front suspension
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Posted: September 23 2007 10:05 PM
 
bruce garberg (aka bruceg) [ View ] [ gfoods@arvig.net ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
twin valley, Minnesota
(218) 584-8584
 
I'm just starting to build a 47 chev pickup rod and want it as low as possible using a mustang2 type front.I do not want airbags or droped spindles. Must be in the weeds! (short ones) but still be able to drive it. Any body had any experince with grounhawg? or know of any others that would work good.
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  09/24/2007 07:48 AM
air bags or spindles is the only way. coil overs will let it down some but you can only change the geometry of the aframes so much before it no longer works. lower aframe mount is what determines how it sets.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  09/24/2007 12:34 PM
What's your fear with dropped spindles Bruce? Flat out the best way to lower a car and maintain suspension geometry and ride. Low is cool, but you want to enjoy driving it and dropped spindles on your MII will provide the best (and safest) geometry. Hence, improved handling, ride, steering, etc.


Be careful building things too low though. Most states have laws regarding "scrub line" and common sense should tell you NOTHING should hang below the bottom of the wheel lip!


Regarding MII kits, I've never heard of Grounhawg and that's enough for me to steer clear. Save yourself money in the long run and buy the best you can, Heidts! http://www.streetrodding.com/index.cfm/f/rodShops.view/id/42
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by Superior Glass Works  -  09/24/2007 02:30 PM
You can also get lower by mounting the MII crossmember higher up in the frame than originally designed. You'll have to adjust the top 'hats' accordingly by filling in the gaps you've now created, but very doable and safe.
Superior Glass Works [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Mulino, Oregon
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  09/24/2007 03:35 PM
dropped spindles will lower your scrub line. a 47 will be plenty low even using a camaro clip. i personally never opt for dropped spindles.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  09/24/2007 03:46 PM
Really? Why not Shine? Since you've never steered (pun intended) us wrong before you undoubtedly have a good reason for this, educate us!


I never thought dropped spindles had a down side... other than lowering the scrub line but except for lower position of the lower A-arms any other form of lowering has the same effect, right?
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  09/24/2007 03:54 PM
dropped spindles raise the wheel only. which lowers scrub line. i do not like anything that lowers scrub line. dropped spindle with a short tire puts the aframe dangerously close to the ground. there are much safer ways to lower a car.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by jimmothershead  -  09/24/2007 09:49 PM
Bruce.....for that appication go TCI...Total Cost Involved. Includes 2" dropped spindles, 11" brakes. Power rack is optional but do it with your weight and WB. Experiment with junk tires and rims or borrow a buddie's stuff to get the profile and clearence you desire.. 14" or 15" up front. Do not let your wallet be your guide.

Call Yogi's on this site.

I have done them all.. Love bags, but bucks.

Fun with rods, Jim
Jim [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huntingtown, Maryland
 
Posted by sloper38  -  10/01/2007 11:28 AM
In a truck, use a Mk 2 or 3 XJ series Jag. Basic , strong and easy to set low. +power steer.
I'm X38 on any other sites. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Sydney, Australia
 
Posted by motomatt383  -  10/12/2007 11:48 PM
another thought, why not do a Volare frt. suspension. adjustable torsion bars, nice compact unit. 4 bolts drops it out of a volare, there's a great book out there called how to volare anything! that's what i'm puttin' in my truck ('70 dodge D-100).


just a new thought!
motomatt383 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Durham, North Carolina
 
Posted by Rods & Customs by Leon  -  10/13/2007 12:44 PM
Use a Mustt II with bags all mounted normal and if that don't go low enough then "Z" the frame a little.

The back of the frame will need altered as well.

The GM front clip will work good and you can do it the same way........

Drop it with the frame, NOT with the suspension


......DON"T try to mount a Mustang II higher in the frame, ....It won't work!!!
Rods & Customs by Leon [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Highlands, Texas Charter Member since May 2004
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  10/13/2007 01:23 PM
i would check on parts for the volare first. i prefer the gm clip to all.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Extreme Kustoms by Erickson  -  10/13/2007 08:09 PM
I AGREE WITH SHINE. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND USE A 76-82 CAMARO CLIP. BAG IT WITH THE MONEY YOU SAVED ON NOT BUYING THE WAY OVER RATE MUSTT II THING. THE NEXT BEST WOULD BE THE VOLARE AND YES YOU CAN BAG THEY TO. I HAVE ONE UNDER MY 53 FORD TRUCK AND IT HANDLES VERY WELL.
Extreme Kustoms by Erickson [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Wildomar, California
 
Posted by 56chevytruck  -  10/15/2007 04:12 PM
Camaro clip is nice. I need to install taller springs in mine the front is way too low need to raise about 3 inches or so.
Say What... [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Midlothian, Texas
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  10/17/2007 02:26 AM
just shim the front of the cab 1 1/2 in. it will raise the front 3 in.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Rods & Customs by Leon  -  10/17/2007 05:12 AM
What?....
Rods & Customs by Leon [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Highlands, Texas Charter Member since May 2004
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  10/17/2007 12:29 PM
on early gm trucks the gm clip is just a little low for tire clearance. i use a 1 in spacer and 1/4 rubber pad under the front cab mount. buys a little over 2 in of tire clearance. it also lifts the column and gives me a bunch of clearance so i can use the stock gm steering.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Rods & Customs by Leon  -  10/17/2007 12:48 PM
I was wondering what you ment, I've never tryed that one.
Rods & Customs by Leon [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Highlands, Texas Charter Member since May 2004
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  10/17/2007 01:07 PM
just one of those things we run into. customer bought 225's on 7 in rims . so i was searching for a way to "fix" it. works really good. i use a piece of 1x2 tube and a 1/4 rubber pad. the steering clearance was even better. was able to use the stock steering shaft and rag joint with the clipster headers.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by aosborn  -  03/18/2008 01:53 AM
Using dropped spindles on a Mustang II is in my opinion, the best way to go short of installing a C-4 Corvette front end. If you Z the frame, then you have to raise the engine/ trans in the chassis which raises the CG and creates more work in the sheetmetal department (trans tunnel etc). With drop spindles and slightly trimmed springs of the proper load rating for your set-up, you can still align the front end, it will be plenty low, you won't max out the ball joint angles or screw up the camber curve, and you won't have to mess around with a subframe that generally speaking is too wide for the original sheetmetal (not to mention ugly as !@#$). Use a quality front end kit like Heidt's, set the front end to about 1/2 degree negative camber and as much positive caster as the adjustment will allow, (up to about 3 degrees) and you won't go wrong.
aosborn [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Olympia, Washington
 
Posted by jimmothershead  -  03/18/2008 09:30 AM
Bruce....I gave you the answer 5 months ago....note date folks........what did you do?

Jim
Jim [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huntingtown, Maryland
 
Posted by bruceg  -  03/18/2008 09:44 PM
I have my chassis done now, but I cheated. I had Heizman build it. They did a beautiful job on it, It has a Heidts mustang II set up with 2" dropped spindles , its sitting nice and low. Now I,m working on the cab. Has anybody removed drip rails? Thanks for the help
bruceg [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] twin valley, Minnesota
 
Posted by jimmothershead  -  03/19/2008 11:09 AM
Hey, Bruce.........smart move. If I am looking for a rod to buy (which is 24-7) see one sans drip rails, nope, a rust bucket.

Drip rails are there for a reason........rain.
Jim [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huntingtown, Maryland
 
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