Thinking car sits a little high in the rear, any comments?
jim larson said
Apr 24, 2017
The springs that came with the car were aftermarket and the car sat a little low in the rear, so I used spacers. I had a set of rear coil springs from an old 66 that I thought were original; but maybe an owner put different springs in the car that was retired in 81. Well I put those spring in and the cars sits 2" higher than the rear ride height in the AIM. I like a little rise in the rear; but thinking this is too much. Take a look and comment. I think I would like it about 1" lower than the current position.
-- Edited by jim larson on Monday 24th of April 2017 08:44:22 AM
yes, in the photo of the two springs, the left is what I got with the car, the taller one on the right I took out of the 4 dr hardtop I drug home from SD.
Lost in the 60s said
Apr 24, 2017
Put a couple sand bags in the trunk for traction and it will be perfect. I like a little rake on these cars.
jim larson said
Apr 24, 2017
Lost in the 60s wrote:
Put a couple sand bags in the trunk for traction and it will be perfect. I like a little rake on these cars.
That was my thought. Sand bags for traction and when I get stuck in the snow. I would like the car to sit about 1" lower. Would cutting the spring at the top be an option?
Derek69SS said
Apr 24, 2017
64-66 springs can be cut, as they only pigtailed at the bottom. 67+ are double pigtail, and cannot be cut.
Lost in the 60s said
Apr 24, 2017
The spring is "flattened" at the top so more of it contacts the frame pad to spread the load. When you cut it, you will loose that flattened area and the raw end will eventually fatigue the pad and crack it.
dashboard said
Apr 24, 2017
Have you driven the car yet?
jim larson said
Apr 25, 2017
Lost in the 60s wrote:
The spring is "flattened" at the top so more of it contacts the frame pad to spread the load. When you cut it, you will loose that flattened area and the raw end will eventually fatigue the pad and crack it.
I was wondering about that. It would probably have to be heated and flattened if that is even possible.
more ambition than brains said
Apr 27, 2017
I am guessing the springs were calibrated for the four door hardtop. The hardtop has more glass, more door hardware and last but not least, more stiffeners to replace the full center pillar with the stubby one. Partial post is twice as heavy as full post, floor has extra bracing, etc. Guessing about 250 lbs. difference.
I agree with Mitch, I like the rear Up a Little. Keep the fuel tank full and haul more beverage!
Karl
jim larson said
Apr 27, 2017
Are you suggesting a keg with a hose running to the front seat. I haven't done that is 55 years.
Derek69SS said
Apr 27, 2017
Looks a bit too high IMHO, and likely to cause wheelhop.
jim larson said
May 3, 2017
more ambition than brains wrote:
I am guessing the springs were calibrated for the four door hardtop. The hardtop has more glass, more door hardware and last but not least, more stiffeners to replace the full center pillar with the stubby one. Partial post is twice as heavy as full post, floor has extra bracing, etc. Guessing about 250 lbs. difference.
I agree with Mitch, I like the rear Up a Little. Keep the fuel tank full and haul more beverage!
Karl
I put my other springs back in with a 1" spacer. I think the car sits a little low with just the springs only. Here is. A ne w photo. Wheel well opening is now at 24 1/2, it was at 26 with the 4dr hyd spring. And sT at 22 1/2 with just the springs and no spacer. Anyone deal with Kramer Spings in west St. Paul?
-- Edited by jim larson on Wednesday 3rd of May 2017 05:26:10 PM
Yes, but DON'T BUY ANYTHING from those people. They don't stock the parts and once they have your money, they start sending email notifications that it will takes weeks longer to get the part. I went thru this a few weeks back with them and finally was able to get my money back but will NEVER do business with them again.
Jegs and Summit both sell the air bags too and will match Auto Anythings price. Summit did on the gauges I initially ordered from AA.
-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Thursday 4th of May 2017 06:37:42 PM
more ambition than brains said
May 5, 2017
I will snap a picture tomorrow.
I still have the box, somewhere!
Karl
Wish there were black. Isn't there a plate that sits on the bottom so the bag doesn't ride on the bolt head and spring clip?
bowtie said
May 5, 2017
The look I like best is one where the rear wheel lip is slightly under the wheelwell lip, maybe an inch or less. Make the body level off that. Your picture IMG_0296 looks pretty close from what I can see.
more ambition than brains said
May 5, 2017
You suddenly don't like red?????? Bolt is recessed into cup. Bag is really thick material. Fill is on top. Come on up someday, take a closer look.
Karl
jim larson said
May 6, 2017
bowtie wrote:
The look I like best is one where the rear wheel lip is slightly under the wheelwell lip, maybe an inch or less. Make the body level off that. Your picture IMG_0296 looks pretty close from what I can see.
With the 4 dr hdt springs installed, the top of the tire and the bottom of the wheel well lip were even, i did not like that. With just the springs that came with the car, way to low. In the IMG-0296 I have 1 1/4" spacers installed, I like that. It's just that it is a pita to installed the spacers, I would like something like the original spring free height with an installed height of where it is now. Thats why I am now considering the airlift bags or different springs.
more ambition than brains said
May 6, 2017
Try fresh, correct springs first.
