Need some help...

I purchased a 2001 GT a few months back with some minor upgrades (CAI, cat-back, tri-ax, tint, lowered, 275/40's all around etc.). Everything has been great so far except for the suspension. When I hit a large bump/dip or go over speed bumps I can really feel it, so much so that I have to baby it on bad roads. It's obvious that because the car was lowered and the stock shocks were not upgraded that they are just shot to hell. The problem I'm having is deciding if I should just replace the shocks/struts and hope for the best, or replace the springs as well. I don't know if the previous owner simply chopped the stock springs or replaced them with aftermarket. Is there any way to tell without putting it up on a lift?

I'd rather save the money if the springs are fine. The ride height looks good to me, but I'd rather have good ride performance if it comes down to one or the other. If I just replace the shocks and I find out that it doesn't help as much as I'm hoping, it would end up costing me more in the long run to go back under and put in new springs. I'm having a really hard time deciding, so I thought I'd ask the experts...

Should I replace just the shocks/struts?
Should I replace the springs while I'm down there so that I know what I'm dealing with?
Is there something else it could be that I'm not thinking of?

By the way, I'm thinking of replacing the s/s with Tokico HP's. And if I do decide to do the springs I'll probably go with H&R Sports or maybe just go back to stockers. This is just a semi-daily driver that likes to go fast...it'll never see the track. Here's a sideview pic, if it helps any...

Thank you for any suggestions.

I know what you mean. Although my old '02 had stock suspension and it was pretty sexy. It just would have been sexier with a drop (see picture).

If I can't correct the problem with new s/s I might have to revert back to stock springs though. I had a blast in my old GT, and I want that smooth ride back. Most girls really don't know the difference between the 4x4 look and a 1.5" drop anyway

I just tried it...when I just pushed down using only my arms it gave a little but nothing major. When I leaned my body weight (175lbs) on it with both hands it went down maybe a good inch or two. I can bounce it pretty good with no unusual noises.

I'm just afraid that the guy might have chopped the springs and took a bit too much off. Performance shocks wouldn't make a major difference in that case, right?

I think I'll just order the s/s and hope for the best. If I'm not happy I guess I won't have any other choice but to change the springs. If only I didn't live off such a crappy road ...it's a pretty nice ride otherwise.

Thanks for the responses. I'll update this thread when I get my s/s in.

Yep, that's a given.

Sorry to hijack my own thread... but you got any bigger pictures of your stang? Those rims are sweet I've wanted to get me a set of those since my first GT.

Just an update...

I've decided I can't change the shocks/struts without changing the springs so I've ordered and received my Tokico HP's and FRPP B springs. I decided on the B springs because they are relatively soft (around stock springs rates) but are progressive for a bit better handing while still avoiding the 4x4 look. I'm getting them put in tomorrow along with an alignment for $243. It sounds reasonable I guess

If my stockers are worn badly I'll have them replaced. I definitely won't leave them out.

...think I might have found the problem! Thank goodness I decided to replace the springs.

Haha...wasted might be an understatement. I'm not sure if they're stock or not, they all had green tags on them. All I could read from them were '5560-EA' and "EAR". From the appearence they certainly look stock. And if they were cut they were cut very cleanly. My guess is they just gave out.

I replaced them with the FMS B springs...which were just a bit straighter. Haha. Oh and the old shocks made a squishy sound as I tried to compress them by hand (off the car)...so that probably wasn't good either.

Glad I'm not riding on those anymore. Good grief.