1952-59 Ford Aerostar springs and Granada Spindles will drop how much?

I need help deciding weather to use the stock springs with my Granada spindles or buy new aerostar springs. What would you do. Also found 55 Ford rear springs priced right and spec seems to be the same as a 54. I can get 5 or 7 leaf springs, but afraid the seven leaf would leave me looking like I'm plowing ground. I'm also going to install a cavalier Rack and pinion into my car the steering box and tie rods are worn out. I puleed a good unit from the local salvage, cost me $39.00 and was looking for a DIY kit and the only one I found was from Fatman for over 400.00. Man I'm not about to spend that for a few brackets. Wondering if anyone had made their own setup. Yes I do understand bump steer and ackerman. I dirt tracked in my 20s and I'm not afraid to tackle working out the setup, but would like to hear from anyone who has taken the project.
Ralph

 

I did the Granada spindles & Aerostar springs in my 55. The front end dropped 3.5 to 4 inches after settling. Look in my album and you can see the results. Not all pics show the drop due to the uneven ground. The pic's with white walls all around are before and mags/black front rim is after.

 

During any front end rebuild, new springs should be installed. New stock springs may put you in nose bleed teritory. I would go with the Aerostar, and if after a month of driving you want it higher, shim it.

 

Are the Granada spindles a drop spindle? I thought they were factory height.

 

I believe the Granada spindles lower the front around 1" over stock height. You do have to ream the lower mount for the stock ball joint to fit. The less you ream the more it will drop the front end.

 

Granada spindles require reaming at the lower ball joint and you can go with 1.5" or 2.5" depending on how much you ream them.

 

I'm doing the Cavalier R&P in my wagon, and it pretty straight forward. Making my own brackets etc. The only negative thing with this is that your turning radius will be increased, cuz the R&P will not allow the car to turn as sharp. Also doing the Aerostar spring thing. Everything I've heard about this is positive, cuz they are a progressive spring. Have at it.

 

Parklane, I was looking at my setup and thinking a spacer welded to the bottom of the frame might work. Possibly a bracket instead on the psgr side, but it seems it will be pretty close to the frame. How do your brackets work, do you have any pictures.
Ralph

 

Parklane; with the number of bolt on steering arms now available, if a guy found a pair about 1/2 inch shorter, wouldn't that solve the turn radius problem? The newest Speedway catalog shows forged steering arms for several cars. If this could be done without welding, - - - - -

 

meknow63 i was wondering what shock you are using i have the aerostar springs and granada spindles but have not found a shock that works real good this setup lowered my 55 three and half inches

 

I used the KYB's. the part # is in the sticky. My 55 drives 100% better.

 

Ole Don, thanks, will look into that.

 

Do the Granada spindle / Aerostar springs work on 57-59's?

 

Hey ROK77 , the front end is slightly different BUT most stuff "works" between the two models ,springs will need to be "adjusted" to the ride H u want ,the spindles will fit BUT the bottom ball joint on the 57-9 is larger so u need one to use as a guide to the re-ream of the lower mount on the spindle , tops r the same and drag ends should be too.......I have /had this set up on 55 ,56 ,57 ,59....cheers rk57

 

Thanks again Rik57. I think that I'm going to scrounge up a set of Granada spindles. Are you guys retaining the disc brakes or do the drum setup work on these spindles?

 

I was fussing about Fatmans kit to install a R&P, being to expensive, but bought all the brackets from them for less then half. Turns out over half the cost is the steering u joints. Picked those up at the salvage yard for 5 bucks a piece along with my R&P for 39.00 and am a happy camper with R&P steering for under 300.00. Just waiting on my spindles to come back from the machine shop to finish the front end. I was pretty surprised when replacing the rear springs, installing 3" blocks and my shortened 8.8 rear, that the car is sitting pretty much where it was when I started. I had no idea the springs were so bad.

 

Does anyone know if the front suspension set up from a crown Vic would work on an early Ford? I know that they are a popular swap on F100s.

 

I certainly thought it would and had intentions of doing just that, but gave it up when I realized I lacked the tools. If you can do the clip modifications, I think it would be great. The only con I could think of was the width of the suspension which might be a little wide. Just my 2 cents worth, about what it's worth.

Ralph

 

I've installed R&P steering along with my disk brake setup and was fixing to cobb together the steering column hookup to the R&P. I was a little put off by the columns steering shaft being 1" and the only u-joints I had were 3/4", salvage from the u-pull-it. But today much to my delight I looked at a front wheel drive buick and discovered a 1" u-joint, rag joint, shaft and 3/4" u-joint that is adjustable in length. Cost me $5.00, I almost kissed the cashier. It fits my new steering column and R&P perfectly. OK I'm thru patting myself on the back.

Ralph

 

Rokkett77 look here http://nashville.craigslist.org/pts/3745497909.html

 

you shoulda took pictures of the install!! we love pics!

 

I have decided to get a set of aerostar springs. Is there any particular year and engine that is preferable? 3.0L or 4.0L ?

 

I forget what year model aerostar my springs are for, but the correct part number is
moog cc850.

 

Here is a deal for you on them: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOOG-CC850-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item51a1594dbd&vxp=mtr