Raising a Lowered 1989 Toyota Celica ST: Options for Suspension Adjustment

The 1989 Toyota Celica ST has a certain charm that still pulls people in–sharp lines, a sporty vibe, and just enough performance to make everyday driving feel fun. And if you’re an enthusiast, lowering it can seem like an obvious move. It looks tougher, corners flatter, and feels more planted. The catch? Real roads don’t care how good your stance looks.

Drop the car by about two inches and suddenly the world is full of enemies: speed bumps, steep driveways, potholes, random chunks of debris, even that slightly raised manhole cover you never noticed before. Scraping becomes routine, and it doesn’t take long before “sporty” turns into “stressful.” If you’re ready to bring the Celica back up a bit, here’s what you should know–and the most practical ways to do it.

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Getting a Feel for What You’re Actually Changing

Your Celica’s suspension is a team effort: springs, struts/shocks, and the mounting hardware and linkages that keep everything moving the way it should. When people lower these cars, it’s usually done with shorter (often stiffer) springs, sometimes paired with different struts. That lower center of gravity can improve handling, but it also eats into suspension travel and ground clearance–two things you really miss when the pavement is rough.

Raising the car again is basically the reverse goal: you want more space between the body and the ground, without wrecking the way the car drives. That can mean restoring comfort, avoiding undercarriage damage, and making the car livable again–especially if your area has rough streets or lots of uneven entrances.

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The Most Common Ways to Raise a Lowered Celica

1) Spring spacers

Spring spacers are a popular “quick fix.” They sit above or below the coil spring and add height without forcing you to replace everything.

They’re usually cheaper and faster to install, but there’s a trade-off: spacers can change suspension geometry and sometimes affect handling in ways you don’t expect. They can work, but they’re not always the cleanest long-term solution–especially if the car was lowered aggressively.

2) Swap back to taller springs (OEM or proper aftermarket)

If you want the car to feel “right” again, replacing the lowered springs with OEM springs–or quality aftermarket springs designed for stock-ish height–is often the most solid route.

It costs more than spacers, sure, but it’s a more complete fix. You’re returning the suspension closer to what Toyota intended, which usually means better ride quality, more predictable handling, and fewer weird side effects.

3) Adjustable coilovers (if you want flexibility)

If the car already has coilovers, you might be able to simply adjust ride height upward. If it doesn’t, switching to adjustable coilovers gives you the option to fine-tune the height now and later.

This is the “pay more upfront, gain control forever” option. Great if you like dialing things in, less great if you just want a simple return to normal.

4) Strut spacers

Strut spacers raise the car by spacing the strut assembly away from the body. They can work similarly to spring spacers in terms of lift, but they’re less common and can affect suspension travel if the setup isn’t thought through.

They’re not automatically bad–but they’re something you want installed carefully, because ride quality and suspension movement can suffer if the geometry ends up awkward.

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Why People End Up Raising Their Car Again (Even If They Loved It Lowered)

Most of the time, it isn’t regret–it’s reality. A few common reasons:

• Bad roads: potholes, broken pavement, gravel, speed bumps, steep driveways–take your pick.
• More passengers or cargo: extra weight makes a low car even lower, and bottoming out gets old fast.
• Bigger tires: a slightly larger tire can start rubbing if the car sits too low.
• Aging components: worn springs and tired struts can sag over time, making clearance problems even worse.

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The “Do It Right” Approach (What a Good Shop Will Look At)

A competent technician won’t just slap parts on and call it a day. They’ll check what you currently have–lowering springs, coilovers, mismatched struts, worn mounts–then measure ride height and inspect the overall condition of the suspension.

They’ll also ask the questions that actually matter: How do you drive it? Is it a daily? Do you deal with rough roads? Are you carrying weight often? Do you want stock feel or just “less scraping”?

And after any height change, alignment isn’t optional–it’s part of doing the job correctly.

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Common Mistakes People Make

One of the biggest misunderstandings is thinking spacers will magically bring back comfort and factory handling. They might lift the car, yes, but they don’t automatically fix geometry issues or restore lost suspension travel.

Another big one: skipping alignment after raising the car. That’s how you end up with uneven tire wear, strange steering feel, and a car that never quite feels settled.

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Tools and Parts You’ll Usually Be Dealing With

Depending on the route you choose, you’re looking at some mix of:

• spring spacers
• replacement springs (OEM or aftermarket)
• adjustable coilovers
• strut spacers
• alignment equipment (or an alignment appointment you shouldn’t skip)

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Bottom Line

Yes–you can absolutely raise a lowered 1989 Toyota Celica ST. The best method depends on what’s currently on the car, how much lift you need, and whether you want a quick improvement or a proper “set it and forget it” solution.

If you’re tired of scraping everywhere you go, getting some height back isn’t giving up. It’s making the car usable again–without losing what makes the Celica fun in the first place.