Mods, can you please move this thread into Wagons section? I made this post before that sub-forum was created.
A lot has changed since I originally upgraded my Summit’s suspension. First of all, stock EVO8/9 suspension has a punishing ride! So much so, that my kids named the Summit “the bumpy car”. This wouldn’t be so bad if it gave Summit amazing handling, but it didn’t.
In search of more front camber, I installed some EVO8/9 TEIN coilovers with camber plates! I had to do the same modification done on stock EVO8 strut conversion: welded on washers on the bottom). That improved front end ride quality and handling, plus it gave me an adjustable ride height (not to mention shedding off around 2-3 lbs per side!) However, rear end was still unbearably bumpy!
After some research, I determined that 2G DSM rear Koni shocks should work on the Summit, so I took $230 gamble… and it paid off!
Top and bottom: EVO8 modded for 1G DSM/Summit (assembled and bare) Middle: 2G Eclipse Koni (spring purch omitted)
The fact that you can just leave out the bottom spring purch on 2G Konis make this install even easier! Otherwise, you have to cut off DSM or EVO lower spring purch.
The fit was perfect! But this shock is shorter, so it will not work if you have stock height spring.
In the rear, I am using stiffer (7 passenger van) springs (450lbs/in vs. sock 400lbs/in), which have 1.5 coils removed. The reduced spring length, should bring the spring rate to around 600-650lbs/in. So help stiffen up the springs even more, I installed PRC rubber spacer inside the spring. I am not sure if it is helping much (or at all), because it is loose when van just sits there, so it needs around 1” of spring compression to truly engage the rubber spacer. I suspect that those only help only at extremes of suspension travel.
