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Hot Rods Is this too low for a street car??

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by birdman1, Jan 19, 2015.

  1. There's a bunch of the "how low is too low" type threads.

    A car rolls on the pavement and negotiates the various grade levels, that's its main function.
    "Form follows function" means that the function comes first and takes priority before the form. Getting the form of "low" in front of the function of rolling causes the grill to fall off. How cool can you possible look with a splintered grill?

    *****en cool huh?
    image.jpg

    So your out cruising for chicks and the hottest one is really digging your car. I mean she and everybody else just can't take their eyes of your machine. You pull into the parking lot and SCRAAUUNCH! the grill folds over.
     
  2. Dick Stevens
    Joined: Aug 7, 2012
    Posts: 4,123

    Dick Stevens
    Member

    But my wife won't let me cruise for chicks anymore :oops: and the chicks wouldn't pay any attention to me anymore, unless I pulled a Murphy like that :rolleyes:
     
    i.rant likes this.
  3. LOL the only chicks that have ever been interested in me after seeing what I was riding or driving was my wife. She says it because I always own go to hell vehicles and women are not interested in men with that at***ude. :eek: :D
     
    31Vicky with a hemi likes this.
  4. Well you "noamsaiun"
     
  5. wingman9
    Joined: Dec 30, 2009
    Posts: 804

    wingman9
    Member
    from left coast

    bald_and_grumpy likes this.
  6. Well your frame horns and spreader bars will either plow it out of the way, schooch you over it or stop you dead long before you tear up your grill.
     
  7. Bill Rinaldi
    Joined: Mar 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,877

    Bill Rinaldi
    Member

    Tough call, 'cause that very nice (and expensive) grill leads the way as the low point. Check out the number of late model Corvettes that have battle scars on their lead edge. My Avatar 48' low point is under 4", thats the front cross member. I've s****ed it so many times that I made a skid plate for it. The lead edge has nice angle to it, it skips over, rather than digging in. The biggest surprise hit seems to be road "crowns", the ridge between the wheel tracks. I've also "reshaped" the front edge of the front fenders. When image is everything, it's a *****. BILL RINALDI
     
  8. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,682

    alchemy
    Member

    When I was in high school my car could roll a pop can down the street with the front end. Nowadays I'd probably want a couple more inches clearance.

    My current '32 sits more "1940's style high", and it is trouble free to drive. But when my '40 tudor gets done it will need to be almost as low as yours to look good.
     
  9. GearheadsQCE
    Joined: Mar 23, 2011
    Posts: 3,670

    GearheadsQCE
    Alliance Vendor

    ******, you're showing your age. 2 X 4s haven't been 3 5/8" for a long time. 1 1/2 X 3 1/2". Maybe you just have old 2 X 4s :D
     
  10. Fuzzy Knight
    Joined: Jun 8, 2009
    Posts: 11,806

    Fuzzy Knight
    Member
    from Santee, Ca

    [​IMG]


    I have 25K miles on my Roadster this way. Bottom of grill is 3 inches from the ground but then again it is very close to the axel not out front like a 39/40.
     
  11. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,977

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It's too low when you have to ask your wife or girlfriend to get out of the car because you are stuck on an entry or exit ramp from the street to the parking lot of a business or home.
    All bets are off if you are p***ing through Bountiful Utah because the streets and driveway entries will take a tole on any lowered rig in that town.
     
  12. Model T1
    Joined: May 11, 2012
    Posts: 3,309

    Model T1
    Member

    Birdman hate to pick on you. But first you have to change those ugly Caddy tail lights to something way more flush. Then you are going to have to raise that car at least 2 inches front and rear. That is unless you have a garage full of extra new 39 Ford grilles and chins.
    I had a 49 Ford that was so low I couldn't even drive into many parking lots. Especially lots with small speed bumps. That's where all the cool looking hot girls hang out. So not only will you miss seeing all the kool sites you'll be driving a purdy red car with a ****py grill and ****py tail lights.
    Believe me my favorite cars are 39-40 Ford coupes. Why not get it up a bit and enjoy it?
     

  13. For a second there I thought I was reading the wrong thread,
    Then I figured out that you were posting in the wrong thread,
    Then I R E A L L Y figured out that it is poor birdman who has got both threads going and both ends of his car are needing attention.
     
    Model T1 likes this.
  14. Lone Star Mopar
    Joined: Nov 2, 2005
    Posts: 4,213

    Lone Star Mopar
    Member

    Few trips around the neighborhood will save you alot of speculation.
     
