Kirk! We're under attack!! Suspension help.

[RedHawk]

Update:

Below are pictures of recent progress.

• Front brake calipers are tight fit, but expected that so we're grinding down calipers as we did to the rear ones for proper fitment.

• Another pic shows rear brakes, shock and spring setup. The one pic shows adjustment dials facing wrong way the other showing the addition of the spring was the correct position.

• Also we have decided to go another route for securing the front lower A-arms. We're going to fab up an angle bracket instead which we believe will be simpler in design and stronger. I'll post once I get it done.

• Lol, so since I have put some respectable brakes on this car I went through everything related and found that whom ever assembled this vehicle just did it for looks and not function, so we're venting the brakes from the front fake vents.Not sure why this wasn't done since its very simple to do.

• I also order new headers since the current one's were shot. Going to wrap them in that titanium DEI.

• New 7/8 sway bar has been ordered too.

• Moving rear door latch to make room for larger tires. Also installing a new bump stop that we can shave for proper fit. Also once we removed the rear Monroe shocks on the back one of them was completely shot. Probably one of the reasons the ride was so bad, you think!

[list]
Lastly while installing rear brakes I had decided to inspect the rear end and although the gears looked in perfect condition I decided to see what the ratio was. 411?! Does this make any sense? This isn't my area of expertise, but doesn't this seem pretty high? I guess it does help with the kick in the pants acceleration, but wondered if anyone had a better recommendation.

[rbgray1]

Redhawk,

Progress looks great. I really like the red A-Arms, should look great when you get it completed.

Couple of questions:

Rear Set-Up:
Which rear springs are you using? Did you need to cut these down at all?

I noticed you went with the QA1 Double adjustable Shock units? I was thinking single adjustable. I'm not sure if I'll ever spend that much time tuning my suspension with over 300 different setting combinations. Do you feel the Double Adjustable are worth the extra $100 per corner?

I'm still contemplating converting to QA1 coil-overs in the rear using original shock position, just welding on upper and lower eyelet plates so the coilovers will clear the upper frame and lower axle tube.

Did you need to pick up a new E-Brake cable (Wilwood PN 330-9371)? I don't know if our stock Ford cable will work with the Wilwood E Brake setup.

Thanks for the pics, I'd really like to see the final bracket setup used for the new front lower A-Arms when you get them welded in.

I have all my Heidts A-Arms sitting in my garage ready to go out for PowderCoating. Just wondering if I should return the lower strut arm set-up and go to full lower A-Arms.

[RedHawk]

Originally Posted by rbgray1

Redhawk,

Progress looks great. I really like the red A-Arms, should look great when you get it completed.

Couple of questions:

Rear Set-Up:
Which rear springs are you using? Did you need to cut these down at all?

I noticed you went with the QA1 Double adjustable Shock units? I was thinking single adjustable. I'm not sure if I'll ever spend that much time tuning my suspension with over 300 different setting combinations. Do you feel the Double Adjustable are worth the extra $100 per corner?

I'm still contemplating converting to QA1 coil-overs in the rear using original shock position, just welding on upper and lower eyelet plates so the coilovers will clear the upper frame and lower axle tube.

Did you need to pick up a new E-Brake cable (Wilwood PN 330-9371)? I don't know if our stock Ford cable will work with the Wilwood E Brake setup.

Thanks for the pics, I'd really like to see the final bracket setup used for the new front lower A-Arms when you get them welded in.

I have all my Heidts A-Arms sitting in my garage ready to go out for PowderCoating. Just wondering if I should return the lower strut arm set-up and go to full lower A-Arms.

Let me check on springs tomorrow, but they are not cut down at all.
From what my fabricator has spec'd looks pretty darn simple to weld an angle bracket to eliminate the strut. Once we removed the strut it was a bulky hunk of metal so glad to see it go.

I went with dual adjustable because why the heck not? I mean with a couple clicks you can dial in a cushy ride for a long cruise or a couple more clicks and your set up for the track. I love the ability to tweak it.

As for coil overs for the back I didnt go with them because the 4 link seemed more solid in design. I suppose you could leave that intact and add coil overs but wasnt convinced that would have made a difference. Definitely do not go with coil overs only and omitting 4 link or having another means of securing the rear end. Not safe.

I'll also get you the E brake padt number because yes your right the ford will not work.

[rbgray1]

Redhawk,

Thanks for the update.

On the rear, I was thinking of just adding QA1 coil over spring setup, removing factory "Chevette" springs and adjuster plates but keeping the 4 Link and converting to new Upper and lower QA1 link arms. Their upper arms allow pinion angle adjustment and their lower arms are boxed and far beefier than the stock ford units but still have provisions for mounting the rear Sway Bar.

Keep the pics coming, your input has been invaluable in helping me determine how far I'm going to go with my rebuild.

Can you please let me know what you ordered for the front swaybar and how it works out and mounts?

I may even start a new thread "Rebirth of a Classic Roadster 1", as I've spent the last few days finalizing removal of the body, building a roller buck to hold the body properly so it doesn't sag during the rebuild, and most of my time just pressure washing and degreasing 26 years and 28,000 miles of road grime and grease from the chassis and body underside.

[RedHawk]

Originally Posted by rbgray1

Redhawk,

Thanks for the update.

On the rear, I was thinking of just adding QA1 coil over spring setup, removing factory "Chevette" springs and adjuster plates but keeping the 4 Link and converting to new Upper and lower QA1 link arms. Their upper arms allow pinion angle adjustment and their lower arms are boxed and far beefier than the stock ford units but still have provisions for mounting the rear Sway Bar.

Keep the pics coming, your input has been invaluable in helping me determine how far I'm going to go with my rebuild.

Can you please let me know what you ordered for the front swaybar and how it works out and mounts?

I may even start a new thread "Rebirth of a Classic Roadster 1", as I've spent the last few days finalizing removal of the body, building a roller buck to hold the body properly so it doesn't sag during the rebuild, and most of my time just pressure washing and degreasing 26 years and 28,000 miles of road grime and grease from the chassis and body underside.

Okay so sway bar is actually 1" after some research we feel that the dimension is best for my setup. What we're doing is fabing a 3 position bracket and use heim joints that will accept sway bar and allow for quicker adjustment while on the car. This way I can dial in performance and not be stuck with choosing wrong size.

The sway bar will also have one arm or bend and not 3 on each side currently. With one bend I can manipulate sway bar with less force which is why I didnt want to go to small.

[RedHawk]

Originally Posted by rbgray1

Redhawk,

Progress looks great. I really like the red A-Arms, should look great when you get it completed.

Couple of questions:

Rear Set-Up:
Which rear springs are you using? Did you need to cut these down at all?

I noticed you went with the QA1 Double adjustable Shock units? I was thinking single adjustable. I'm not sure if I'll ever spend that much time tuning my suspension with over 300 different setting combinations. Do you feel the Double Adjustable are worth the extra $100 per corner?

I'm still contemplating converting to QA1 coil-overs in the rear using original shock position, just welding on upper and lower eyelet plates so the coilovers will clear the upper frame and lower axle tube.

Did you need to pick up a new E-Brake cable (Wilwood PN 330-9371)? I don't know if our stock Ford cable will work with the Wilwood E Brake setup.

Thanks for the pics, I'd really like to see the final bracket setup used for the new front lower A-Arms when you get them welded in.

I have all my Heidts A-Arms sitting in my garage ready to go out for PowderCoating. Just wondering if I should return the lower strut arm set-up and go to full lower A-Arms.

Youve got the right Wilwood part number. pretty sweet setup

Springs at back are 8" 375lbs.