Front End needs a lift

[farmersid]

My son Matt and I are making progress on out B&B Cobra build. On the very first trip out of the shop the front end seems very low to the ground. A B&B factory set up with spring over shock. Has anyone made changes to raise the front end? We're using 235X60.X15 tires.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Sid and Matt

[lnfletcher]

Are your shocks adjustable and if so, are they adjusted all the way up? Also, how low is low? These are pretty low normally. Any Pictures?

[Wbulk]

When did you buy your car. What is the last three numbers on the vin plate. Send me an e-mail.

[B&B-Cobra]

We purchased the car last May '09 and it was delivered in June, my dad will have to check the VIN #. I believe he already cranked down the preload on the springs in front. I don't have any good photos of the car showing ground clearance on level ground and it was just sent down the road for its paint job.

The picture I'll attach is outside...on snow. I'm in Texas so I couldn't stop my dad from taking it outside for it's first test drive (upstate NY). Is there a Cobra abuse hotline I can report him to??

Thanks for the help,
Matt

[lnfletcher]

Hard to tell, but it looks about right to me. Tape measure would be better!

[Wbulk]

If you have the same suspension I have then that's the problem. The lower control arm frame mounting point is to low. The upper shock mount is to low and the shock is to short. I am not sure how many of them are out there.

This is a picture of mine before the fix.


I should be done fixing mine by the end of the week. I am doing detailed instructions with pictures. Send me an e-mail and I will give you everything.

Wayne

[Clois Harlan]

all you need is about 3 1/2" clearance to be safe on most roads. My 427 has a little less than that.

[ndpace]

WBULK, will you be posting the details on your modifications some where? I would like to check them out

Thanks, Jim

[Wbulk]

I had not really planned on it since it affected a small number of cars. B and B sent me the parts pretty quick after the problem was identified. I decided to design and build my own upper mount. When I have it all welded up I will post the picture here and those that are interested in the detailed instructions with pictures can e-mail me for the MS Word file.

Again this would only be applicable to just a few cars that had that small ALN 3855P shock.

I just got the pieces cut out on a water jet on Monday. If someone wanted to go my route, I have already paid for the CAD work, so the metal and water jet time combined is only about $25-$30. I could help them out and get the pieces for them. My system is more labor and takes some accurate setup and welding than B and Bs upper mount.

Wayne

[Wbulk]

This is how I built my upper mounts to accomodate the new longer coil overs. It would be a lot harder to do with the body on, but could be done.
Wayne

[RET_COP]

I have about 3" at the oil pan and a little less than that at the McLeod bell housing. I trimmed the bottom of the bell housing as there was a big lip there. I have not had and problems with this height, but I do take it easy over speed bumps and avoid high manhole covers at construction sites. I could adjust the coilovers to raise the body but I like the lower look.
Do you have adjustment in the coilovers or is there a problem like Wbulk had?
Lou

[B&B-Cobra]

We did adjust the coilovers, but we can't measure since the car is currently in the body/paint shop. It appears we may have the same issue that Wbulk had, our serial number (VIN) was the next build after his.

Thanks,
Matt

[Wbulk]

This is a picture of the finished modification I did on my car. The lower tube was raised, a new upper mount was built and a longer shock was used. I believe the stock existing shock could be used with a lower modified upper mount and raising the lower tube.

[BeasleyRB]

Here is what I did to protect the oil pan. Welded a skid plate on it and put the oil drain plug out of the way. I have found it almost impossible to not "kiss" the pavement from time to time in spite of my best efforts. ,

[leon]

Wayne,
I have a B&B with same problem.
Can you please tell me how you fixed yours.
Thank You

[leon]

Wayne,
Would you please be able to share how you raised your car with me Too.
Thank You

[jbmatth]

Leon, I know this is late but the way I solved this issue was to replace the entire front suspension. I bought tubular Mustang II upper and lower control arms, and a QA1 adjustable coilover setup. I should have just bought right from McGill and saved money in the long run but tried to use used parts for something they weren't meant to be used for.
JB

[Wbulk]

Leon, send me a private message with your phone number and we can talk. I did a complete document with pictures but can't find it yet. I think I gave Barry McGill a copy.
Sorry this took so long. I don't get on this site much anymore.