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Author Topic: lowering the rear  (Read 2557 times)

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Offline pintob

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lowering the rear
« on: July 24, 2022, 05:59:33 PM »
how can I lower the rear of my 74 it apparently won't take standard lowering blocks.

Offline TIGGER

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2022, 06:35:12 PM »
Havent logged in here in a while so sorry for the late response.  Back in the day, Racer walsh made an aluminum lowering block that had the oval to match the spring perch oval.  If you can find a set that would be the easiest thing to use.  I have read some people using normal lowering blocks with the rubber isolator but I am not sure how safe that would be.  Last option is to weld "normal" spring perches on and be done with it.
79 4cyl Wagon
73 Turbo HB
78 Cruising Wagon (sold 8/6/11)

Offline one2.34me

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2022, 12:55:35 PM »
 TIGGER is right, Racer Walsh still lists lowering blocks for your Pinto.

https://racerwalsh.com/product-category/suspension/pinto-74-80/rear-lowering-kit-pinto-74-80/

Offline Wittsend

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2022, 02:22:27 PM »
And if $90 plus shipping seems like a lot you could probably take a standard block and a section of bar. Cut the total bar length to the largest section of the oval, file the corners round and then bolt the piece to the bar using two tapered flat head hex bolts. The Walsh block machines the oval into the block where as someone without a mill can fabricate and add the oval with a saw, file, drill and tap.

Given the lack of precision needed one could probably make a jig, take a wood router with an (old) straight plunge bit and do what Walsh does depending on the caliber of the aluminum. Everything is time (and tools) vs money. I have more of the former than the latter. Maybe for others it is the other way around.

Offline TIGGER

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2022, 03:36:50 PM »
Good to know they are available still if needed. 
79 4cyl Wagon
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78 Cruising Wagon (sold 8/6/11)

Offline 65ShelbyClone

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2022, 12:41:58 PM »
The harder part is finding longer 2.375" u-bolts. I had to have some made to order.
RW says the stock bolts can be used, but that may be only if the rubber isolators are removed. I have two sets of stock bolts from '72 and '77 and there's perhaps 1/2" of extra thread with all the stock parts assembled.
'72 Runabout - 2.3T, T5, MegaSquirt-II, 8", 5-lugs, big brakes.
'68 Mustang - Built roller 302, Toploader, 9", etc.

Offline TIGGER

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #6 on: January 31, 2023, 12:03:19 AM »
The first time I lowered a Pinto using the racer walsh blocks was on my dad's 79 wagon.  I had u-bolts made.  They were not cheap.  Shortly after, I was at my local trailer parts supply store ordering some parts for my tent trailer.  While waiting for the sales dude to be available I browsed thru some of the isles.  There was an isle that had an abundance of U-bolts that were a fraction of what I paid for the ones I had made.  They had all kinds of lengths, bolt diameters, spacings etc.  The next few cars I lowered, the u-bolts came from there.
79 4cyl Wagon
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Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #7 on: January 31, 2023, 01:43:35 PM »
Heres a link to new rubber spring insulator pads for both early and late model pinto and mii rear springs..

https://www.generalspringkc.com/ford-granada-mercury-monarch-mustang-ii-leaf-spring-axle-insulator-pad/

The mii and late model pintos use the oval hole mounts, the early models use round.

For 8" conversion to early pintos you need oval hole top and round hole bottoms.

If you call them and explain what you are doing they can provide part numbers you need to order
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles

Offline JoeBob

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2023, 12:47:49 AM »
I am a know nothing I'll admit. Please tell me the purpose of lowering the back. I had heck of a time finding new springs to return my car to proper height.Bill
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Offline one2.34me

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2023, 12:33:19 PM »
I think most owners lower their cars for appearance reasons. Also, the car will handle a little better when lowered front and rear. Just my opinion.

Offline JoeBob

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2023, 02:00:19 AM »
You are right. My 72 handed better and it was lower.
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Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2023, 02:27:26 PM »
What about tire  clearance..

Doest lowering reduce  clearance with larger wheels
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles

Offline one2.34me

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #12 on: February 03, 2023, 04:43:41 PM »
From my own experience, just lowering the car with stock wheels and tires won't cause a clearance issue.
 
Without considering, (understanding) backspacing, I bought a set of 195/55-15 BFG Sport Comp 2 tires (approximately the same diameter as the stock 13" tires) and four 10-hole fox body Mustang wheels which have 5" backspacing. When the wheels and tires were installed and the car, a '75 Runabout, was lowered, the upper a-frames dug into the front wheels and locked the car down solid. The back tires cleared the inboard wheel well structure by approximately a half inch. There was a lot of outer tire clearance front and rear.
 
I ended up having to trim the upper A-frames fore and aft of the ball joints and add a small wheel spacer (1/4" or 5/16", I can't remember now) to clear the 10-hole fox body wheels of the upper A-frames.

Knowing what I now know, I'd definitely double check backspacing if I planned to go with wider wheels and tires.

Offline TIGGER

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2023, 12:56:59 AM »
Both my Pinto's are lowered front and back.  My dads wagon has OEM slots and there are no rubbing or clearance issues.  My 73 is lower than the wagon and it has 15" centerlines that fill the wheel wells up nicely.  The only thing that rubs is the driveshaft on the ebrake cable.  It has what I believe is a 4" diameter aluminum DS in it.  I think a stock ds would not rub.  Its kind of annoying to be honest.  The 73 is still a project that I hope to get to some day. 
79 4cyl Wagon
73 Turbo HB
78 Cruising Wagon (sold 8/6/11)

Offline TIGGER

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Re: lowering the rear
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2023, 01:00:59 AM »
Old pic of the wagon but it has not changed much since it was taken.
79 4cyl Wagon
73 Turbo HB
78 Cruising Wagon (sold 8/6/11)