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  • OX1
    Super-Experienced
    • Feb 10 2016
    • 557

    Ride height and "rake"

    Read through this thread.



    I have 7 leaf rear susp and 8.5 from center of wheel to bottom of wheelwell (with skirt removed). That sounds right.

    Front was 15.75 from center of wheel to top of wheel well.
    This sounds high with most in that thread getting 14-14.5

    Now I also measured "rake" using the ground (my 4 post lift, so no variation in this "ground") to the bottom of door sill (front and rear).

    Front was 8.5, rear was 10.

    So my question is, if I am theoretically too high in the front, wouldn't that make a pretty sever rake if I lowered the front another inch or so?
    59-430-HT
  • simplyconnected
    Administrator
    • May 26 2009
    • 8779

    #2
    Henry, it all depends on what YOU want. Most Squarebird aftermarket rear springs have 5 leafs. Some vendors sell sets with 6 leafs. I have never heard of seven. Pardon me for saying but, the ride must be stiff as a truck.

    We have plenty of pictures showing 'stance' of the Thunderbirds as they left the factory. We also have measurements. How you prefer your car to be, is personal choice.

    BTW, I know measurements are commonly done from the center of the wheel to the bottom lip. With new tire and wheel profiles, it's my belief that measuring from the GROUND to the lip is a more accurate method. - Dave
    Member, Sons of the American Revolution

    CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.

    "We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
    --Lee Iacocca

    From: Royal Oak, Michigan

    Comment

    • OX1
      Super-Experienced
      • Feb 10 2016
      • 557

      #3
      I was fine with it the way it was, apparently raked higher
      by at least an inch or two in the rear, but I am certainly
      not going to put those hokey spring helpers back in
      the front, so I need a spring at least as tall as the
      one I had with the helpers.

      Was there ever a diagram like this for SB's?



      Anyway, I only counted my leaves after I read this thread
      below. My springs look original after seeing corrosion on
      leaves and bushing condition. But from what you are telling
      me, I cannot get the same spring I have now. So if I
      replace (if/ever), odds are the rear will be lower.

      "Rear: 59-60

      It looks like 7" to 7.5" from the Center of Hub Cap to top of
      skirt should be close to the original rear measurement
      with 6 leaf springs (standard equipment).

      Optional factory heavy duty rear suspension with 7 leaf
      springs should be about 8" to 8.5"

      Post # 38



      BTW, do you guys normally count the very short leaf
      (maybe foot long max) @ bottom of pack?

      Originally posted by simplyconnected
      Henry, it all depends on what YOU want. Most Squarebird aftermarket rear springs have 5 leafs. Some vendors sell sets with 6 leafs. I have never heard of seven. Pardon me for saying but, the ride must be stiff as a truck.

      We have plenty of pictures showing 'stance' of the Thunderbirds as they left the factory. We also have measurements. How you prefer your car to be, is personal choice.

      BTW, I know measurements are commonly done from the center of the wheel to the bottom lip. With new tire and wheel profiles, it's my belief that measuring from the GROUND to the lip is a more accurate method. - Dave
      59-430-HT

      Comment

      • sidewalkman
        Super-Experienced
        • Sep 14 2015
        • 508

        #4
        Originally posted by OX1
        I was fine with it the way it was, apparently raked higher
        by at least an inch or two in the rear, but I am certainly
        not going to put those hokey spring helpers back in
        the front, so I need a spring at least as tall as the
        one I had with the helpers.

        Was there ever a diagram like this for SB's?



        Anyway, I only counted my leaves after I read this thread
        below. My springs look original after seeing corrosion on
        leaves and bushing condition. But from what you are telling
        me, I cannot get the same spring I have now. So if I
        replace (if/ever), odds are the rear will be lower.

        "Rear: 59-60

        It looks like 7" to 7.5" from the Center of Hub Cap to top of
        skirt should be close to the original rear measurement
        with 6 leaf springs (standard equipment).

        Optional factory heavy duty rear suspension with 7 leaf
        springs should be about 8" to 8.5"

        Post # 38



        BTW, do you guys normally count the very short leaf
        (maybe foot long max) @ bottom of pack?
        You don't want 7 leaves, trust me, it'll ride like a pickup truck unloaded.
        Scott
        South Delta, BC, Canada
        1960 White T-Bird, PS, PB that's it
        Red Leather Interior!
        www.squarebirds.org/users/sidewalkman
        Thunderbird Registry #61266
        http://www.squarebirds.org/picture_g...ibrary/trl.htm

        Comment

        • simplyconnected
          Administrator
          • May 26 2009
          • 8779

          #5
          Yep, count them all...

          My next door neighbor had an 'extra' spring added to his Granada. But know what?? He WAS a trucker and that's the 'feel' he wanted in his retirement years. It's your car to do with as you like. - Dave
          Member, Sons of the American Revolution

          CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.

          "We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
          --Lee Iacocca

          From: Royal Oak, Michigan

          Comment

          • OX1
            Super-Experienced
            • Feb 10 2016
            • 557

            #6
            Originally posted by sidewalkman
            You don't want 7 leaves, trust me, it'll ride like a pickup truck unloaded.
            Rides Great. I know what a bad ride is, I have 2 classic broncos (92 inch wheelbase, solid axles, 33" tires, about the same weight as a bird)

            Originally posted by simplyconnected
            Yep, count them all...

            My next door neighbor had an 'extra' spring added to his Granada. But know what?? He WAS a trucker and that's the 'feel' he wanted in his retirement years. It's your car to do with as you like. - Dave
            So was the 7 leaf spring a factory option or not? Just curious.
            59-430-HT

            Comment

            • dgs
              Super-Experienced
              • Feb 13 2003
              • 962

              #7
              Originally posted by simplyconnected
              BTW, I know measurements are commonly done from the center of the wheel to the bottom lip. With new tire and wheel profiles, it's my belief that measuring from the GROUND to the lip is a more accurate method. - Dave
              I realize that I'm late to the party, but I'd like to offer a different take on this. With differences in wheel and tire sizes, I believe that measuring from the wheel center to the body will be more consistent. You are then measuring the suspension and taking the tires out of the picture.

              Different tire diameters will raise and lower the car and change the distance from the ground to the body. The distance from the wheel center to the body should be pretty independant of tire diameter and should be comparable from car to car regardless of tire size.
              DGS (aka salguod)
              1960 Convertible - Raven Black, Red leather
              www.salguod.net

              Comment

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