Does anyone make drop spindles for first generation Rivieras? I'm not having any luck finding any. When I rebuilt my front end a couple of years ago, I went with 2" lower than stock springs. I like the current stance, but another 1", maybe 2", would be just right. I don't think I can go deeper than the first two inches without changing spindles because of the adverse effect on steering/suspension geometry and ball joints. I don't want bags. Any advice?
Do a search. Someone asked this question last month or so. The long and short of it was that most recommended to leave it alone because there's not much lowering distance on Rivi's.
You can't chop off a coil spring on this car. The diameter of the last coil is much smaller than the rest of the spring, it's sort of a "pig tail" that allows the spring to be clamped to the frame with a big ear-shaped washer and nut. I've got custom made springs that are two inches lower than stock, I can't go any lower without screwing up my steering geometry and stressing my ball joints unless I use drop spindles. I'd like another inch or two drop, but, you're right. It sits pretty well already. I'll leave it as is.
get them reset 1-2 inches at the local springworks. if you are worried about a bit of camber or tyreware how 'bout a cup of harden up
The rear springs are pigtailed on both ends, but not the front springs. I cut all my springs a few months ago. I should have taken some pictures. The front springs sit back in the spring pocket fine after cutting. On the rear springs, I left the pigtail on the bottom of the spring so it would still bolt to the trailing arm with the ear shaped washer, then made a new clamp out of 1-1/2 inch x 3/16 inch bar stock where the pigtail was cut off the top.
I do not know of any source for dropped spindles. I'm sure you could modify some A arms to use impala etc... drop spindles, but why not air bags if you want it low? I had mine on cut springs for a while. It looked great but I got tired of scraping and dragging over everything so I went ahead and installed air bags last week. I did it all using parts from "Kustombuilder" here on the HAMB for under $1300. Very minimum fab work. Drove it 600 miles this past weekend w/ no problems.
I reckon Perth is full of Chopper Read fans. Bigwig, how far did you cut them? Like I said, I'm already down two inches from stock, I think two inches is about the limit if I still want correct alignment, but maybe you know different from experience. (With all due respect to moondog, as well as my sympathies for that drubbing the Wallabies took in Seth Effrika.)
P.S. Those are sweet lookin' Rivi's Dan and Bigwig. I'd love to see the complete paint job on Bigwigs'.
I cut 2 coils. I'm not sure how much drop that was, but definitely more than 2 inches - probably about 4. I haven't had it aligned yet, but it doesn't appear to be cambered too far to adjust out.
I think I'm about at the same height as yours, da34guy. The lip of the fender well is right about the tops of the whitewalls. I'm thinking right below the whitewalls, just above the wheel would be better.
Here is a '63 and a '69 we did with 3" front and 3" rear with matching shocks. Both cars sit real nice and drive great.
This a pic with the bags, right?? Got any pics of you car with the cut springs? Im looking to cut mine and would like to see how far two coils got you. I got a 65 Mercury Marauder. Thanks
What about rake, Kevin? With 3" lower than stock front and rear, does it sit nose down slightly, or pretty much level? I like the height my front end is at, my back end is a bit too high. I'm wondering if I go with 3" in back will that leave me sitting about level, or nose up. I don't want nose up.
Dirtydan............i'm droolin again...........please warn us when ur about to post a pic of that car. Jim
DirtyDan...........you've done it again........got me droolin over you car pic. You gotta warn us BEFORE u post another. Jim
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