Finally started putting the Aerostar springs in I got the drivers side done today it only took about an hour and went in relatively smooth. It really does drop the front alot Im just hoping it doesnt drag the ground once I get the engine and trans in it. Nothing like doing all this under a shade tree!
it wont drag the ground. i found out this past weekend ill be keeping my steelies on the front. i was backing into the parking place at the show and the tire rubed the fender just a little.
I discovered a few weeks ago that I have aerostar springs when I took everything apart, and I can guarantee that your car will be not drag. I have a 351W w/ C6 and the car sits quite nice and never bottoms out. The wheels will sit fine and not rub also. I've taken the entire front suspension apart and I'm currently replacing all the bushings too. If you decide to go that far and need some advice let me know, I've had to get tons so far and I've done all the work myself.
Ok thanks 54Hotrod, So far all the Tierod ends and joints seem to be in good shape. Looks like the PO had all of them changed when he had it. I am changing the shocks to the shorter shocks and found the old ones were shot so it was time to change them. I am going to have to find a place that sells the rear springs though, I need to change them out and would like to get some that have an inch or two lift built in.
I finished my Aerostar conversion last sat. Car rides better than it did, and it didn't bottom out on my bumpy road. So far I have taken it on two 30 mi. trips and the ride is very smooth. The Aero springs are 4 in. shorter than the originals, but they are heavier (coils), so there seems to be less travel. New springs and 2 new shocks (original 56) for just over 100 bucks, can't beat that! Paul Selfe.
JC Whitney has a pretty good price on rear springs; I got a set (believe it or not - they were stamped Made in USA!! ) but haven't got them installed yet. Best price I could find, and if you watch their website they offer free shipping once in awhile. I think several other groupies also got springs from Whitney. They are standard replacements so won't give you the lift but air shocks might do the trick. Or you might be able to get the springs re-arched if you can find someone to do them for you. What is your current height, and how much more are you looking for? Ron
Awesome, I was just looking into doing this for my 54. Can you provide a link to where you purchased them? Or maybe the product number? Do you have any photos of them Installed? I would love to see how it looks. Thanks George
Link for Whitney: http://www.jcwhitney.com/ Mine is a '56, I didn't check availability for other years. Mine are not installed yet.
I put mine in on that link but it doesnt show any for my car...I wonder if a 56 customline would work?
I bought mine from Amazon. Free shipping but takes a good 5 days or more. They were $56 for the Moog CC850's.
i got the jc whitney springs in mine. best price free shipping. i actualy received my springs in 3 days, which was before they actualy took the money from paypal. you nned to go ahead and order the rear shakle bushing kits they dont come with them. they come with front bushings installed. made in usa. i had no idea of where my cars original ride height was. right now its got a good rake to it with the aerostar fronts. im thinking about putting 2 inch lowering blocks in mine.
OK Guys,take a peek at the J.C.Whitney part number on those springs from the tag as it may be different from what is stamped on the spring and post it for those that need it, the phone people at J.C. are playing dumb and saying they don't carry them.
Yeah, Thats what I am getting from them also, The website also doesnt show any for my vehicle. I know I saw them before somewhere but cant remember where. I used the CC850 parts from Autozone so they werent MOOG like I wanted but they are the same size I guess. It lowered the front a pretty good bit but I really like the raked look anyways so The fronts are good now If i can find the rear springs at a good price I will go ahead and do them next. I'm going to replace the shackles too, I wonder if you can get aftermarket shackles like you can for 4 wheel drive trucks? I know they make alot of aftermarket shackles that are alot stronger for them.
The Ford parts book lists '54-'56 p***enger car rear 5 leaf springs are same - # B6A-5560-A (doesn't include S/D or S/W). I'd trust Ford to be correct, and ***ume JC Whitney didn't adequately research for multi-application. The Whitney springs I got are stamped 42-201 (supplier #, as stated by them in 'product details') but invoice shows a diffferent number (945328). Some specs are listed for the Whitney springs - look them up for a '56, then click on details for more info. BTW - I checked their website this a.m. - they are currently offering free shipping on orders over $59, thru Monday 27 June. But NOTE that there is a $3.99 'heavy item surcharge' each - still a pretty good bargain. I got Moog front coil springs, # CC850. $60 for the pair at the local Parts Plus they had them in stock. Ron
I ordered a set from Whitney about a month ago. They were placed on back order and I got an e-mail last week telling me that the expected shipment didn't arrive and it will be July 17th when the next order arrives. So, if you're in a hurry............
when i orderd mine there web catalog was lacking to say the least. and so i called hoping to get some help, there phone sales is even worse. the guy i talked to actualy told me that he was calling in himself for clarification. thats sad. when i installed mine i removed all the lables and just left the painted #s. looks like me and ron have the same spring though. they told me the surcharge for heavy but when i orderd online the free shipping knocked it off. i also used the moog cc850 about that price got them from oreillys here.
Curiosity got the best of me so I Googled the part # 42-201 to see what pops up,it takes you to a couple of sites including JC Whitney this is of interest however: http://thesuspensionking.com/catalog/tables/ford-sedan.php you will notice that the 52-54 leaf spring has seven leaves and is a different part number than the 55-56 which has 5 leaves (the 42-201 listing on other sites) yet both springs are the same length and width.
The Jalopy Journal
