PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: Smeed on January 28, 2008, 02:08:57 PM
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Do coilover springs exist for pintos? I was trying to find a way to give the rear of my car a little bit more posture without putting in new leafsprings.
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I know you are asking about the rear springs but speedway has a coil over kit for the front suspension for 74 +++
jim
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I'd like to do coilovers for the rear also.
High_Horse
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Hi, I had good luck with what I will call a poor man's version of the coil-overs. My local Pep Boys carried coil "helper" springs that clamped to the existing rear shock. They were very effective, adjustable, and cheap! I don't know if they still carry them or not. The disadvantage to them is that they put extra load on the upper shock mount as the shock is now carrying some of the weight of the car. I have also used rear air shocks which have the same issue with the top mount but if set up right, are adjustable on the fly. They tend to be $$$ especially if you get an auxiliary pump. As a final potential fix, I have added an "overload" leaf used in trailer towing to a couple of my cars. They are easy to add without taking the whole rear apart by clamping to the existing leafs. They can be effective at reducing wheel hop and diff twist if you put them forward of the diff housing. They work like perminant drag race "slapper bars" .71HANTO
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New springs are kind of 'pricey' and good used Pinto leafs are way to hard to find; what to do.......
You COULD do what I have done many times. Find a 'junk' pair of used leafs from another car (does not have to be a Pinto or even a Ford) from a bone yard and use them to 'custom build' a set with the ride height you want. A cheap pair with the same width and you can cut the leafs to what you need.
I used parts from a good pair of 68 Stang springs to build a pair for Connie's car. Both the main leafs were snapped on the orange car so I had to grab a couple out of the pile and go to work getting the right combo. It tends to be a little labor intesive, but worth the effort.
Bill's auto parts in Tolland has a BUNCH of leafs for like $30. each, and they do give discounts if you buy more than one.
One other thing. If you plan to do this, wire wheel the leafs and get some motorcycle chain lube; spray a LITTLE between the leafs and it will keep them from binding or rusting.
Bill
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My original plan was to take springs from another car and put the pinto ends on them.. Bill I think thats what you were describing, right? Ive got to replace one shock in the front so I thought it might be easier to do all 4 at once.
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My original plan was to take springs from another car and put the pinto ends on them.. Bill I think thats what you were describing, right? Ive got to replace one shock in the front so I thought it might be easier to do all 4 at once.
I am not so sure now, but yes??
I was only talking about the rears. The main leaf (the ones with the 'eyes') is critical, all the others can be swapped as needed. I would not use coil-overs or air shocks for various reasons. You COULD also remove the rubber assy. to give you a little elevation. NOTE: I have done this myself, but I have seen it done WRONG numerous times. IF not done correctly, you stand a good chance of having the rear 'walk' around (BAD). If you do almost ANYTHING to it, REMOVE ALL the rubber. The safe and easy way to do it without modifying the axle or the car is to cut the top off of the channel that the rubber and springs go into, and weld a plate inside of it that has a small hole for the spring pin. This will allow the rear to stay where it needs to.
I never did any modifying to the fronts are other than swap springs and change the geometry.
Bill
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I wasnt planning on putting coil overs onto the fronts, just to change the shocks. What I meant by using springs from another car is to find springs the same width, cut them to the same length as the pinto leafs and then weld the pinto ends on.
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I cant explain how bad of a idea this is... dont cut and weld your leaf springs please it just not safe.
you can take longer springs to a spring shop and have the ends cut off and new ones rolled, if they are equipped with a furnace.
Best of Luck
FrankBoss
www.PintoWorks .com
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X2!!
If your main leafs are OK, you can build up leafs to do what you need. If they are shot, then you need new main leafs.
Bill
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cut them to the same length as the pinto leafs and then weld the pinto ends on.
As FCANON said Don`t weld on the springs.. They are hardened and will brake if you weld on them..
I`m going to use a set of mopar 2800# super stock springs on mine, I`ll have to move the rear hanger 2" but I have the room to do that on my wagon.
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I know the main thrust of this thread has been rear suspension but has anybody made the coilover shock change to the front of their Pintos???? :lost:
jim
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if all you are looking for is lift in the rear, why not get a longer shackle?
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if all you are looking for is lift in the rear, why not get a longer shackle?
Handling?
Bill
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A longer shackle would screw up the handling? .... I dont know what a shackle is/does but if it messes with the handling I would rather stay away from that option.
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A longer shackle would screw up the handling? .... I dont know what a shackle is/does but if it messes with the handling I would rather stay away from that option.
They attach the rear end of the leaf to the car. The car is designed to have them a certain length. You COULD install longer ones to lift the rear of the car, but remember that the axle is located closer to the front spring mount, so every inch increase in shackle length, you will get less than half of that in lift. You would also be putting them a different angle and that will effect how they handle loads. Longer ones will also tend to flex more during lateral loads (roll steer).
Some people use longer shackles to compensate for worn springs BUT there is nothing that looks dumber than 10" shackles on a car that STILL sits too low in the rear!
Bill
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I drive an 85 chevy wagon...it has coils on the back. They loose the height after a while and make the car look like it's dragging it's butt. I hate that gangsta look. So I got some coilovers and it brought it up to that healthy looking height...and maybe just a hair more. Well now I am doing the Pinto rearend and I will be replacing the shocks and I sure would like to find a set of coilovers just at least to firm things up a bit...but not for height. Forget shackles...wha t they add back to the rear they give up in sideways sway. Plus they look bad. I think. If someone comes up with something ...post the number...if I find something I will post the number. I might even do the collar and spring with a more quality shock.
High_Horse
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quote author=High_Horse link=topic=8908.msg54401#msg54401 date=1202513601]
I drive an 85 chevy wagon...it has coils on the back. They loose the height after a while and make the car look like it's dragging it's butt. I hate that gangsta look. So I got some coilovers and it brought it up to that healthy looking height...and maybe just a hair more. Well now I am doing the Pinto rearend and I will be replacing the shocks and I sure would like to find a set of coilovers just at least to firm things up a bit...but not for height. Forget shackles...wha t they add back to the rear they give up in sideways sway. Plus they look bad. I think. If someone comes up with something ...post the number...if I find something I will post the number. I might even do the collar and spring with a more quality shock.
High_Horse
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how close is the aerostar rear end to what you are seeking. the 2 i had had coils insted of leaf springs.[
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es i know this is a really old thread but i orderd some for mine so heres the info ....... Monroe Sensa-Trac - Shock Part Number: 58539 they are at oriely's a stocking item application 1973 ford mustang 80$ or rockauto 55$ this is for wagons
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Thanks nut-- this will help folks.
Several feedback points for you....
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(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/apintonut/2012-08-21_21-24-53_8411.jpg)
they didnt fit but i will have some different ones tomorrow and post the info i think these may fit H/B
maybe these
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MON8/58551/03415.oap?year=1972&make=Chevrolet&model=Camaro&vi=1497882&ck=Search_C0077_1497882_3731&pt=C0077&ppt=C0035 (http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MON8/58551/03415.oap?year=1972&make=Chevrolet&model=Camaro&vi=1497882&ck=Search_C0077_1497882_3731&pt=C0077&ppt=C0035)
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ok got the other ones in they went right on 2.5 lift my springs were fairly good so u may see more if you have a saggy rear parts info Monroe Sensa-Trac - Shock Absorber
Part # 58551
or 1971-73 camaro
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If you are working on a wagon and want to find somthing on the cheap 86-94 subaru dl or loyale rear shocks and springs from junk yard or craigslist. They look like a coilover and look like they would work good