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Falcon drop springs

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by need louvers ?, Aug 4, 2010.

  1. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member

    Hi gang, I read through an old thread today that popped back up regarding Arostar front springs in '49-'59 Ford passenger cars. Sounded like it worked great, and several were happy with the drop and the ride characteristics. My question is this, With all the Falcon people on the board, has any body run across a front spring that will drop a Falcon 3" or so, and provide a reasonable ride? I'm almost to that point on the Girlfriends Ranchero, and would prefer it to cutting springs. Any body?
     
  2. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member

    I forgot to mention it's a '62 with a six cylinder.
     
  3. krimsonghost
    Joined: Sep 9, 2008
    Posts: 83

    krimsonghost
    Member

    i would actually like to know also. i have seen cars with a shelby set up on the front with cut springs, but if there is an alternative to cutting springs it would be great
     
  4. Babyearl
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 610

    Babyearl
    Member

    Isn't there a modification that can be done to the location of the upper A frame? I was thinking that it moved the A frame down 1 1/2" and cut one coil for a 3" drop, good ride and better handling. Maybe look on a Falcon site,,, just saying.
     

  5. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member

    Babyearl, that's called The Shelby drop. You redrill and move the upper arms down 1", and it increases the camber curve to better keep the contact patch of the tires on the road through turns. It does lower the car a little, but in my experience, not that much. I was just looking for any experience with later model coils that might be the right length to do the job without a cut.
     
  6. lowsquire
    Joined: Feb 21, 2002
    Posts: 2,567

    lowsquire
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    Surely there are heaps of suppliers of lowered springs for Mustangs? same car..
     
  7. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member

    Yes, but the Mustang springs out there have tendency to heavier spring rates, and a stiffer ride. If I was going to build this trucklet for me, that's how I would go. This is for my tiny adorable Asian girlfriend to put around in, so it needs to be comfortable.
     
  8. Julio
    Joined: Feb 25, 2009
    Posts: 263

    Julio
    Member
    from san diego

    I wanna know too! Its hard to ride low and hear a big thud with every pot hole!
     
  9. Kustom Komet
    Joined: Jun 26, 2007
    Posts: 640

    Kustom Komet
    Member

    Six banger Falcon springs are soft, and don't respond badly to cutting. I've cut many sets to lower these cars, and they all ride just fine. 1 to 1.5 coils should should get you there, and for cheap too. If you screw up, easy to find more.

    -KK
     
  10. cracker head
    Joined: Oct 7, 2007
    Posts: 966

    cracker head
    Member


    I did the same thing to mine when it was my daily driver with no problems. Cut them sum-bitches!
     
  11. JeffB2
    Joined: Dec 18, 2006
    Posts: 9,499

    JeffB2
    Member
    from Phoenix,AZ

    There is spring shop in Phoenix located at the corner of 55th Ave & Maryland,I think they are part of Eaton they would have the info you need to cross reference for a fit.
     
  12. I had 2" drop springs which were rated "heavy duty sports" and with a 6pot and it would bottom out to bump stops all the time- and i'm not that heavy either!

    I would recommend dropped spindles and stock springs. We can get 2" dropped spindles here. and if u wanted 3" i'd put a 1" drop spring on top of that.

    I used to hate closing my eyes and gripping that big wheel every pot hole i saw at last second in anticipation of that "SMASH!" sound.

    Maybe for cost try cutting original springs first and see how goes?
     
  13. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member

    Kustom Komet, thanks man! I've had a pair of cut coils in my personal '62 for about twenty five years or so, so I know it will work. I was just hoping someone else had come up with something a little more modern and maybe a progressive rate. As I said before, this is for my girlfriends trucklet, she would prefer that I not drop it at all, but that's just not possible with me! So ride quality is absolute paramount on this deal.

    Jeff B2, Thank you very much! I have seen that shop before in passing, and I have to run over to Glendale powdercoat today or tomorrow, I'll stop in and see if they can help...

    Xppetey66, Do you have a web address for the company making the drop spindles over there? I believe they should interchange with American stuff. Might be worth looking into.
    Thanks guys
     
  14. www.rodshop.com.au

    Search under stub axles. I just checked and it had a notice that they are evaluating supply vs demand needs, so maybe shoot them an email or search ebay over here.
     
  15. madscience
    Joined: Jul 3, 2011
    Posts: 41

    madscience
    Member
    from Caro, MI

    Jamco Makes 3 inch drop springs, and you can also get three inch drop springs from Dearborn Classics. In fact, I think i'm going to order a set this weekend.
     
  16. jcm65
    Joined: Oct 8, 2008
    Posts: 31

    jcm65
    Member
    from Santa Rosa

    just cut it. If you go to far you can always get some 1" poly insulators to raise it back up.
     
  17. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member


    Thanks guys, I cut them about three years ago and the Ranchero morphed into a wagon that has been driven continuously for almost a year now. It looks like this... like I said, it wasn't a matter of not knowing I couldn't cut them, been there done that, just looking for a more modern spring rate.
     

    Attached Files:

  18. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,540

    5window
    Member

    A: Three year old thread!
    B: You'd damn well be ahead to do a thorough search before you send money to Jamco. Just send your money to me.I won't ship you any product either, but at least I'll use it to work on a hot rod.
     
  19. hoop98
    Joined: Jan 23, 2013
    Posts: 1,362

    hoop98
    Member
    from Texas

    2001-2 Eldo rear springs should fit , they are about 1/4 inch smaller in diameter, just a tad stiffer will lower car about 2.5 inches.

    Moog 81009 or wrecking yard.

    Hoop
     
  20. madscience
    Joined: Jul 3, 2011
    Posts: 41

    madscience
    Member
    from Caro, MI

    I'm sorry, whats an eldo? And thanks for the info.


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  21. MUNCIE
    Joined: Jan 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,347

    MUNCIE
    Member
    from Houston

    X2 words of wisdom. I bought a new set of moog springs for a v8 and they were way too stiff.Just collecting dust now.:cool:
     
  22. hoop98
    Joined: Jan 23, 2013
    Posts: 1,362

    hoop98
    Member
    from Texas

    Cadillac Eldorado
     
  23. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member


    Cool Hoop!!! I sat and looked at a Moog catalog 'til I was cross eyed and didn't see that one. I'll check it out tomorrow...
     

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