Ride quality on a 1992 Foxbody?

stevedjarrell · Oct 21, 2024

Good day, all, I have a question about ride quality. This is my first Fox and I was not sure what to expect. I just finished my build enough to start driving it. 1992 LX, QA1 front suspension with 175lb coil-overs, control arms, and k member. The rear is pretty stock minus the quad shocks and I believe the spring had a coil cut out (The previous owner did this). Now that I am driving it it handles great but rides like a rattle trap with such a stiff suspension. I am fine with this but was curious if this is normal. I can only compare it to the stock car I drove in the Richard petty experience. I mean it is stiff. I have the fronts set at 5 out of 18 to start with (single adjustable). Like I said I am good with it but I am sure it could be better and a long drive would beat the hell out of you. But it is a blast to drive...

Mustang5L5 · Oct 21, 2024

One could say that's typical of a fox with aftermarket suspension work. 175# springs aren't even that stiff. You should see what 250-325#+ springs feel like.

But yes, if you start replacing stock parts with control arms with poly or delrin bushings, there's less compliance and you start to feel more and more. The 18" wheels you have don't help either as there is less sidewall flex to absorb bumps and cushion the ride.

Stock foxbodies don't ride great, but your best shot of a cushy ride is one with stock spring rates, stock control arms, stock everything, and 16" or even 15" wheels. Every performance part you add will make a slight concession elsewhere. It's kinda one of the reasons I went from 18" wheels back down to 17" wheels. Difference in ride quality was quite noticeable. I have 250# springs on my front coil-overs.

stevedjarrell · Oct 21, 2024

Thank you for the reply, I knew that I was stiffening the suspension with the components I chose but to be honest I have nothing to really compare it to. I was pretty surprised by how stiff it was. the original owner had started the project with Autocross in mind and build the rear for that. I wanted to continue the buildout but decided to go with a lighter spring in the front. Yeah, the rims and rear tires came with the project. Not much side wall at all, knew that was going to compound it. in the future I may look at 16 or 17's if my back can't handle it. Do you run rear coil overs or stock suspension?

Noobz347 · Oct 21, 2024

You could always take the nuclear option and bag it.

There are entire kits tailored specifically for a Fox these days.

View: https://youtu.be/2J1_zoPWnbE?feature=shared&t=353

Footnote: The KASL Customs Channel on YT has the entire install if you're interested.

stevedjarrell · Oct 21, 2024

I saw those kits. I am fine with how it is now , was just surprised with the stiffness. Definitely will not nosedive in corners At the end of the day I want a good performing suspension and that is what I have just a little bumpy but it is a sports car and not a caddy.

Noobz347 · Oct 21, 2024

stevedjarrell said:
I saw those kits. I am fine with how it is now , was just surprised with the stiffness. Definitely will not nosedive in corners At the end of the day I want a good performing suspension and that is what I have just a little bumpy but it is a sports car and not a caddy.

My wife refers to my car as, "The Boob Jiggler".

Mustang5L5 · Oct 21, 2024

stevedjarrell said:
Do you run rear coil overs or stock suspension?

I only have coil-overs in front. I have most of the Max Motorsports catalog on my car. K-member, coil-overs, SFC's, front and rear control arms, panhard bar. I will be putting the torque arm soon, but for 250# front springs MM recommends not using rear coil-overs.

It is what it is. There's a reason I left my SN95 convertible cruiser mostly stock. Even that car my wife complains hurts her boobs over bumps.

Noobz347 · Oct 21, 2024

Mustang5L5 said:
I only have coil-overs in front. I have most of the Max Motorsports catalog on my car. K-member, coil-overs, SFC's, front and rear control arms, panhard bar. I will be putting the torque arm soon, but for 250# front springs MM recommends not using rear coil-overs.

It is what it is. There's a reason I left my SN95 convertible cruiser mostly stock. Even that car my wife complains hurts her boobs over bumps.

