I have a riley model a frame that is set up with p&j ladder bars and coilovers. If I can find the room is it safe from an engineering standpoint to put in a new crossmemeber and move the coilvovers to the front side of the rear axle. I will also flip the lower coilover mounts around. I want to free up room behind the axle for a suspended fuel tank in a channeled model a sedan. Is this safe or just a stupid idea?
Totally safe, and not uncommon. It will have a slight effect on spring rate and shock function, being that they are closer to the pivot point, but it is nothing you would notice. Go for it!
Anyone else have experience with this? Thanks for the info Gimpy! Do I keep the standard 25 degree ish shock angle?
Should be just fine with 25º. Since moving them forward gives the suspension more mechanical advantage over the shocks and springs, if you bring the angle back to 20º, you will offset that nicely.
I have been thinking of doing exactly the same thing simply because I don't want my O/T coil overs showing..
I didnt think of that Rocky, but would be a big bonus! Coilovers always stick out like a sore thumb on sedans and this would bury them deeper into the car. good thought!
Agree with gympsihotrods - no drama - Chevy did it under millions of coil sprung rears for ages - worked OK for them.
Why not? I mounted my leaf spring ahead of the rear on my '34 in 1957 and here's a pic of my current build with leaf spring ahead of the rear. Not coilovers but the car doesn't know what is holding it up and the geometry doesn't affect it that much, actually a little better. I did this one to show off my quickchange
The rear suspension will be a little stiffer using the same spring rate but that might be a bonus as the springs take a set. Frank
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