69' XL Getting the stance right

3925 Views 55 Replies 16 Participants Last post by cwazywazy, 4 mo ago

craving77494

Discussion Starter · 11 mo ago

2

When I was ordering parts for the project, I mistakenly orderered stock front springs for a car with A/C. I have since done an A/C delete and moved the battery to the trunk. This is causing the front end to ride way to high for my liking. I am considering two options, a complete set of Eaton springs or a full set of PMT Fabrication coil overs, but would like to get some feedback from the community.

Wheels & Tires
Now:
Rear 255/60/15 These rub the quarter lips so I have added air shocks. Likely due to incorrect backspacing, they are what came with the car.
Front 215/65/15

Planned:
Rear 275/45/20
Front 235/50/18

The Eaton springs I am looking at are +1.5 in the back and -2 in the front (without A/C) ~ $820 shipped.
The PMT coilovers are $886 before shipping.

Below is a pic of the front ride height without the hood and bumper installed. I know the springs will settle a little with time, but not the 6.5" i am currently seeing from the top of the wheel arch to the top of the tire.

Tire Wheel Car Automotive tire Vehicle

This is the stance I am shooting for.

Wheel Vehicle Tire Car Hood

Any advice on lowering springs vs. coilovers and tire backspacing would sure be appreciated so that I can achieve the overall stance I am looking for.

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craving77494

Discussion Starter · #41 · 10 mo ago

Touring919 said:
I believe I do. Send me a pm and I'll look around my mess of a shop for those nuts.

PM sent, really appreciate your time!!!

craving77494

Discussion Starter · #42 · 10 mo ago

2

Well....after much diliberation and after cutting the front springs, I decided to go with the full PMT Fabrication setup for the front end.

This means my full front/rear suspension is PMT:

Tubular control arms upper/lower
Front Coilovers (dual adjustable)
Strut Rods
Front/rear sway bars
Rear lower controls arms
Adjustable panhard bar
Rear springs
Rear shocks

Tool Bicycle part Red Automotive design Font

Bicycle part Automotive lighting Red Font Auto part

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Reactions: 4

craving77494

Discussion Starter · #43 · 10 mo ago (Edited)

Just ordered the new shoes for the Galaxie. Ridler 650 chrome wheels. I know that many are not a fan of newer style wheels on these older cars, but this fit the bill for the look I am going for.

Rear: 20x10 275/40/20 (5.5" backspace)
Front: 18x8 245/45/18 (4.5" backspace)

Silver Automotive tire Rim Rectangle Jewellery

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Reactions: 1

m in sc

· #44 · 10 mo ago

there you go. wow thats a nice suspension setup.

Reactions: 2

Trashboat

· #45 · 10 mo ago

APB HAWK said:
The old school way I used to lower my old cars was to heat the springs and let the cars weight collapse the springs. Just need to make sure you do it in small increments. A rosebud on a torch always worked the best. It's also a good idea to have a fire extinguisher nearby.

This is how we all did it and we never had a problem. Quick and easy and a lot less fancy

I think these old Fords appreciate it.

badhrsi

· #46 · 10 mo ago

craving77494 said:
Just ordered the new shoes for the Galaxie. Ridler 650 chrome wheels. I know that many are not a fan of newer style wheels on these older cars, but this fit the bill for the look I am going for.

Rear: 20x10 275/40/20 (5.5" backspace)
Front: 18x8 245/45/18 (4.5" backspace)

View attachment 172995

I love those wheels. While I like the vintage look and wheels also, I will be upgrading to big brakes and they just wont fit under a 14 or 15" wheel. Those wheels will look awesome! post pics when you get them on please

Reactions: 1

FoMoCo

· #47 · 10 mo ago

craving77494 said:
Well....after much diliberation and after cutting the front springs, I decided to go with the full PMT Fabrication setup for the front end.

Would love to see a picture heavy step by step of the PMT stuff install.

Reactions: 1

craving77494

Discussion Starter · #48 · 10 mo ago (Edited)

4

The new shoes have arrived from BigWheels.Net in Sunnyvale, CA.Top notch outfit and the owner Barry was very helpful in sizing the wheels/tires.

I will get pictures of them mounted on the car later today.

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Hubcap

Rear

Wheel Tire Automotive tire Locking hubs Motor vehicle

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Light Tread

Front

Wheel Tire Car Automotive tire Locking hubs

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craving77494

Discussion Starter · #49 · 10 mo ago

3

Absolute perfect fit and clearance. We will see where it ends up with the new PMT control arms, coilovers, rear springs and shocks.

Wheel Tire Car Vehicle Hood

Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive tire

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craving77494

Discussion Starter · #50 · 10 mo ago

I am back on the hunt for a set of these upper control arm nuts/plates. Touring919 was very nice and shipped me a pair, but the USPS has lost them in transit. As I mentioned to Tourin919, they can get me a $2 rubber spatula from Amazon, but these hard to find parts get lost......ughhhhh.

If anyone has a pair they are willing to part with, I am happy to pay a reasonable price for them.

Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Bicycle Bicycle handlebar Bicycle frame Bicycle part

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craving77494

Discussion Starter · #51 · 10 mo ago

craving77494 said:
I am back on the hunt for a set of these upper control arm nuts/plates. Touring919 was very nice and shipped me a pair, but the USPS has lost them in transit. As I mentioned to Tourin919, they can get me a $2 rubber spatula from Amazon, but these hard to find parts get lost......ughhhhh.

If anyone has a pair they are willing to part with, I am happy to pay a reasonable price for them.

Good news!!! After initiating a USPS lost mail search it looks like they found it, and it is going to be delivered today. WOO HOO!!!

Reactions: 1

Touring919

· #52 · 10 mo ago

Glad to hear! I included the bolts just in case there was a change in thread pitch over the years.

Reactions: 1

My Green Hornet

· #53 · 5 mo ago

Don't reinvent the wheel. Safe money and a truck load of time. Call PMT Fabrication direct. Super helpful people with a massive amount of experience. He will let you know spring height and compression rate based on a final stance or look you're going for. He can have them made to order as I recall. *Springs can cut off a hand or arm. Just do it once and move on to other areas of your Galaxie.

Cheers!

MatthewTyner

· #54 · 4 mo ago

You must be cautious when driving close to the fender lip. During suspension travel, the rear 3-link Panhard bar suspension sways from side to side. Ask me about the worn-out Goodyear L60 15s in white letters from the past that were stationery-perfect.

massacre

· #55 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

APB HAWK said:
It's not recommended to heat springs if you don't do it correctly. Most don't know how because it's an old school art that hasn't really been passed on how to do it correctly. The same can be said for certain old school tricks for getting a clean and smooth paint job that doesn't need to be cut and buffed. I have saved many hours because of the things these old time tradesmen taught me about body, paint, and frame work.
You don't lose the temper where you heat it if you quench with oil. It re-tempers the spring. The amount lowered can be mitigated with jacks. I did numerous spring loers with heat and quenching in the late 60s and early 70s. Never had one complaint about broken springs or sagging over time. One 57 Ford was still running the same lowered springs 20 years later. So I guess it's just a matter of opinion.

Just because it's old school doesn't mean it's correct.
How are you oil quenching coil springs while they are still on the car? I call BS

OP, car looks great with new suspension and wheels. Nice job!

Reactions: 1

cwazywazy

· #56 · 4 mo ago

Wouldn't it be better to chop the springs anyway, since then you get a slightly increased springrate?

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