Alright, well I finally got around to installing my Ark lowering springs today, and I'm quite happy with the result.
However, due to the fact that I have ~300 lbs of audio equipment in my trunk, the rear end rides low (it wasn't noticeable with the stock springs) and I didn't cut my rear bump stops because.. well.. I didn't want my car going lower than the stock bump stop height to avoid any rubbing issues because I have a 1" wider tire than stock.
SO.. with that being said. The rear end is really weighed down, and as a result it rides only like 1/4" off of the bump stops. It's quite a bouncy ride when I hit speed bumps, but besides that it's not too bad.
Will the fact that the car is practically resting on my bump stops cause any problems besides a bouncy ride?
I'm going to consolidate my audio system this coming summer to cut a little weight, but until then I wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to cause any major problems.

Thanks!

 

Well, yeah, it will ride like crap, and your handling in sweeping turns could be funky as you bounce off the rubber. Are these stock shocks still? If they are, you probably increased your odds of blowing them. If it's that loaded-down, cutting the bump stops isn't really the answer, either, though it might help with the worst of it. You really need some more ride height and/or stiffer springs back there to support the load.

That is my .02, and I have a known bias toward performance and away from appearance-only mods and loads of audio gear. I'm trying to inform without offending...

 

The weight will pack down the rear and not help front end grip. DO NOT cut the bump stops, they are there to help your shocks from bottoming out and if you cut them they will die a premature death.

 

Well the ~300 lbs of subs/amps in the back was just me being bored last summer and deciding to build a fiberglass box while trying to fit 4 12's.. it's way overkill.
I already have plans for this summer to lighten the load substantially by building a lighter fiberglass box and running only one sub.. but until then I just wanted to make sure that pretty much riding on the bump stops wouldn't cause any major problems.

 

You have 3 options to fix your problem......

1. Cut the bump stops............your factory shocks will fail eventually whether you do or don't cut thee bump stops. They just arn't designed for use with lowering springs.

2. Upgrade your struts and shocks. Yes it's expensive, but you won't hit bump stops anymore and the shocks will last much longer on of a lowered vehicle compared to the stock struts and shocks.

3. Go back to stock.

 

I was planning on getting some new struts and shocks.. but by the time I drop all that money on struts and shocks it looks as though I might as well just buy some coilovers?

 

It all depends how you want to go............as for myself......I have Koni's......so ya for $160for the springs and $750 for a full set of koni's I could have bought coilover's......but I didn't think about that at the time.

I also know people who have upgrades to FE5 (SS/TC) shocks and springs and say they work pretty well. If I had it to do over again I probably could have bought coilovers.......but I'm happy with what I have.

 

I have 5/8" PVC shims under my rear springs. I have about 150-200lbs of stereo gear in my trunk also. I'm on Progress springs. I can make you a set if you like. I have lots of scraps around the shop. I work with the stuff all the time. It is designed for outdoor use and won't break down over time. All I ask is that you cover the cost of shipping. The ones in these pics are 3/4". The car sat a little high with them, so I downsized. I can make them out of 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", or 1" material. I used the small piece that I cut out of the middle for the bump stop base so it still has something solid to bottom out on.

 

Wow.. yeah that'd be awesome if you could do that.
I don't know what size would work best for me though.. haha.
Get me a shipping estimate and I'll get it to you

 

did you have a bottoming out issue as well? if so I'd def like to get a set