MoparHonda
Well-Known Member
What is the correct ride height for a '70 GTX with the 14 inch wheels? I suspect my car is too low in the back.
'70 GTX Ride Height?
- Thread starter MoparHonda
- Start date
Just replaced my leaf springs. They have now settled. Driver side is 23&7/8, passenger side is 24 exactly. Center of wheel, ground to quarter lip.
Before leaf springs both was 23&1/4.
Before leaf springs both was 23&1/4.
moparnation74
Well-Known Member
How bout a picture?......
MoparHonda
Well-Known Member
Thank you, BillCCM.
Just measured mine at the same point, I have 21 7/8 on one side and 21 3/4 on the other. I have the same wheels that you have. So looks like my car is about two inches lower in the rear than yours.
I have the Dana 60 rear, would that make a difference?
Does the factory manual have any specs as to the correct ride height?
Just measured mine at the same point, I have 21 7/8 on one side and 21 3/4 on the other. I have the same wheels that you have. So looks like my car is about two inches lower in the rear than yours.
I have the Dana 60 rear, would that make a difference?
Does the factory manual have any specs as to the correct ride height?
I searched around before I replaced the leafs and found only opinions on Ride height.
I replaced the leafs because my front bushings were cracked badly, the shackle bushings were in so so shape, and I had some squat.
I replaced the leafs because my front bushings were cracked badly, the shackle bushings were in so so shape, and I had some squat.
moparnation74
Well-Known Member
Do you guys have the same size tires and tread depth?
P235 60R14
moparnation74
Well-Known Member
Assuming he is running stock tire size you guys should be the same series.....Unless he went with a wider tire 50 series on the rear.....
A picture would be helpful as you did above....
MoparHonda
Well-Known Member
My tires are P205/70R14, which means my tires are 'taller' than Bill's, yet my rear is lower than his.
From looking at Bill's picture, his fender/quarter panel seems to be higher up on the tire than mine. My fender/quarter panel seems to cover the top 1/4 of the tire. Bill's seems to be about even with the top of the tire?
From looking at Bill's picture, his fender/quarter panel seems to be higher up on the tire than mine. My fender/quarter panel seems to cover the top 1/4 of the tire. Bill's seems to be about even with the top of the tire?
MoparHonda
Well-Known Member
I'll get you a picture tomorrow, the car is not at the location where I am.
Tires of the same size will be slightly different from brand to brand. So the only way that you would be able to compare apples to apples would be to have the same tire and wheel combination at the same PSI. As Justin stated, variables as tread depth can impact that measurement. Is there anything in the trunk for extra weight, is the gas tank full on each vehicle, are the shocks fully compressed? All of these are variables which impacts the ride height.
The difference in ride height between the Dana and 8.75 under a stock configuration is negligible. A reputable spring shop can tell you the correct amount of drop for the arch at the locating bolt that holds the leaves of the shock together. I had the numbers at one time, but that has been years ago and does involve some geometry to get things correct. These shops that build springs will have the factory data on hand to help you get an ideal on what the spring rate will yield with the factory configuration.
The difference in ride height between the Dana and 8.75 under a stock configuration is negligible. A reputable spring shop can tell you the correct amount of drop for the arch at the locating bolt that holds the leaves of the shock together. I had the numbers at one time, but that has been years ago and does involve some geometry to get things correct. These shops that build springs will have the factory data on hand to help you get an ideal on what the spring rate will yield with the factory configuration.
Well in the name of data accuracy, I've got almost a half tank of gas, no spare and a medium size tool box in the trunk, and have 36psi in the tires.
Before the leaf replacement my car's stance was a slight squat. Considering all original springs, bushings, etc and the price and ease of replacement it's the right thing to do .
Before the leaf replacement my car's stance was a slight squat. Considering all original springs, bushings, etc and the price and ease of replacement it's the right thing to do .
MoparHonda
Well-Known Member
Thank you, Bill, 69BFan, and MoparNation.
Sorry for my slow response, the holidays got in the way.
In the interest of accuracy, I have 5/8 tank of gas and a spare tire.
I've attached some photos, seems that my car is lower than Bill's. I suspect my car is too low and Bill's may be a little high?
Agreed, with Bill, replacing the springs is easy and relatively inexpensive. I've had springs for other cars re-arched by a local shop, now I hear it's best to buy new springs rather than re-arch old ones. I just don't want to go through this if my car is at or near the correct ride height.
I'm disappointed that there seems to be no set specs as to ride height...
Sorry for my slow response, the holidays got in the way.
In the interest of accuracy, I have 5/8 tank of gas and a spare tire.
I've attached some photos, seems that my car is lower than Bill's. I suspect my car is too low and Bill's may be a little high?
Agreed, with Bill, replacing the springs is easy and relatively inexpensive. I've had springs for other cars re-arched by a local shop, now I hear it's best to buy new springs rather than re-arch old ones. I just don't want to go through this if my car is at or near the correct ride height.
I'm disappointed that there seems to be no set specs as to ride height...
You probably are a little low.
I had leafs rebuilt in the 1990s on my other B body. Price back in the day was $160 including new bushings for both.
I called Arizona spring in Tucson and asked about getting these rebuilt. They were not certain they could find the correct bushing, and quoted me "about $300" for the pair.
I bought mopar xhd springs, New shackles, 4 kyb shocks, New u bolts, hardware and hangers for a few pennies under $500 including shipping.
Friend of mine from work helped. Job was done in 4 hours including a lunch break. One hour of that was cutting the old u bolts off.
I had leafs rebuilt in the 1990s on my other B body. Price back in the day was $160 including new bushings for both.
I called Arizona spring in Tucson and asked about getting these rebuilt. They were not certain they could find the correct bushing, and quoted me "about $300" for the pair.
I bought mopar xhd springs, New shackles, 4 kyb shocks, New u bolts, hardware and hangers for a few pennies under $500 including shipping.
Friend of mine from work helped. Job was done in 4 hours including a lunch break. One hour of that was cutting the old u bolts off.
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