressida