'70 Mach Suspension Question?

wickedmach1 · Jan 15, 2004

I plan to use 620 springs in front with the Shelby drop. I will run a 235-50-16 tire in the front. For the rear, I plan to use the standard eye 4 1/2 leaf springs. I will run 265-50-16 tires for the rear. My question is if this setup will have TOO MUCH of a rake look? Will the car be too unbalanced? I like the larger tires in the rear with the old style agressive look. Any one have this combo or something similiar? Thanks.

DarkBuddha · Jan 16, 2004

This is so much a matter of taste that it is hard to say how much is too much. I think what you're describing would be too much for me, but it sounds like you like a bit of that "stinkbug" stance. I think this car shows a stance similar to what you're talking about doing (though yours might have a bit less ground clearance)... the question is: is it too much for you?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6236&item=2453650800

Clark · Jan 16, 2004

I couldn't help but jump in here because the setup you described is what I did on my 69 except the front springs are 600's and I have P2357014 tires. If you take under consideration, that between our tire sizes we have almost the same total height, I had about 2-3in clearance between the top of the tire and the fender lip. This was similar to the rake look you see in the previous post which was too much for me. So I then installed 1 in. lowering blocks in the rear and now it looks great. This would point you to the Mid-eye instead of the standard 4 1/2 leafs.

68DARKHORSE · Jan 16, 2004

The rear of that car is jacked up with huge shackles.

A 2" total drop in front with mid-eyes in back will be level not raked. Even with standard-eye, you may only get rake from a tall back tire.

wickedmach1 · Jan 16, 2004

Darkbuddha, thanks for the picture. You are right, it does look too high in the rear. I think I will go with the mideye's for the rear.

Clark, do you have a picture of your '69? I would like to see how your car sits. I just want to make sure that the rear tires that I listed (265-50-16) will fit without the fender lip rubbing when I hit bumps in the road.

Clark · Jan 16, 2004

Wicked,
I will get you a photo and let you see as for what 68 Darkhorse said yes that car has shackles to raise it up but when you install those new 4 1/2's you will think that you haid a pair of shackles, especially because I did the shelby drop. All I can tell you is what my real experience with my setup is, maybe 68 has a 69-70 as well?

Clark · Jan 17, 2004

Here's the photos hope they help show what you need.

wickedmach1 · Jan 18, 2004

Did you say that you did the Shelby drop in front? It is hard to tell by looking at the picture, but it doesn't look too low. The rear looks a bit high but with my 265-50-16 tires, maybe it will fill the fender well out and look a little better?????

Clark · Jan 19, 2004

Yes, I did the Shelby drop up front and I think the front is just where you want it about an inch above the tire. The only thing you have to remember is that my hood is not installed and front clip so if anything it might come down just a little more. Remember the rear is with 4 1/2 leaf springs and a 1 in. lowering block installed, that's why I would go with the Mid-eye or even reverse. The only thing I don't have in the back is the spare but Ialso have the fold down seat option which adds a few pounds.

As far as the tires go can you measure the total height of the tire on the rim?

wickedmach1 · Jan 19, 2004

The rear tire is 26.5". I forgot that you installed the 1" lowering blocks. Maybe the mid-eye's would be a better choice????

DarkBuddha · Jan 19, 2004

I wasn't going to post my car, but it might give you an idea of what you might get with mid-eyes. My car is lowered about 1.5" in front and I used 5 leaf mid-eyes in the rear. I don't think the number of leafs should effect ride height, but rather the rate of the springs. The tires are 215/65/15s... Anyway, here it is...

Overall, I'm pretty please with the angle of the stance, but want to lower it a bit more yet. I'm still waiting to see if the rear settles before deciding about lowering blocks. I'm definitely gonna lower the front a touch more.

Hope this helps...

69stanger · Jan 19, 2004

heres a picture of my car

my mods are in my sig

wickedmach1 · Jan 19, 2004

Thanks for the pics guys. If I use the mid-eye's, will I have problems with the 265-50-16's rubbing? 69Stanger, how do you like the 4 1/2 leafs? DarkBuddha, how do you like the 5 leafs? I have Koni adjustable shocks for the rear. What is the correct combo for the Koni's? What size tires are you running 69Stanger?

