have any of you used one of these kits with the areostar springs? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0572028005&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT
I just went to autozone and used the aerostar springs it lowered it pretty good for me dont know about using the spacers and springs together but I think I have heard of a some guys doing it.
Seems like a lot of money for what you could make with some 1" square tube and a drill. Here's some pics of what they do (stolen from another thread)...
I notice in the ebay kit it comes with grade 5 bolts,I think the 1" square tube and grade 8 bolts from Ace would be about half the price and no shipping either.I think there are some additional pictures posted here in the Social Group archives.
Why pay more for alum when steel does the same thing and is a lot cheaper ! If you have a Tractor Supply around you , then buy your grade 8 hardware there . They charge by the pound and is way cheaper that way too . Make sure you buy a good quality drill bit too . bet you won't break $30 to $35 for the kit . Those kits on ebay are for lazy people with money to burn ! Jim
I was thinking you could make it pretty easy. I have areostar springs wasent sure how well they would work together
The Advantage to the aluminum spacer kit (Mine was like 40 bucks from night prowlers four years ago), is that you don't have to drill a damn thing. Its knock the rivets out, put the spacer in, and put the grade 8 hardware and lock nuts on. Lazy or not, its not a job for the light hearted. You'll for sure need a big ball peen, or an air chisel, as those rivits are a beezy to knock out. All in all, I've got cut coils and a-arm spacers, and the ride is okay, and it sits okay.
If anyone is going to make their own lowering blocks, don't use tubing! I" square bar stock is what you need.
I've run the areostar springs for over a year and they are great! The front is a little higer than with the cut coils but it rides so much better. Aerostar coils lower the car about 2 1/2 inches.
Flyboy89 is on the right track - use solid aluminum stock. There is a web site called "online metals" and they will sell you 1" square aluminum for a decent deal. Even cut it to length if you want such a service. The Grade 8 capscrews can crush steel thinwall tubing and lose your clamping preload.
BigShawn; I have been thinking about using the Aerostar springs in my 56. Did you have to re-align, and if so, how much did it throw off your alignment. Paul Selfe.
If you use the aerostar coils, what do you need for shocks? With the ***ociated drop in the front end, the shock length would be effected.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260795 Paul here is the link that helped me and no I didnt need re-align it didnt drop it that severe mine drives and ride great now
i just put them in my wifes 55 2 weeks ago and they worked out perfect. didnt change the alignment at all. amd the ride is great. just as good as stock. i went with the shocks in the above built thread and everything works great. i cant weigh in much on the using the spacers much but have thought about putting them in her car as well. i wouldnt think it would change that much. but i am going to wait till the spring settle all the way and see where it sits.
For the rivets , a grinder or cut off wheel will work just fine too and will save you from swinging the BFH ! And YES , ALWAYS use a solid bar with grade 8 bolts, nuts & lock washers for spacers ! I think the springs would really be the better way to go in the long run ! Better handling is always the best way to go ! Jim
You don't have to go to solid square stock iron on these. 1/4 wall square tube stock is more than adequate and is thicker that much of the stock suspension parts in many cars. The aluminum is easier to drill but much more $$.
Here is a link to "Online Metals" ....they are a "reliable source"my company has used many times. http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=1116&step=4&showunits=inches&id=999&top_cat=60 There is a set of '56 a-arms in my shop and it will take (4) - 1" sq x 4 x 9 inch long aluminum bars to do the job. Online will charge you $16 and shipping for enough material (36") to do a '56. There is no such thing as 1/4 wall x 1 inch welded steel tubing - and trust me, three x 1/4 SAE Grade 8 capscrews will crush a 9 inch length of the 1/8 wall mild steel square that is common. Be safe. The one inch dropping spacer is about one half of the way out from the hinge bolt to the wheel center - so the spindle moves up in the wheel house twice the thickness of the spacer .......If you have already done some other lowering tricks - the shorter coils, low profile tires, etc. - you can end up very, very, very low.
so 2 1/2 inch drop spindles ,the 1 inch spacers ,and the aerostar springs combined together will give you around 7 inchs of drop for the front end ????? hmmmmm......might try it..
Forget the spacers aero springs if you want to drop it Bag it!!! The ride is better and smoother. With a flip of a ****on you can drop it to lay frame or up to ride height. Thats how we roll in Cali.
Did you just use the regular bag kit or make your own?? Air ride used to show a setup but on their new site there is nothing for the 56. That is what I would like for my 56.
The obvious problem with '54 ford front suspension and air bags, is relocating the shocks. I'd really like to see a set up with stock suspension using bags. Also, Retro Jim, that will get the head of the rivet off yes, but a BFH is still needed to knock the rust of the ****** out!
The Jalopy Journal
