Ride Height

[pyroman]

Hey guys, I recently got some new suspension parts put on to replace my old stuff. I haven't had a chance to drive it yet because more work has to be done however upon first glance it looks like my rear is lower than my front. (I haven't measured yet but that appears to be the case)

This is what I have:

Front:
- 620 lb, 1" lowering coil springs
- Shelby drop

Rear:
- 4 1/2 mideye, 1" drop leaf springs from Grab-A-Trak

Pretty common setup I would imagine. Anyone elses look like this?

Thanks.

 

[68conv5sp]

Same set up on my 68. After some trial work, I ended up cutting one whole coil off of those springs. The net drop was about 1 1/2 in. In restrspect, it looks great, but is a bit too low. If I had it to do over again, I'd cut 2/3 of a coil.

Remeber to use a cut-off wheel, rather than a torch, to maintain the springs' rate and strength properties.

 

[pyroman]

Cutting coils will change the spring rate, no matter how you do it. That is why I don't want to cut them. These springs are stiff enough as is, cutting them will make them even stiffer.

 

[69gmachine]

New springs will take a set after driving around a while, so I wouldn't recommend cutting new springs until you've driven them first and had a few hard stops. I agree, 620s are stiff.

For a typical small block car, the Eibach variable rate 525s (not 100% sure on the rate, but somewhere in this area) are much more enjoyable and still provide a fairly stiff suspension.

 

[iskwezm]

i have cut 620's and edelbrock shocks and its not harsh at all

 

[pyroman]

I haven't had a chance to drive it yet so I guess I will reserve judgement on both the harshness and the ride height until then. Seems though for a street car 620 is about as stiff as you'd want to go.

Was just thinking this, won't alignment affect the ride height in the front some? I remember reading some threads where some guys were having issues with their front suspension not settling after acceleration after they had revamped the front end. I haven't had it aligned yet so perhaps that is contributing as well.

 

[71fordramair]

where will it sit?

its hard to order springs and have it sit right. shouldnt we document measurement from fender to axle/spindle instead of fender to ground? tire sizes some choose are different. my 71 mustang convertible,original springs, 250 eng.,measures 13" fender to spindle center,the back measured 12 1/2". i ordered pair of rear leafs from mustangs plus,4 1/2 leaf, reverse eye,with shackle kit 283.00. rear sits 13 3/4" fender to axle center. when i order front springs i hope to get it 12 1/2". you probably dont have p205 65 15 tires on all four do you? so i wont tell you the fender to ground in rear is 25 1/2".

 

[zookeeper]

i have cut 620's and edelbrock shocks and its not harsh at all

I think two things are evident here, one is that shocks play a HUGE part in how stiff a suspension setup feels and second, stiffness is very subjective. I have 5 leaf mid-eyes and GR-2 shocks on the rear of my car and it's borderline too soft. Yet a local guy around here took one leaf out of his 5 leafs because he says it was way too stiff. Anyone who thinks their vintage Mustang's springs are too stiff needs to ride in my stock '88 GT. It takes back-breaker to a whole new level, but it sure corners flat!

 

[pyroman]

its hard to order springs and have it sit right. shouldnt we document measurement from fender to axle/spindle instead of fender to ground? tire sizes some choose are different. my 71 mustang convertible,original springs, 250 eng.,measures 13" fender to spindle center,the back measured 12 1/2". i ordered pair of rear leafs from mustangs plus,4 1/2 leaf, reverse eye,with shackle kit 283.00. rear sits 13 3/4" fender to axle center. when i order front springs i hope to get it 12 1/2". you probably dont have p205 65 15 tires on all four do you? so i wont tell you the fender to ground in rear is 25 1/2".

I should have measured the ride height before I took all the old stuff off I'll measure when I see the car this weekend and post. I'm still missing some weight on the front end though, no fluids are in the car, I only have the fenders and hood on, radiator is out, etc. Maybe it'll sit lower by the time that is all in too.

 

[iskwezm]

I think two things are evident here, one is that shocks play a HUGE part in how stiff a suspension setup feels and second, stiffness is very subjective.

Very true. My buddy has 620's and Kill Your Back shocks(KYB's) and same size wheel tire combo. Mine sites about 2 inches lower then his and his ride is stiffer from what i can tell mainly due to the shocks.

 

[65coupe408w]

I have a pretty simlar setup on my coupe, but do not have the shelby drop.

This is what it looks like:

 

[pyroman]

Ok so I went ahead and measured today

Front (Top of fender to center of wheel): 15 1/4"

Rear (Top of fender to center of wheel): 13 1/4"

So yeah, my front is sitting much higher than the rear, I'm hoping it will drop once I get everything on the front end, get it aligned and work them in some.