Projects 26 T Roadster Pick Up build Thread

Did you discuss variable rate springs? Seems that might help your situation.

 

No we didn’t, never thought about that.

Possibly because the 12” progressive spring they offer is 100-200 pound rated.

 

Heavier than I’d think it’d be but that things built pretty stout so I believe it. Bet it handles great with that front/ back weight distribution being so close to even

 

Yes I thought it might be lighter too however it definitely isn’t a porker.

It really does handle nice, looking forward to getting the rear ride sorted out.

It’s extremely fun to drive now, that will make it better.
The Y block makes it get up and go pretty nicely.

 

I'd call QA-1 back and at least ask about the progressive rate. If you've bottomed out a 250, that 150 might be too light. I believe that having an adjustable shock will slow everything down and hopefully not allow bottoming out, but it costs nothing to ask.

 

Done, another call this morning and we discussed the merits and shortcomings of progressive springs.
He didn’t think that for my application that they were a good choice.

He was confident that the adjustable shock with the 150 springs would work.
I’m going to be gaining travel from the longer travel of the shock and the longer at ride height mounted length.

 

Well, at least you have asked. I'll be very interested in how it works.

 

Yes that’s true enough. If I’m not happy with the results I can always try another pair of springs maybe 175 pounds.
Springs are the cheap part of the whole deal at $60 each.
I’m going to trust him for the first go, they work with this stuff all the time.

I’m looking forward to not having my spine compressed every time I encounter a few bumps.
I don’t expect a perfect ride after all it’s a hot rod however the rear suspension should be able to smooth out some of it

 

Assembly and upgrade time

 

Yeah buddy!

 

Cool. JW

 

blue,

The only place I've ever seen coil overs is actually installed.

1. Do they come with a spanner to adjust with?

2. Do you have to get the weight of the car off of them before adjusting?

 

What is your Winters ratio and can yo flip the new rears and go racing? JW

 

I bought a spanner wrench previously they don’t supply them.

And yes they are easier to adjust with the weight off.
I did install the needle thrust bearing set they recommend for the adjusters.

My ring and pinion ratio is 3.78
The ratio of the helical gear set I just installed is 3.19 for street driving, that’s with the large gear on the bottom and the small gear on top.

If I swap them around I will have 4.46.

I also have a selection of 3 different sets of straight cut gears so if I want to race I can easily pull the helical set and pop in a different set.


I have the 3 sets marked.

 

Another COOL! JW

 

Fat Girl on top/ hi
Fat Girl on bottom/ low


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I am thinking the other way round. JW

 

I was replying to the "Fat Girl'' top and bottom scenario.
Have you finished the install yet, Larry ? JW

 

I deleted my mistaken response
The gears are in and I also replaced the input shaft seal and the 2 o rings that are part of keeping the gear oil in.

The tiny leak should be taken care of.

Topped up the gear oil.
Coil overs tomorrow.

 

Looking forward to the report on the road test. JW

 

That’s going to be delayed because of the weather and other projects I have going on when the weather improves.
But I’ll get there. Eventually

 

I'm sure that this has been beaten to death somewhere here already:
A high numerical ratio is actually a lower gear ratio. Think of it this way; if you put the transmission in 'Low' it multiplies the torque, say 2 : 1. In traditional 'High' the ratio is 1 : 1. So, a 4.11 is lower than a 3.73.
Just because Winters got it wrong and put it in print does not make it right.

This bugs me because I was an Auto Shop teacher and spent a lot of time teaching kids to use the correct terminology.
End of rant!

 

You should call Winters and school them.
Maybe they will change it.

 

I'd rather just bitch about it here!

 

Thanks again for sharing your adventure with us step by step, the build and the tweaking than can only come with miles. To do what you've done and have so few issues speaks to the care you used throughout. If I ship my '26 Chevy to you..........?

 

Well the new coil overs are installed and I am really impressed and I haven’t even driven it yet.
I have a feeling that they are going to be perfect.
Point of reference. The TCI shocks with the 250 pound springs sat with a 13 1/4” length at ride height.

Taking hold of the top of the rear tailgate and putting my whole weight on them I couldn’t bounce them

With the QA1S adjusted to 14 1/4” eye to eye mounted length I gained that extra length and clearance and with the 150 pound springs I can actually make the suspension work

The dampening adjustment is also going to be nice.

I think it’s going to be really good.
I’ll let you know when I get out for a drive.

 

A true iconic hot rod.

 

In the event it quits raining here in sunny Alberta.

 

Tell me about it. When’s summer starting?