So now that I finally registered my new daily driver '63 Fairlane, it needs to be dropped. I am doing 2" blocks in the back and will be snipping a bit from the coils up front. My question is this. I thinking 1.5 coils out of the front springs should give the drop Im looking for. Is this still within the range of a cushy nice ride or will I be bouncing miserably down the road?
I had a 64, and thought that the OEM springs were far too weak. The thing would roll terribly in a turn. However if you are intent on lowering it, I'd try using some of those clamp things, that are like 2 brackets and 2 bolts. If you like how it goes, then cut away on the springs. They are cheap, and you get to try it before you buy it.
Couple things to remember with front coil cutting: It's approx. a 2:1 ratio on most A arm cars, meaning if you cut 1" of linear height form the spring, you will drop 2" at the spindle. So measure how much you want the front to drop and cut HALF of that from the linear height of the spring. The spring rate will also go up slightly when cut so the ride will stiffen somewhat. Happy cutting!
if it's a fairlane look into yhe shelby drop. basicaly you dril new holes for the upper a arm. and it lowers the car and helps with handeling.
I have '67 Fairlane and I cut my front springs about 1.5" which droppped the car about 2". The springs are a little soft so I am going to fit heavier ones from a big-block car. Check out this site: (http://bbb-carb.com/coilsprings/ford/fairlane.htm). Another good supplier is Eaton Springs. I've heard the recommended way to reduce spring height is to place jack stands under the frame set at the desired ride height and then heat the coils until they settle at the correct height. I'll try this next time. I was not able to find lowered coils for my car through Eibach or any of the other big spring makers. There were a few available for Mustangs but these only lower the car about 3/4". You will probably have the same problem.
You're joking about heating the springs, right? BTW, you were looking in the wrong place to get springs for old steel. Try Eaton or ask your local tire shop where they get custom springs made. I just took the whole spring out and replaced with airbags on my 65
No, I actually heard about heating the coils from an old hot rodder but you're right to be skeptical. On second thought I'll probably cut the heavier springs. I checked the height with the springs compressed and then used the spring rate (lbs./in) and the weight on the front axle to determine the inches to cut. I've checked around an have not found many suppliers for the Fairlane. For my year I can use Cougar/Mustang springs but for a '63 I don't know. I bought some springs from Eaton but all they had were softer springs than the stock ones I had installed so I sent them back.
heating coils is usually a horrible idea, especially on a daily driver. i cut the shelby springs for my '64 comet. got the look i wanted and handles great. the previous owner had heated the coils, and while it looked good for him for 2 days, it looked horrible the rest of the time.... completely lopsided when it settled. i'm not sure if the '63 uses the mustang coils, i imagine they are close. i am in the same boat with my '62 meteor (essentially same car), i just havent gotten there yet.
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