Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: Dan B. on June 11, 2012, 06:28:39 PM

Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Dan B. on June 11, 2012, 06:28:39 PM
Been running the 'bird for about a week now and am satisfied with everything....power, ride, handling, etc.  But now I'm not sure I want to lower it.  I've heard horror stories about the ride quality of lowered cars.  Now not everything I have heard was bad but I'm really liking what I have now.....but for looks, a 1.5" drop would be good.

At this point I'm content to get the A/C fixed and a set of 17" wheels and wider rear tires.

So,how about some input from guysrunning lowered cars.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: vinnietbird on June 11, 2012, 06:51:22 PM
I put SN-95 Mustang springs on mine, then got a front end alignment. The car still has a great ride (almost like stock), but is about 1.5 inches lower all around. It's not a stiff ride at all.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: vinnietbird on June 11, 2012, 06:52:43 PM
Before................

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/DSCF0576.jpg)



After..........She was dirty, but you get the point........

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/166_1278.jpg)
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Dan B. on June 11, 2012, 07:14:28 PM
Are the '98 mustang's an SN-95?  That's the springs I have for mine.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: vinnietbird on June 11, 2012, 07:20:09 PM
Yes they are. My springs came from a '99 V-6 car. They are great.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Beau on June 11, 2012, 08:11:12 PM
I've got '97 springs in mine, love them. It's dropped around an inch, and the ride is firm, but not harsh. I think during this coming winter I'm going to pull everything off for blasting and a repaint, and possibly make the swap to a tube k and CHE adjustable lowers.
 
On the other hand, I need to plan my 306 build...that's probably where my money will go for awhile.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: vinnietbird on June 11, 2012, 08:21:06 PM
Beau, you're going to keep buying parts, and never be able to enjoy the car.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Beau on June 11, 2012, 09:14:17 PM
It's a major thorn in my side. lol
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Chrome on June 11, 2012, 11:11:13 PM
I don't like to lower my cars, but Vinnie sure needed it.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: vinnietbird on June 11, 2012, 11:49:22 PM
Yep, she sat pretty high.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Kitz Kat on June 12, 2012, 06:50:24 AM
Quote from: vinnietbird;392082
Yep, she sat pretty high.

Did you have a jack under that,that was high.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: vinnietbird on June 12, 2012, 06:52:19 AM
Nope, that was everyday driving on the stock springs. I actually never paid any attention until somebody hear asked about the 4x4 look.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Dan B. on June 17, 2012, 07:46:01 PM
Rear springs in............the drop using 1998 Cobra springs is EXACTLY 1.5".  Going to tear into the fronts later this evening...hope to get one side done.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Beau on June 17, 2012, 08:13:49 PM
Nice! pics, if you don't mind..? :)
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Dan B. on June 17, 2012, 11:03:55 PM
No pics yet.  Went out to the garage earlier to close it up, got sidetracked and ended up putting in the front springs.  Netted 3/4" drop in the front.  It had a slight rake to the factory stance so it's pretty well level now.  But I need to tighten up the front CA's and sway bar before I move it outside for a complete evaluation.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Beau on June 17, 2012, 11:04:55 PM
Nice!
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Dan B. on June 18, 2012, 07:08:27 PM
Went to take some pics and the camera is dead!!!  Argh!

Anyhooo....took some measurements.  Using a straight edge along the bottom edge door trim and extended across the tire, the settle height on the driver side has the rear exactly 1/8" higher.  On the passenger side, the front measures 3/8" higher.  Hhmmm.  Need to check the springs on the perches to make sure they are all seated properly.

Took it for a ride nad have to say I like it.  Handled nice, rides nicer.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Haystack on June 19, 2012, 02:40:18 AM
Its common for fox bodies to sit pretty funny, even when there not wrecked. Mustang guys are always complaining about the 1/4" differance.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Dan B. on June 19, 2012, 01:42:34 PM
Here's some pics.  It's at the alignment shop now.

Before...

(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/thunderbird/websize/100_5980.JPG)

After...

(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/thunderbird/websize/100_5987.JPG)

(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/thunderbird/websize/100_5988.JPG)

(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/thunderbird/websize/100_5990.JPG)

(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/thunderbird/websize/100_5991.JPG)

(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/thunderbird/websize/100_5992.JPG)

And yes, that is a rooster's posterior behind the car in the last pic.

(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/thunderbird/websize/100_5993.JPG)
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: 50tbrd88 on June 20, 2012, 09:33:09 AM
Looks a lot better!
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Beau on June 20, 2012, 01:48:46 PM
X2!
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Dan B. on June 21, 2012, 06:30:04 PM
Here it is setting over my 26x10.5-15 MT ET Streets.  Was going to hit the track tonight but it's too friggin' hot.

(http://photos.imageevent.com/17encore/danb/thunderbird/websize/ET%20Street%20T-bird.jpg)
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Sinista Chicken on June 21, 2012, 09:51:17 PM
That looks mean as hell!
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Dan B. on June 21, 2012, 10:11:15 PM
Almost bought a set of staggered 3.5" front and 8" rears.  The price was right but that's not the look I'm going for....would like 7" fronts and 10" rears.  Need to get those ugly white turbines painted black or just stripped back to natural aluminum and cleared.
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Trinom on September 16, 2012, 08:13:35 AM
I'm thinking of doing this spring swap, but I'd like to know, how it behaves with four people inside and full trunk of stuff. Is it stil usable?
Title: Lowering and ride quality...PICS ADDED 6/19/12
Post by: Dan B. on September 16, 2012, 09:37:22 AM
It's fine with 225/60 rear tires on 7" wheels.  I'm now running 245/60 rears on 7" wheels and having some rubbing issues even after tpuppies the fender well lip to the middle of the spot welds.  May stick the stock springs back in.