PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Shiny is Good! => Your Project => Topic started by: boughtabobcat on June 02, 2014, 04:58:56 PM
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Well, I've posted a few things about my 1978 Bobcat wagon (a.k.a. the Dragon Wagon), so I thought I'd give everyone a chance to see it in the semi-"before" state. I obviously have a lot of work to do on the body to get it in shape, but I'm looking forward to getting to it this summer! The only noticeable things I've really done to it other than some small engine work is to add LED lights in place of the regular interior lights- white LEDs for the dome light and hatch light, and red for the cigar lighter/glovebox light. I also added some white LED foglights I fabricated myself, and some more red LEDs around the rear interior- gives it the look of dragon's eyes at night...Lol! But here's what she looks like!
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A few more pics...
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A couple of better ones, and when I first towed her home...
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Nice ride.. 8)
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Hopefully she'll be a lot nicer by the end of the summer! ;)
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Hopefully she'll be a lot nicer by the end of the summer! ;)
Have fun with your project and be sure to keep us updated as you progress along!
Dwayne :)
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LOOKS LIKE YOU NEED SOME REAR SHOCKS!!
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Yeah bbobcat75, I need shocks all around, and the drivers side leaf spring has a broken leaf, that'll be my next big $$ project when the funds come around, but luckily I've been able to track down a set of NOS rear shocks for only $40, and rear leaf springs for $99 apiece- I figure with the shackles and bolts and all probably around $300 to keep my butt from draggin! Lol! maybe for now I should call her the Draggin Wagon.... ;)
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Shocks going in tomorrow! Yay! Will post pics of the difference!
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I used air shocks to level mine.
Looks great and a nice project!
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I have a set of used rear springs, pay shipping you can have them!!!
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Nice looking Bobcat wagon! Looks like a good save. Looks kind of evil with the red glow at night. I likey!!
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Well, got the rear shocks in - not a lot of difference in how low it sets- when I was under there, I noticed just how badly I need to upgrade the leaf springs- Yikes! but there is one heck of a difference in the ride, so I'm happy with that! :) And I'm finally back to work, so in two weeks, new leafys will be ordered! Including some before and after pics- tried to take them from the same perspective for a comparison.... the sunnier pics are the befores
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Btw, she's my daily driver, so forgive some of the incessant questions in the general help section! ;) A couple for you, R4!
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I have a set of used rear springs, pay shipping you can have them!!!
this will help you low rider issue! on the cheap!!
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Another pair of springs will get it back to ride height. The design of the rear axle pads has taken it's toll on nearly all Pinto leafs out there.
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So I guess new springs it is! ;)
Yeah, don't be shocked if both sides main leaves are broken in half at the locator pin. The rear half probably already slid back allowing the shackle to fold under. Along with leaves you will need 4 rubber isolators that are available through Mustang II restoration sources. They aren't cheap, about $40 shipped & new U-bolts. Don't reuse crusty originals. The new springs usually come with new front bushings but you will need to buy rears. If your shackles are crusty it's probably cheaper to get new ones which come with bushings for $20-35 per side.
http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy01.asp?T1=1624+01&Category=Suspension+%26+Steering&subCategory=Leaf+Springs&CatKey=74-01 (http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy01.asp?T1=1624+01&Category=Suspension+%26+Steering&subCategory=Leaf+Springs&CatKey=74-01)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leaf-Spring-Shackle-Rear-ACDELCO-PRO-45G13017-/221440171581?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3APinto&hash=item338edcde3d&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leaf-Spring-Shackle-Rear-ACDELCO-PRO-45G13017-/221440171581?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3APinto&hash=item338edcde3d&vxp=mtr)
You may also need new bolts for the front due to corrosion. I became well versed on this headache since both my wagon & 80 hatch need springs & all hardware. The spring isolators can be eliminated by welding new spring perches to the axle but you will have to find lower spring plates to replace the stock type which the shock attaches to.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rugged-18267-03-Leaf-Spring-Perch-For-2-5-Wide-Leaf-Springs-w-3-Axle-Tubes-/181447045432?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a3f163138&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rugged-18267-03-Leaf-Spring-Perch-For-2-5-Wide-Leaf-Springs-w-3-Axle-Tubes-/181447045432?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a3f163138&vxp=mtr)
Those perches are just an example & you need to source the right size for your axle.
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It never ends my friend.. ;D
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Just in case anyone missed it through the thread, shocks have absolutely NO effect on ride height whatsoever unless they are loadbearing shocks like airshock or load levelers (with add-on springs). Shocks only sense movement to work and cannot raise car by themselves AT ALL. I saw that misconception all the time at the parts store, wrong ideas die so hard.......... ............
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Actually... in my case the combination of broken leaf springs and collapsed shocks in the rear had it riding terribly low in the back, and being out of work at the time all I could afford to do was the less expensive rear shocks first (about $45 for the pair), and it DID raise the rear 3 inches, but the difference after replacing the leaf springs was AMAZING - I'd have to say the leaf springs did the trick! Its now a full ten inches higher in the rear, and now that the front shocks have been done as well, it sits level and rides like a different car! Pics to follow... ;)
This is interesting, how did the shocks raise the car???, did you put air shocks on???..
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This is interesting, how did the shocks raise the car???, did you put air shocks on???..
If I were a betting man.....I'd say : gas shocks.
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If I were a betting man.....I'd say : gas shocks.
Still just a shock absorber though???..
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Looks a lot better! I can only imagine how much the ride and handling improved!
Dwayne :)
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Gas shocks alone will not raise the ride height. That leaves 2 possibilities, either the old shocks were rusted solid keeping the rear pulled down or when you raised it to do the shocks the broken main leaves slid back together & the shackles unfolded. If the latter is the case the springs will slide apart & the shackles will fold after some driving. If the former you should be good to go.
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Gotta be like a new car now..