Karl
dashboard said
May 7, 2017
Have you tried these folks yet www.springsnthings.com/ Ask for Laura.
There were multiple different combinations of springs for our cars. A 72 Chevelle could have had any one of 38 different springs installed in the factory. I think a lot of venders are selling 'generic' springs, one size fits all.
Springs and things is where the Buick guys go. Karl spot on, you're never going to get it right with 50 year old springs.
Talk with Laura, she'll send you a correct spring set, if you don't like it send them back and she'll replace them with a taller or shorter one. You'll also get a spring with the correct spring rate.
And their prices are very competitive. Good luck.
jim larson said
May 7, 2017
Eaton Detroit spring gets high marks. But I will have to check with Laura. Tkanks.
-- Edited by jim larson on Monday 24th of April 2017 08:44:22 AM
yes, in the photo of the two springs, the left is what I got with the car, the taller one on the right I took out of the 4 dr hardtop I drug home from SD.
That was my thought. Sand bags for traction and when I get stuck in the snow. I would like the car to sit about 1" lower. Would cutting the spring at the top be an option?
I was wondering about that. It would probably have to be heated and flattened if that is even possible.
I am guessing the springs were calibrated for the four door hardtop.
The hardtop has more glass, more door hardware and last but not least, more stiffeners to replace the full center pillar with the stubby one.
Partial post is twice as heavy as full post, floor has extra bracing, etc.
Guessing about 250 lbs. difference.
I agree with Mitch, I like the rear Up a Little.
Keep the fuel tank full and haul more beverage!
Karl
Are you suggesting a keg with a hose running to the front seat. I haven't done that is 55 years.
Looks a bit too high IMHO, and likely to cause wheelhop.
I put my other springs back in with a 1" spacer. I think the car sits a little low with just the springs only. Here is. A ne w photo. Wheel well opening is now at 24 1/2, it was at 26 with the 4dr hyd spring. And sT at 22 1/2 with just the springs and no spacer. Anyone deal with Kramer Spings in west St. Paul?
-- Edited by jim larson on Wednesday 3rd of May 2017 05:26:10 PM
We have used them for various needs, always been good experience.
Have you though of getting a pair of Air Lift bags to put inside rear coils?
I bought a set for the Blue elky, as I am adding some weight in smugglers box.
Individual filler stems, just like tires, would work well for elevation and side to side leveling.
Have no idea how they might affect ride, however, I am adding weight.
Just a thought.
Karl
Domthing like this Karl?
http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/77A2966A2341547.aspx?k_clickid=233d5648-98ed-4307-b353-429b2ffc53c1&adgroupid=9827&k_trackingid=274x284186359855&kpid=2966-2341547&productid=284186359855&kc=ffsku&DZID=PLA_g_1297481_730736107_35013377021_pla_284186359855_2966-2341547_9019495_c&utm_source=g&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=730736107&utm_content=35013377021&utm_productgroup=284186359855&utm_product=2966-2341547&gclid=Cj0KEQjwoqvIBRD6ls6og8qB77YBEiQAcqqHe9dUMNR9YhyswqMhbtTqTTlagLXlVqWAa_G3w4CQ81oaAilF8P8HAQ
Yes, but DON'T BUY ANYTHING from those people. They don't stock the parts and once they have your money, they start sending email notifications that it will takes weeks longer to get the part. I went thru this a few weeks back with them and finally was able to get my money back but will NEVER do business with them again.
Jegs and Summit both sell the air bags too and will match Auto Anythings price. Summit did on the gauges I initially ordered from AA.
-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Thursday 4th of May 2017 06:37:42 PM
I still have the box, somewhere!
Karl
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hss-31750/overview/year/1966/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6028
These guys look good, suppose to arrive in 3 days. Free Ship
Looks like them!
Kinda dusty under there.
Car was torn apart 22 years ago in February, I am very methodical in my efforts!
Wish there were black. Isn't there a plate that sits on the bottom so the bag doesn't ride on the bolt head and spring clip?
Bolt is recessed into cup.
Bag is really thick material.
Fill is on top.
Come on up someday, take a closer look.
Karl
With the 4 dr hdt springs installed, the top of the tire and the bottom of the wheel well lip were even, i did not like that. With just the springs that came with the car, way to low. In the IMG-0296 I have 1 1/4" spacers installed, I like that. It's just that it is a pita to installed the spacers, I would like something like the original spring free height with an installed height of where it is now. Thats why I am now considering the airlift bags or different springs.
Karl
There were multiple different combinations of springs for our cars. A 72 Chevelle could have had any one of 38 different springs installed in the factory. I think a lot of venders are selling 'generic' springs, one size fits all.
Springs and things is where the Buick guys go. Karl spot on, you're never going to get it right with 50 year old springs.
Talk with Laura, she'll send you a correct spring set, if you don't like it send them back and she'll replace them with a taller or shorter one. You'll also get a spring with the correct spring rate.
And their prices are very competitive. Good luck.
Eaton Detroit spring gets high marks. But I will have to check with Laura. Tkanks.