DarkBuddha · Jan 19, 2004

wickedmach1 said:
Thanks for the pics guys. If I use the mid-eye's, will I have problems with the 265-50-16's rubbing? 69Stanger, how do you like the 4 1/2 leafs? DarkBuddha, how do you like the 5 leafs? I have Koni adjustable shocks for the rear. What is the correct combo for the Koni's? What size tires are you running 69Stanger?

I like the 5 leafs a lot... the suspension is taut but not overly harsh or bone jarring. Its important to remember that the springs are part of a system, including the rear bar, shocks, chasis, etc. With that in mind, I think these same springs would feel very harsh and brutal without the subframe connectors, the shocks I'm running (Monroematic Plus), and the rear bar. Previously, I hadn't realized how much chasis flex and body roll control definitley contribute to how springs feel.

Anyway, the general rule is either stiff spring & soft shocks, or soft springs & stiff shocks. I'm not sure which is better for the street, but so far I like setup I've got. I need to put more mileage on it (less than 500 miles currently) to get a true sense though.

69stanger · Jan 20, 2004

wickedmach1 said:
Thanks for the pics guys. If I use the mid-eye's, will I have problems with the 265-50-16's rubbing? 69Stanger, how do you like the 4 1/2 leafs? DarkBuddha, how do you like the 5 leafs? I have Koni adjustable shocks for the rear. What is the correct combo for the Koni's? What size tires are you running 69Stanger?

I like the 4 1/2 leafs but it is sort of hard to compare my new leafs against my old 4 leaf suspension because I have nearly replaced all of my old suspension with new parts, so it is hard to single out just one component of my suspension. But the 4 1/2 leafs do seem to plant my rear end more into the road thus giving me more traction than the 4 leafs.

But I can tell you I feel night and day difference with my new suspension versus my old one, the ride is so much more smoother, less rattles and the handling inspires much more confidence than my previous one that scared the heck out of you when you wanted to take a turn really fast.

oh yeah I am running 215/65/r15 all the way around.

good luck with what ever leaf you choose

Clark · Jan 20, 2004

I think those 265's are going to have a tough time tucking up under the fenders so you might need to keep it higher. But I am sure the others would agree, after changing over to 4 1/2's or 5 leafs, new shocks and sway bars and new 600 coils, 1 in. sway bar and shocks on the front, I can almost jump on either bumper and the car does not move much!

wickedmach1 · Jan 20, 2004

Anyone running or know someone 265's in the rear?

bnickel · Jan 20, 2004

wickedmach1 said:
Anyone running or know someone 265's in the rear?

i'm currently running a 275/50-15 on a 15x8 wheel on the rear of my 69 coupe, i did have to roll the lips of the quarters, but it was well worth it and they don't rub unless i hit a really hard bump, but that should also be cured when i get my 5-leaf mid-eye springs installed. i also have a narrower versailles rear to put in and then i will go up to a 295/50-15 and should still not have any problems

wickedmach1 · Jan 20, 2004

bnickel, Are the leafs you are using now the stock 4 leafs? If so, what shocks are you using? I am suprised that they don't rub more than just when you hit hard bumps. So would you say it is better going with the 5 leafs over the 4 1/2's? I am alos using Koni shocks which will be set at medium firmness. Won't you run into problems with the mid-eyes? I can't imagine that the 275's will fit using mid-eye's. Maybe I'm wrong. Do you have a pic you can send of your car? Maybe it will give me a better idea of how the 265's will look. Thanks.

bnickel · Jan 20, 2004

wickedmach1 said:
bnickel, Are the leafs you are using now the stock 4 leafs? If so, what shocks are you using? I am suprised that they don't rub more than just when you hit hard bumps. So would you say it is better going with the 5 leafs over the 4 1/2's? I am alos using Koni shocks which will be set at medium firmness. Won't you run into problems with the mid-eyes? I can't imagine that the 275's will fit using mid-eye's. Maybe I'm wrong. Do you have a pic you can send of your car? Maybe it will give me a better idea of how the 265's will look. Thanks.

i do have the stock 35 year old leaf springs in it now, and since the 5-leaf springs are much stiffer than the stock worn out 4-leafs it should help plenty with the slight rubbing i have now. i am currently running monroe-matic shocks but i will be upgrading to kyb's when i install the springs. sorry i don't have any pics right now, no digi cam, sorry. i also have those stupid extended shackles on it right now too, just to get it back to stock ride height.

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