I bought some 1" square tube A-arm/ spring plate spacers from a fellow HAMBer that decided to go another route. So, now I have Aerostar coils and the 1" inch spacers (spacers equivalent to "front end bolt in lowering kit" from Butch's etc.) up front and 2" blocks and 4 degree shims with original springs out back. Its budget, but I like the stance. Pics for reference with measurements.
Looks great! Do you have any issues bottoming out in the front? Before I went to Aerostars, I just had 1/2” thick blocks and mine bottomed our regularly. Now, I just have Aerostars and pulled the blocks out.
Hey Smith, Time will tell, but nothing yet. I took the bump stops that were in the lower a-arms out when i put the aerostars on last summer. I'm one big dude (6'3" 325 lbs.) and I stood on the front bumper,on one corner, and had to shake it down 3 times to bottom it out. I haven't driven more than 15 miles since I put the spacers in, and only alone, but no metal on metal yet! (I do plan to put pancake stops in upper and lower). I will say its definitely form over function with very limited travel....certainly a kustom or lowrider and not a hot rod. I've driven extremely altered static suspension vehicles since the day I was granted a drivers license so my proactive thinking as such probably helps, lol. Id gather to say that if I let someone pilot the ol' bucket that didn't watch out for every subtle change in topography as far ahead as 20/20 vision allows, BANG BANG would abound. I have to add, as I've stated before, I absolutely love the stance on your Ford "Tough and low"..looks like its ready to rumble, for sure! With your wheel offset/ width (I'm guessing wider tracking than stock?) my concern with anything lower would be turning radius. I have now pushed mine to the max without altering the fender lips to keep full lock to lock without s****ing, and I'm running stock wheels. I will update as to changing carnage conditions, stay tuned...
Lol...understood. I have also pretty much followed the form over function rule for a long time driving lowered 60's Chevy pu's with cut springs, etc. for about 30 years now. The main time I see any issue with my car is hauling my wife and 3 kids in it on top of a trunk full of luggage. My driveshaft touches the floorpan every now and then with the 2" blocks in the rear, but I haven't bottomed the front much other than likely smacking the cut-in-half rubber stoppers in the front if I don't see an upcoming bump in the road. Anyway, thanks for the compliment and I really like your car and stance as well. Also, I think my offset of wheel is pretty much stock. I haven't actually measured them, but they pretty much sit right where the stock ones I took off set. My tires are just 670-15's and they are on 5" wheels (if I remember the wheel width right...). The tires that I had on the stock wheels were 215-75-15's and I sure like the little bit taller 670-15's at least the way they go up in the wheelwell more.
Sounds like you've lead a similar custom automotive life. When I put the 2" blocks in the back with the ol' 66 year old springs, I would hit the tunnel with my driveshaft on an uphill takeoff with kiddos in tow. I decided to try 4 degree shims (thickest part to the rear) to see if i could move the driveshaft and input on the rear end away from the floor a smidge without picking up any vibration from the pinion change. It worked! I don't smack the floor any more and no notice of vibration. Still rockin' the stock 3 on the tree, so test speeds are only up to about 65mph on a brave day, but a good cheap trick to try.
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