Are you running the torque arm on your Fox? I have forgotten (to be fair... It's only changed a hundred times ).

gkomo · Oct 21, 2024

The cut rear coils probably aren't helping you either. I would get some new lowering springs with a mild spring rate.

stevedjarrell · Oct 21, 2024

Noobz347 said:
My wife refers to my car as, "The Boob Jiggler".

That is great, I got to tell my wife that one. And that seems about accurate.

stevedjarrell · Oct 21, 2024

gkomo said:
The cut rear coils probably aren't helping you either. I would get some new lowering springs with a mild spring rate.

Thank you I will look into that. I read about the Progressive Spring rates. Think I might go that direction if I can.

Noobz347 · Oct 21, 2024

stevedjarrell said:
That is great, I got to tell my wife that one. And that seems about accurate.

I can't be certain if she's referring to me or her 'dirty pillows'.

AeroCoupe · Oct 21, 2024

What makes you think the rear springs are cut? Inherently they are hard to cut due to the tapered pigtails on the bottom and the flattened coil on the very top of the spring. When you cut the top it does not fit into the mount on the rear subframe very well. Cutting the bottom would be a no go due to the tapered coil. What shocks are in the rear or do you know for sure?

If it were me I would see about getting a set of H&R Sport springs for the rear. They lower the rear 1" from stock and offer a nice ride but a little stiffer than stock. I would also get a set of Bilstein shocks for the SN95 cars as they have built in bump stops so you can remove the ones on the car itself. Provides more suspension travel with the car being lowered.

As for the front setup I would call QA1 and see if they recommend a different strut and/or spring.

Does the car have subframe connectors in it? If not put some in as it will help with load transfer and for me it smoothed both my Foxes out ride quality wise.

Mustang5L5 · Oct 21, 2024

Noobz347 said:
Are you running the torque arm on your Fox? I have forgotten (to be fair... It's only changed a hundred times ).

Not yet. I’ve been going back and forth on if I should do it. I have a few ideas in my head I’m running through and no clue which way I want to go yet.

Noobz347 · Oct 21, 2024

Mustang5L5 said:
Not yet. I’ve been going back and forth on if I should do it. I have a few ideas in my head I’m running through and no clue which way I want to go yet.

I'm thinking hard about it. $2k for the kit and I gotta install all my Cobra brake parts too.

Hover Stang mode coming

AeroCoupe · Oct 21, 2024

Do it. You will not regret it one bit. It put my Coupe on rails.

85GTStangGuy · Oct 22, 2024

Noobz347 said:
My wife refers to my car as, "The Boob Jiggler".

Pictures... or it didn't happen.

stevedjarrell · Oct 22, 2024

AeroCoupe said:
What makes you think the rear springs are cut? Inherently they are hard to cut due to the tapered pigtails on the bottom and the flattened coil on the very top of the spring. When you cut the top it does not fit into the mount on the rear subframe very well. Cutting the bottom would be a no go due to the tapered coil. What shocks are in the rear or do you know for sure?

If it were me I would see about getting a set of H&R Sport springs for the rear. They lower the rear 1" from stock and offer a nice ride but a little stiffer than stock. I would also get a set of Bilstein shocks for the SN95 cars as they have built in bump stops so you can remove the ones on the car itself. Provides more suspension travel with the car being lowered.

As for the front setup I would call QA1 and see if they recommend a different strut and/or spring.

Does the car have subframe connectors in it? If not put some in as it will help with load transfer and for me it smoothed both my Foxes out ride quality wise.

The chopped coil was mentioned by a friend while looking over my car. I have since (last night) confirmed they are not chopped. I will be getting a set oof lowering springs. I do have subframe connectors on the car. Like I have said I am fine with the ride and knew it was going to be stiff. I was just surprised by how stiff. I think the weight of the car is also contributing to my perception of the suspention. IT rides rough but handles great and I am good with that. Thank you for the reply though.

LILCBRA · Oct 22, 2024

85GTStangGuy said:
Video... or it didn't happen.

Fixed it for you.

Noobz347 · Oct 22, 2024

Ride quality on a 1992 Foxbody?

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