Topic: coil over shocks

[just old]

has any one used coil over shocks from sprint car or race car type there is a flea market were they can be had cheap ? or cheaper

[hotwheels]

Yup, we have some on the 31 build. Used em on the rear end........Work nice, but had to order different springs for weight.

[just old]

what spring rate are you using

[miraclepieco]

I use the coilover springs from sprint cars and add them to my own shocks. Racers replace springs frequently and you can get them inexpensively on Ebay - any rate or length. Plus they have the advantage of being actually tested on a machine to determine true spring rate. On the rear of my '34 pickup (2100 lbs) I tried everything from 150-175 lbs. in an attempt to balance ride height and handling. Settled on 170 lb - stiff but handled great. I still have a bunch of used springs laying around from all my trial and error (see pic).

[just old]

that is great one of the flea markets is this sunday so now I have a starting point . I am still thinking about switching the front to coil overs also . is that a good - or - bad idea

thanks for the info

[hotwheels]

You can run coils on the front too if you want. The rear spring ratings were 185#. If i were putting some of the front, i would use 500# minimums, that way you have plenty of support for the motor, radiator, etc....

[just old]

well after going to the flea market for the shocks and some other piece I found . I ended up with 4 pro shocks that are in good shape #5 for the front with 400 pd. springs  and #6 for the rear with 180 pd. springs for the rear . the #6 shock are pretty stiff , maybe to still . I took all the lef spring stuff off the front and mounted the shocks and so far seem ok . I am not sure that I like the brackets that I made yet they work and are adjustable but I may have to rethink them . I will send pic to get other thought on them 

[hotwheels]

Right on man, that is awesome.......

[just old]

I find myself putting thing togather then sitting back and looking at it and then changing it in some way . I am glad there are not a lot of rules to follow like in some builds . I am finding rat rod can be very interesting to build because you only have to build what fells right to you .

[miraclepieco]

I am glad there are not a lot of rules to follow like in some builds . I am finding rat rod can be very interesting to build because you only have to build what fells right to you .

Exactly right! So-called "traditional" hot rods and resto-rods are very prescribed - very little creativity. Rat rods are liberating, creative and fun!

[Rubberhead]

I am glad there are not a lot of rules to follow like in some builds . I am finding rat rod can be very interesting to build because you only have to build what fells right to you .

Exactly right! So-called "traditional" hot rods and resto-rods are very prescribed - very little creativity. Rat rods are liberating, creative and fun!

Absolutely! That's why, after selling my muscle car, I decided to get back into the hobby when I discovered rat rods. I found the fact that things didn't have to be done this way or that way absolutely liberating and it drew me in like a moth to a flame. I suspect that that's what draws many other people in as well. Let the creativity flow...

[dcacjc]

[/quote]

Absolutely! That's why, after selling my muscle car, I decided to get back into the hobby when I discovered rat rods. I found the fact that things didn't have to be done this way or that way absolutely liberating and it drew me in like a moth to a flame. I suspect that that's what draws many other people in as well. Let the creativity flow...
[/quote]

I could not agree more, this is so much more fun than when i was building Chevelles!!

[Rubberhead]

It was Road Runners for me, but yeah, much more fun indeed!