Nigel Bailey Posted May 22, 2024 Report Posted May 22, 2024 Ok, so I have read the numerous and very helpful and informative discussions in the archive on this topic, but trying to get a definitive answer to a specific question. I've just got my 1948 Dodge D25 registered and back on the road here in Australia-standard motor, brakes, suspension, 6.70 x 15 cross plies etc. All of the aforementioned either reconditioned or in good condition except (probably) the springs, which appear to be original. My plan is replace the front coils with either the standard item from Andy Bernbaum, or the Moog CC850, and then get a local specialist here in Oz to re-temper/replace the rear leaves to match for a level ride height. The aim is to achieve whatever a 'standard' ride height would have been when the car was new; I realise that my car is probably not at this now, and the rear leaves in particular look to have sagged slightly. So my question is: Will the Moog coils (which are a lot cheaper, and variable rate to boot) have the car riding lower, the same, or higher at the front than fitting 'original' coils from Andy B? The one thing I definitely do not want is a lower ride height. I get that the Moog free height is shorter than an original coil, but perhaps the variable rate means the installed height is similar? With the exchange rate the way it is, and the cost of shipping to Australia, I don't really want to experiment with different coils. Any advice would be greatly appreciated-my gut feeling is to go with the originals unless I could confirm for sure that the CC850's would slot right in without a loss in ride height. Sorry for the long-winded explanation-thanks! Nigel Quote
P9er Posted May 22, 2024 Report Posted May 22, 2024 I've put the cc850s on three different cars. They "lifted" the front end up quite a bit when compared to the original and probably worn out coils. To me it looks like they put the car right back at stock height from the factory. You won't believe the ride and cornering difference they make! 1 Quote
Sniper Posted May 22, 2024 Report Posted May 22, 2024 Out them n my P23, raised the front end up quite a bit over the 70+ year old originals. I have no idea what it is compared to the stock original ride height. . Handling was improved quite a bit, again compared to 70+ year old original springs. I also put in performance gas charged shocks. Yes the Moog springs are shorter, unloaded. Loaded, they sit higher due to the increase in spring rate over the originals. 1 Quote
andyd Posted May 23, 2024 Report Posted May 23, 2024 Nigel.........this is probably useless info but I have mid 50's Oz Ford 4dr Customline coil springs in the front of my 1940 Dodge, obtained them from a mate who had a few spare sets.....this was 35 yrs ago, they are slightly thicker than the original 1940 springs ......I also cut one coil from them.........considering that the car has a heavier 318 V8, etc it rides o/k and yet sits a little lower........andyd 1 Quote
Nigel Bailey Posted May 23, 2024 Author Report Posted May 23, 2024 On 5/22/2024 at 6:54 PM, P9er said: I've put the cc850s on three different cars. They "lifted" the front end up quite a bit when compared to the original and probably worn out coils. To me it looks like they put the car right back at stock height from the factory. You won't believe the ride and cornering difference they make! Expand Thanks-very helpful! Quote
Nigel Bailey Posted May 23, 2024 Author Report Posted May 23, 2024 On 5/22/2024 at 11:20 PM, Sniper said: Out them n my P23, raised the front end up quite a bit over the 70+ year old originals. I have no idea what it is compared to the stock original ride height. . Handling was improved quite a bit, again compared to 70+ year old original springs. I also put in performance gas charged shocks. Yes the Moog springs are shorter, unloaded. Loaded, they sit higher due to the increase in spring rate over the originals. Expand Thanks Sniper-this has been really helpful. Looks like I might be going down the Aerostar route after all... Quote
Nigel Bailey Posted May 23, 2024 Author Report Posted May 23, 2024 On 5/23/2024 at 12:03 AM, andyd said: Nigel.........this is probably useless info but I have mid 50's Oz Ford 4dr Customline coil springs in the front of my 1940 Dodge, obtained them from a mate who had a few spare sets.....this was 35 yrs ago, they are slightly thicker than the original 1940 springs ......I also cut one coil from them.........considering that the car has a heavier 318 V8, etc it rides o/k and yet sits a little lower........andyd Expand Thanks Andy-hope you are going well down in Grafton! I reckon there'd be a fair bit of weight in those old flatheads too! Quote
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