Pm sent. Thanks!

Durham Missouri

In my case, I am dealing with a wide tire and fender clearance on turning, especially on bumps, driveways. I have 7 inch/3.75 inch backspace Torque Thrust D's with 225/60 15 Michelin Pilots. I would have to change wheels and/or tires to make lowering any further practical. BigWindow62, the Aerostar springs are gathering dust in the garage. They're yours for the cost of shipping if you want them. Don't remember your location and the springs aren't very expensive, I think they were about 90 bucks when I bought them.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

If a 1/2" spacer would raise the cars body 1-2" that would be perfect. I talked to Dave at Drop em N Stop em and he told me the Versailles spindles would lower my car 1 1/2. So with the Aerostar springs and a 1/2" spacer that should put me at my 3" drop I am looking for. Right?

Durham Missouri

The progressive springs have the coils wound in such a way as to get stiffer as they collapse. So at relatively minor compression, they feel like the original springs - but as they approach the bump stops, the "spring-rate" goes up. When the spring is out lying on the garage floor, you can see that the coils start at one spacing and slowly change to another.

The spring is roughly halfway out the swing arm from pivot to the tire - so a half inch up or down at the spring is more like an inch or two of body movement.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve has this one figured out. The Moog catalog lists the 1979-on Fox body springs as 4.01", and the Aerostar at 4.07", I think. And there's a ton of different spacers for the Mustangs. Summit lists a bunch of them. Remember, 1/2" change at the spring will be a bit more for the car as a whole. Summit shows some of this, but I don't know how it applies to our mixed applications. I've had the Aerostar springs in for years, and I love them.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Greenbird, I take it the progressive springs you are talking about are the Aerostar? Do they offer that much of a drive/ride improvement? If the spacer would work and get me to within a 1/2 inch of the back I would definitely try them. I am putting parts together now to rebuild the front end and change to discs so I am thinking now is a good time to do springs also.

Durham Missouri

I was figuring I would end up in the same shape as Mark if I put the shorter progressive rate springs on with the dropped late spindles (way too low). But - I really hate to give up the modern ride and handling of the progressives..... Suppose we would use urethane or rubber spacers on top of the springs to jack the ride height back to where we want it? I don't see any down side to that method. The lower A-arm needs to be roughly horizontal in order to make things work right. 


 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

I used the Granada spindles on my 57 Bird for the disc brake change. Tried it with the Aerostar springs but it was way too low and had to take them off. 

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Yes it has rear leafs. I was hoping to find a kit for the front and rear like Jameco has instead of piecemeal the parts. With the Versailles spindles I don't think the Aerostar springs would work. Would be too much in the front since I assume they will lower the front 1" I dont want to go any lower than 3" overall.I think I will call my local spring shop to see what the can do. They may have new bushings also.

Durham Missouri

IIRC, when I put the wagon rear end under my 55 bird (late 60's), the only difference was the spring perches. I needed 1 1/2" or 2". Blocks to bring the car back to level. If the springs need to be gone thru, that's probably the better route.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