Well, I finally got around to completing the granada dropped spindles and used the aerostar lower coil springs. I think I may have lowered it too much WOW did it drop (about 5 inches) and looks great, but my 15 inch wheels are REALLY tight in there now when you turn. they dont touch the fenders just sitting there, but less than an inch away, and I am sure they will if i hit a bump. Here is some pics, am I hosed here?? I really dont want to tear this thing back apart and put stock springs back in here. These pics dont show it all that well, but its tight. What now? I have a 347 stroker on the way, bought today, so I dont really want to go back stock wheels. I am sure I am not the only one who is this low in the front. Did I mention is sure looks freakin good though
I guess I don't see the problem... If the tire touches the fender a little bit, so what? Most of the time you can avoid the rub by not turning the wheels quite so far. I'd say just learn to live with it. That's the price you pay for having a really neat looking low car. Just my $.02
ok my 2... Mine was just like that, was fine with just me but with a rider i had to make 2 trys to turn sharp. Iwent to autozone and got some of those twist in jobbers and it raised it about an inch. Itll only cost you bout 4 bucks to try this.
My opinion, dumb question. A car can NEVER BE TOO LOW!! Just manhole covers that are to high! Looks good, learn to drive acordingly.......................
I have a similiar problem. The solution that was told to me? Don't turn so hard! Sure enough, it works!
When you put in the engine and trans it will drop more,if it's too much before you tear into it try using a coil spring rubber they look like a big rubber doughnut,I think they are still listed in Mr. Gasket and they are EZ to put in and cheap.
my daily sits lower than this. To give you an idea, when I pull the coil springs, I do not have to use a spring compressor, they go in by hand. I did have to roll the lip on the front fenders, and cut the bump stops. But it looks tough, and rides OK, not great, but OK. how dedicated are you to the look, that basically what you have to decide. My drop is all suspension, no spindles or bags.
Well I think it's been pretty well covered, but "never too low" pretty much nails it. However: If it won't go into your driveway, it's too low. if it won't go into the gas station driveway, find another gas station... learn to drive a low car. AND... bags are gay... always will be... don't care 'bout what argument you have to the contrary... blah blah blah.
Put it this way...I spent 1800. to have the apron redone, on my driveway, so I could get the Ford in and out. I have learned to make 2pt., sometimes 3pt. turn when parking. I also learned what gas station and parking lots, I can't go to. It all depends on how much you want to put up with, to get THE LOOK.
As 4-T said, roll the lip on the wheel opening if there is one before the tire catches it and bends it outwards. As long as the tire doesn't catch anything when rubbing, you have a new bump stop. A short turn radius is way over rated. Neal
as said before, roll the lip of the well #1 #2 install new turn radius stops on your steering so it will not hit. (stop the tires from coming too close when you turn the steering wheel as far as it will go before the tires hit) #3 estimate the weight of your engine and trans and pile some sand bags onto your cross member to see how the car sits. Do #3 first!
Drop some 14s on it and you'll be fine. My old Edsel was lower than that. You just learn to avoid tall stuff in the road and turn wide like a big truck. Sacrifices have to be made when you drive a custom.
Thanks for all the responses, i knew I could count on yall for re***urance. To answer a few of the questions.... Yes, it has a motor and trans in it right now. A SBC, which will soon be a SBF again. Do I like it? Does it look good? hell yeah I do. It looks perfect I can learn to live with it to have the "look". It wont be a daily driver anyway. Learn to swing wide? That was the only way this car knew as it was, so not a problem. I dont think I ever hit a tight parking spot on the 1st attempt. I will take a look at the spring additions mentioned. Wonder if that affects the ride any
Yeh, not feeling the wheels.... But I get used to a car pretty quick and how to drive it, if it's low I compensate. But it does **** if you can't get into a driveway or cross a speed bump.
I dont think there will be any problems with speed bumps straight on, I dont see it doing any rubbing on straight on bumps. It looks like the only problems would be a bump during a 3/4 or full turn. Only driving it will tell for sure, which I have to rebuild rear drums and install new brake lines and prop valve for disc upgrade, then I can test it.
Driveways are the biggest threat. Speed bumps where both tires rise and fall at the same time aren't a big deal. You will have to be ultra sensitive to entering and leaving a parking lot or a driveway. That is where you have clearance problems. You'll have to get used to slowly walking over elevation changes with the wheels turned a lot. You can learn to take a slightly different approach to enter a driveway head on as apposed to turning into the driveway normally. If you are thinking ahead and understand the risk, it's not that big a deal. Of course you can't always anticipate an evasive maneuver to avoid the idiots.
If you have a motor in it now an inch of clearance should be fine. I wouldn't worry that much about it until I had a chance to drive it. That is the only way to know for sure. As others have said you get used to making allowances for being low. It's one reason I'll never run an aluminum pan on the motor or trans. They'll break not bend
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