Does anyone have a before and after picture of installing MOOG CC850 coil spring set for Ford Aerostar? I am thinking about installing a set to lower my car but if it doesn't look lower I will have to change my plans. Thanks
It's a '51, but I think you get the idea. Look at the relationship of the front wheel to the front bumper. Before : After :
I know things change with Time, especially the memory but I don't remember ever seeing a stock 50/51 sit this tall. Center of the wheel below the bottom of the front bumper? I don't think so. And the back clearly has some Lift work done to it and it shows in the spring shackles. Something goofy going on there.
Well, for 1 thing, his rear shackles are flipped over. With decent springs that will lift it. I've done that on my '51 when I was loaded up on a trip with a little TrailorBoat camp trailer behind it. '49-'50 didn't have shackles like that. His 2nd pic has the rear shackles flipped back to stock. My '51 coupe had cut springs in front and it was a wallowing pig. Put Aerostar springs in it and it was lower and with the progressive wound springs it handles MUCH better. I put short bump stops on too, it will need them. Way better ride. Do it! Dave
The shackles were "pulled" in order to have the car sit level when I got it. I will tell you that this was an original car in extremely good condition when I bought it in 1987 with 63,000 documented original miles. The front suspension is still in excellent original condition because the car has been well maintained all of it's life, Most people are only familiar with old, worn out examples not maintained to factory standards. I will state that the Aerostar springs are a definite improvement on these cars. Here is a little more information on my car : https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=147290&highlight=Invoice.
I had a '50 4dr that was tuckered out. Bought a 60,000 mile '51 4dr and it set at least 3 inches higher than the '50 and rode great. Original faded paint, upholstery, etc. Still has the original booklet hanging from the working windup clock. Dome lights worked, everything! My nice '51 coupe was always a sagger when it came to springs. Mileage makes a huge difference on how these shoe boxes sit. Dave
Thank you for the pictures. I would think the front would be lower with the rear shackles flipped, however the picture shows the fender well above the tire in the first picture and lower in the second picture when the shackles are flipped back down. The second picture also shows how much lower the rear fender is when the shackles are not flipped. I was planning on putting lowering blocks in the back but not the 4" blocks I've in videos because they can hardly get the tires on with that much lowering. I was hoping the front would be a little lower with the Aerostar springs. Thanks again
I had a 50 sedan years ago and lowered the front by drilling the rivets out of the plate that hold the bottom spring pocket and putting in a piece of 1" square tubing between the plate and lower a frame and cutting a coil off the spring. Used 2" lowering blocks in the rear. I did my 53 Merc the same way in the early 90's, both rode well and no alignment problems. This is the best picture of it I have electronically.
I'm sure my springs have sagged on this one. Aerostar in front, 1.5" blocks in rear. Tires are 205x75R-15 on original wheels. Dave
Thank you Dave. Your shoebox sits really nice. I can see more of a drop in the rear than in the front but it looks pretty level from the pictures. And like you said I am sure it will sag a little more. I think 1.5" drop in the rear is the way I will go. Thanks again
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