  15. LOU WELLS
    Joined: Jan 24, 2010
    Posts: 3,498

    LOU WELLS
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from IDAHO

    CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HIGHWAY DEPT. AND FIND OUT WHY THEY BUILT THE ROADS SO CLOSE 0433c6_fdc7d19f198e4fc4a65ed55154faa060_jpg_srz_147_89_75_22_0_50_1_20_0.jpg TO YOUR CHIN!
     
  16. Truckedup
    Joined: Jul 25, 2006
    Posts: 4,660

    Truckedup
    Member

    Think of all the road kill the front end will scoop up..
     
  17. Model T1
    Joined: May 11, 2012
    Posts: 3,309

    Model T1
    Member

    You doubted me and my posts? I never make masteaks.
     
  18. 48 Ragtop
    Joined: Nov 22, 2008
    Posts: 263

    48 Ragtop
    Member


    " Hell " " No "
     
  19. Blue Moon Garage
    Joined: Mar 1, 2009
    Posts: 504

    Blue Moon Garage
    Member

    100_9991.JPG I have 7 1/2 inches clearance below the grill on my '39 Deluxe Coupe. Would look better lower but I can drive it anywhere with no worries.
     
    Model T1 likes this.
  20. ct1932ford
    Joined: Dec 3, 2010
    Posts: 13,260

    ct1932ford
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I think this guy has a 39 Coupe!:rolleyes:
    [​IMG]
     
  21. mj40's
    Joined: Dec 11, 2008
    Posts: 3,303

    mj40's
    Member

    When I built mine with a MII front end I added the 2" dropped spindles and the pop can would clear. After driving a couple months, not any more. I have a speed bump in my sub that it will not clear. I'm screwed if the ever add one on the only other road out. Due for a repaint on it.

    [​IMG]
     
  22. trailer-Ed
    Joined: May 15, 2002
    Posts: 1,980

    trailer-Ed
    Member
    from JC, MO

    I can barely fit my fist under the chin of my 40. Its at about 2.5-3 inches. I dive it everywhere and am just careful. That being said, my grill chin has been crunched several times. But nobody sees it but me. My car rides and handles great. I wouldnt change a thing.
     
  23. AHotRod
    Joined: Jul 27, 2001
    Posts: 12,338

    AHotRod
    Member

    Remember: The springs will settle down with miles
    Then you will see that it is to low.
     
  24. DRD57
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 4,344

    DRD57
    Member

    5" of clearance? Is it a 4X4? Get that ****er down in the weeds!

    If it doesn't drag the ground every now and then, it's too high.

    Seriously, if you're worried about the grille dragging, do this.

    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1421718660.519287.jpg


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
    Chili Phil likes this.
  25. Mercman4life
    Joined: Jan 3, 2010
    Posts: 208

    Mercman4life
    Member

    Trust me You will be happy if you raise it a little more. Low is cool, but it is also a whole new driving experience. Take it from one who knows.
     
  26. loafing1
    Joined: Jan 4, 2011
    Posts: 49

    loafing1
    Member
    from Nebraska

    My '40 is 4.5" off the ground at the nose. I always thought it was really low... until reading some posts here. It has dropped spindles and the MII springs have also been cut. I'm pretty careful and sometimes the nose rubs. Not a big deal. You don't see it unless you get almost under it.
    front end.JPG
     
  27. Sometimes the nose rubs-
    After the pavement beat the bottom of the grill higher it now only rubs sometimes, is that how it works? :)
     
  28. loafing1
    Joined: Jan 4, 2011
    Posts: 49

    loafing1
    Member
    from Nebraska

    Haha. I saw your original post and then you changed it! It works well! If that's the case (your original comment that it hit once and was raised higher so it only hit level with the very bottom), than I'd say the 4.5" is just right if the goal is to get it as low as possible w/o destroying the nose! :D
     
  29. Roadsir
    Joined: Jun 3, 2006
    Posts: 4,045

    Roadsir
    Member

    I had a 39 Deluxe Coupe that was way way low. I'll try to find a pic. To me it wasn't driving it that was a problem, it was trying to perform simple maintenance. I got tired of trying to drive it up on 2X6's so I could get a jack under the front. Getting a jack under the rear was worse with a cheap floor jack and getting 1/4" of lift per stroke....But it looked cool as hell, and is one car I would like to have back!
     
  30. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,516

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Where I live, the chin would be split and smashed in, in an hour on the road.
     
    tb33anda3rd likes this.

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