<VV> Ride Height -- FC's

[Dale Dewald]

At 04:38 AM 5/1/06 -0400, Kelly Parker wrote:

>   Since some of you are discussing ride height on your cars, I thought  I'd
>ask. My 62 Greenbrier sits a bit high up front. I'd like to lower it by
>cutting a coil off each spring. My question is, do I cut them at the top 
>or  bottom

I think I would be inclined to cut a coil off the top.  Be aware, however, 
that this will stiffen the spring considerably and the stock front springs 
on FC's seem to be rather stiff already.  Another way to lower the front 
ride height is to order a set of modified springs (V8 Mustang) from Ken 
Hand (Handy Car Care; 248-613-8586).  These have a lower spring rate and 
ride 1" to 1-1/2" lower than stock.

>  and are the stock shocks an acceptable application? If not, what 
> shocks  are
>recommended?

I think that the stock shocks do not have enough damping to control the 
front end motion on FC's, but this is not the whole story. At stock height 
the FC front suspension rides near the top of its travel.  There is plenty 
of jounce (compression travel) but not much rebound (extension 
travel).  Hitting a large bump rarely (if ever) causes the front end to 
bottom out but the rebound stops are regularly contacted when a tire drops 
into the shallowest pothole. Obviously this situation does not create the 
best ride, nor is it helped by the pendulum effect of the large of front 
overhang.  Reducing the ride height will likely improve ride quality more 
than the increased stiffness from cutting coils would degrade ride quality. 
In such case the stock shocks would probably be okay with shortened 
(stiffer) stock springs.

Ken includes a pair of heavy duty gas shocks with his spring kit to 
counteract the front "bobbing" effect.  I have gone a step further, and 
with some research found that Bilstein # B46-0925 shocks (application for 
'71-'00 Dodge B100, B200 vans) can be fitted front and rear with slight 
modification to the shock mounts and rear control arms.  I have the 
Bilstein's, Ken's front springs and Clark's '61-62 GB repro rear springs on 
our '65 Greenbrier and have been very happy with the combination.

Dale Dewald
Hancock, MI


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