Ride height question

[Iowa409]

So on to better topics.......
I redone everything on my 64 Impala during my build, meaning all new suspension, ball joints, body mounts EVERYTHING new.
I wanted the look of a slanted muscle car when finished. So stock everything was used, original spindles, went to 15" wheels.

I did convert my springs to 409 springs in the front and rear, the ass end sits nice and the front end is just a little higher than I would like.

The car is all but done and, the only question I do not know the answer to so far is the front new shocks, I notices they are installed but the nut has never been tightened up on them, meaning you can clearly see the nut at the top of the threads, with plenty of room to tighten them.

(1) do you tighten them nuts to the point they will not turn anymore, and will that pull the front end down a bit?

or is there a preload or a set point where you stop? I guess I am not sure of the procedure, I know they will need to be tightened.


(2) These are brand new 409 rated springs, I was told to use them for the additional weight of the motor from the original 327 motor. So I have heard guys talk of cutting them down, but I do not really want to do that, so is there other adjustment options to lower the front end, to give it the slant style look I am after?

 

[Iowa409]

I should mention every piece is brand new including 4 brand new shocks , all suspension front/rear new.

 

[DonSSDD]

New front springs will settle about an inch after a short while.

 

[Iowa409]

Keep in mind, this car has had no drive time or even went down the road yet, been in the garage since the build, so that makes sense thank you.

 

[1964SuperStocker]

Keep in mind, this car has had no drive time or even went down the road yet, been in the garage since the build, so that makes sense thank you.

Don is right. But you could "Dukes of Hazzard" it a few times and you will be good. LOL!

 

[Iowa409]

No Dukes or Bo or Luke stuff for me lol, I am going to slow it down for a while lol

 

[Iowa409]

So I do not know if anyone said yet, but do I tighten them down to STOP on the front shocks?

 

[nana1962409]

Here is some instructions I found. http://www.monroe.com/downloads/servicegrams/monroe-ride-control-servicegram-vol1-no3-english.pdf

 

[pvs409]

Factory style front shocks are tightened to so there are no remaining threads to tighten against the metal upper shock mount under the frame. what brand and type of shocks do you have? My 62 front shocks do not have rubber cushions

 

[Junky]

Took this from the 1961 Chevrolet shop manual. The front shocks on a X frame car are like non other. There is no rubber gromet at the top of the A arm, like there is on most other cars. I took a photograph of the instructions for you. If you are using gas shocks, then they will tend to lift the front end more so than the old fluid filled shocks. A fluid filled shock will give you a better ride than the gas filled shocks, in my opinion.

 

[63 dream'n]

 

[La Hot Rods]

If you tighten the control arm bushings when the suspension is in full drop position it can make front end set up. Loosen bolts in the end of the shafts and take the car around the block to get the bushings to take a set then tighten them up.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

I've seen that video before. It can be misleading to someone that does not know what the original shock looks like and how it functions. He should have explained that the modification would be made on order to use a non original/upgraded shock absorber. Just my two cents.

 

[our1962]

post some pictures of that 409 hot rod I did the same with the red 62 my avatar, the rear raised and the front end dropped some.

mine were Monroe tighten all the way down there was probably a inch of thread above the nut.

 

[Iowa409]

post some pictures of that 409 hot rod I did the same with the red 62 my avatar, the rear raised and the front end dropped some.

mine were Monroe tighten all the way down there was probably a inch of thread above the nut.

I thought I had posted some but I will get some up, thank you.

 

[our1962]

This photo is actually for Dean's 61 too see my shock thread at 1 inch and not hitting anything and just fine with the 1 inch.