Features Falcons done right?

Here is my 1962 Ranchero
Its a "mostly" original I-6. the front has a shelby drop and cut 1/2 coil, the back has 2" blocks. It came with 14's instead of regular 13's. I added the scallops. I want to put a white outline on them soon.



Here is my future falcon. its a 1961 Sedan Delivery. It will have 15's and a 302. I think its gonna roll on bags too... not too sure about the rest of it, thinking of a metal flake roof and some metal flake vinyl seats....

 

Crazygutgut,

I like how your Ranchero sits. How does it ride that way? What tires are you running on those 14s? Any rubbing?

-Dave

 

I gotta get back to you on tire size.. I think they are 185/80 They are Firestones. I like the skinny whites. It rides really nice considering, not too bouncy. The shelby drop helps keep the geometry so it keeps its handling characteristics. I also had got new lower arms, and bushings etc.. I have a Pacemaker header in it. the guy that did the pipes originally had it coming down too low so even before I lowered it, I had about 5 inches under the pipe. After I lowered it and in my driveway with the front half in the street and the rear half in the drive way I had NO clearance. I had to have the pipes re-worked. now I have plenty of space. The tires are actually pretty skinny. It rubs slightly in the front if I am making REALLY tight turns but never during regular driving even with my wife in the cab and junk in the bed.
the back is free and clear..

 

I’m glad to hear it. Guys on the Falcon boards have had lots of negative things to say about lowering, so I was a little nervous, as I’ve got 195/75/14s for mine (only on the back at the moment, as I’m short one 14-inch front wheel). I didn’t realize there was an 80-series 14-inch tire available.

-Dave

 

Dont quote me on the tire size yet... The guys in my club (which is a falcon club) mostly all have lowered cars to some extent. you can see the blue convertible next to mine its dropped 2 inches all the way around and sits on 15's. I believe it has 2" blocks in back and shorter coils in the front as well as the shelby drop... it looks sweet and thats the presidents car.. People always say that lowering messes it up, I havent seen too much proof of that, its a personal preference I think...

 

Thanks, yep , 8's w/245's out back 7's up front w/225's

Doesn't hurt them at all to lower em. Mines pretty slamed. Here is our wagon.

 

XxStait-EdgexX,

First thing's first, keep in mind that these are unibody cars. Any rust/rot to the floors or any part of the undercarriage is a structural safety hazard.

The rocker panel area seems to be a common area of rot, immediately in front of the doors behind the wheelwell. If theres rust in the trunk, you might also check the inner fenderwell area back there as well.

The big thing is to take a peak underneath. Any extensive damage is going to be a big, and a necessary, project to repair.

Hope this helps!
Gayl

 

Okay I checked they are 185/75 R14 Firestone FR380

 

That's a cool wagon!

 

Ive been trying to find a picture of a squared body with 4 inch whitewalls to see how it will look.The round bodies seem to flow a lot better with the wide whites.

 

Found this one but they look like 2 in white walls.

 

Not to bag on your preference, but wide whites on anything after 61/62 or so is not a traditional look (according to the knowers )

 

I guess I can see that probably why I never found a picture on some.
They don't seem to go with the body style.Not sure what Im going run on my 64 with steel rims.Maybe blackwall with some dog dish caps and beauty ring .I don't know I have the original hubcaps that might look good with some 1 inch whitewalls.Haven't seen many of these around either.I have both sets except no beauty rings.Awww decisions... decisions

 

Similarily, I'm just not a fan of wide whites on the 64 style falcons, but then again, I'm a round body falcon guy. Really, the early falcons still carry on the 50's look, whereas the later model falcons started going for that (looks over his shoulder and whispers) "muscle car" look, IMO.

Then again, the falcon that Muncie posted looks pretty kick ass with those 2 inch whitewalls.

I really like my skinny whites on my 61, but then again, I can afford the skinny whites.

Cheers,
Gayl

 

Your wagon looks awesome. What did you do to get that stance? 3" blocks in back and 2 cut coils up front?

 

Nah it's an 8'2"
Just a "cruiser" really

 

Thanks brotha. So its pretty much like any other car of the era lol

 

The latest issue of the FCA newsletter has a picture of a '64-'65 with wide whites. It doesn't look too bad if you can avoid thinking about how it's supposed to be.

-Dave

 

Thanks I'll check it out.

 

Thanks.

 

Hey guys with all the lowered Falcons here how many of you guys along with the shelby drop used a wedge kit so the ball joint doesnt bind up or brake? Ive heard this is the best way to go but I didnt hear much about it here. Anyone have any problems not doing this? Anyone having any sort of problems with the front being lowered? Im going to be doing the shelby drop with a cut coil or so to match the 3" blocks in the back. any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

No I ordered a set of black crager steelies from summitt for it

 

I'm running 1" discs in the front with a 2" drop, and don't have any ball joint binding issues. I've got 3" blocks in the rear (leaf), and cut 1-1/2 coils in the front; I had to add about 3/4" of shims to the upper A-arm bushing shaft bolts to correct the camber; the caster is probably whacked a little, but I've been told that it's not that critical. Be sure to set your toe-in to 1/2" closer in the front of the tire than in the rear (tie rod end adjustment)...

Now...scraping the wheelwells when I turn, all the time...that's another story....
Rob

 

awesome good to hear. Those wedge kits ate pretty expensive. any chance you could post a pic of your ride?

 

1/2" toe in? something's not right and that will eat tires. Are you sure about that 1/2" figure?

 

Does anybody have a line on Toe board replacements for a '63 wagon. From what I'm told everyone is on backorder til late December and it's a maybe at that point?

Thanks,
Ben

 

Rob

 

Don,
I was told by a front end alignment mechanic to measure the distance between the back of the front tires (at a fixed point), and then subtract 1/2" from that measurement to get the toe-in on the front of the tires (adjust by turning the tie rods). I've got mine adjusted that way, and after 6 months on new tires, I haven't noticed any wear yet.

It's a "rough-in" alignment that gets you in the ball park; I would suggest taking it to a shop for a more precise adjustment afterwords.
Rob

 

Your the man! the wagon looks good. your pretty low in the front so if you dont have issues then im excited to do mine. I want the stance to be even so it wont be as low in the front. thanks