can you lower a pilot

[jrdahl]

I've seen pictures here, some real, some manipulated, of lowered Pilots. I'm not wanting to low ride it, only lower it 1.5 to 2 inches. Has anyone here found a way to do this successfully? I could only find coil spring adjusting kits at JC Whitney. There must be an appropritate kit or spring available.

[jcantanixon]

Originally posted by jrdahl
I've seen pictures here, some real, some manipulated, of lowered Pilots. I'm not wanting to low ride it, only lower it 1.5 to 2 inches. Has anyone here found a way to do this successfully? I could only find coil spring adjusting kits at JC Whitney. There must be an appropritate kit or spring available.

The only one I've seen lowered had cut springs. Not recommended. For most Pilot owners, significant ride height is a positive thing.

...and based on another post where you mentioned that your wife crushed one of your side bars, are you sure that lowering it is a good idea?

[rlapid]

aftermarket performance parts are extremely rare for the pilot. you might not want to mess with the ride height anyway, as it may cause undesired results like uneven tire wear.

[jrdahl]

Yeah, I've heard cutting the springs is not a good idea. JC Whitney has spring adjusters. though don't know how that works or what the ramifications would be. Just about every other truck/SUV out there has parts available to do this except the Pilot. So it does seem that there are quite a few others like me who like to do this for what ever reason. I think the vehicle would look better, couldn't handle worse. would be more stable and would not look like the gazillion others I see day to day. And no, ride height has nothing to do with my wife crushing the nerf bar, just not being aware of what one's doing. If I come across anything......

[LiveWireRacing]

Originally posted by jrdahl
Yeah, I've heard cutting the springs is not a good idea. JC Whitney has spring adjusters. though don't know how that works or what the ramifications would be. Just about every other truck/SUV out there has parts available to do this except the Pilot. So it does seem that there are quite a few others like me who like to do this for what ever reason. I think the vehicle would look better, couldn't handle worse. would be more stable and would not look like the gazillion others I see day to day. And no, ride height has nothing to do with my wife crushing the nerf bar, just not being aware of what one's doing. If I come across anything......

I can't imagine that you and I are the only two who want a modest lowering of the pilot. I'm a pediatrician, not a pimp, and would like to lower the pilot just 1 1/2 to 2", put some 18 or 19" wheels on, re-upholster the front seats and call it good.

Keep up the search and let us know what you find.

Thanks,

Paul

[YipMan_Style]

Bump up for new info. Are there anything new on springs for 09+?

Me too. I'm not looking to slam the Pilot to the ground. Just want more firm and slight lowered for stability. I've owned lowered Civics in the past and the difference is night and day. Again, from a performance persepctive.

The Pilot have 8 inches of ground clearance. To drop it even 1" is still very good for day to day use.

Our Pilot will never really go off pavement. So ground clearance is not an issue.

[rocky]

I think the only way forward is custom springs. The Aftermarket doesn't consider the Pilot as being a potential profit center and therefore we don't get no respect

[A6Pilot]

If the real intent is to make the Pilot's suspension more competent, merely lowering the ride a few inches is not going to get you there. Wanna play test pilot? Just install a set of JC Whitney spring adjusters. It might achieve the goals 'jrdahl' mentioned earlier of, "I think the vehicle would look better,... and would not look like the gazillion others I see day to day." Will it be more stable and handle better? Probably not. Will the tires last as long? Absolutely not.

The Pilot's suspension system is highly engineered. Just take a look at the rear multilink suspension. What are you going to do to alter the rear geometry, so that the wheels retain their designed camber, as you lower the rear? We're not talking here about a Jeep CJ, with solid axles, front and rear. The Pilot is a whole different animal.

In order to lower the vehicle, and maintain (or improve) the overall handling and stability, someone is going to have to reengineer the springs, shocks, roll bars, bump stops, suspension geometry, etc., as well as rewrite the software for the VSA, ABS, and VTM-4 systems. Slapping on a set of JC Whitney spring adjusters probably won't get you there.

On the other hand, if it's looks or exclusivity you're really looking for.....