Fury Man Van
Well-Known Member
I'll solve your problem sell me the car and I can put my 4spd convertible together
Looking to raise front end
- Thread starter Rosco
- Start date
Rosco
Active Member
Just curious, what exactly is the effect from the driver's seat of tightening the torsion bar adjuster? Again, don't know nothing about suspension, starting from scratch here.
The car will gain or loose ride height. You are in no way able to change the spring rate with a bolt.
As to the tire size, your car most likely had bias ply tires factory and you are now running radials. The sizes as printed do not interchange. So if your having issues with bottoming out you might have too short of a tire on there.
If you have worn out suspension parts, well that can cause all sorts of problems, including slamming over bumps/dips.
Fury Man Van
Well-Known Member
hard to tell from your picture but the height looks about normal. Inspect the front-end parts for wear, replace what needs to be, Then adjust accordingly
Fury Man Van
Well-Known Member
Have you checked out all of your rubber stoppers?
Rosco
Active Member
Got a chance to watch the video posted by Rubberduck. WE GOT OURSELVES A CONVOY HERE!!!!!! Love it!
Anyways, that guy is claiming like 7-8 inches height. I will do this. AND, let me take a look at all the suspension parts. For sure those things need attention- my car has been down in Baja bouncing over washboard for the last 20 years. I'm sure the suspension is shot.
I do love the ride though. Probably the single most important characteristic to me about driving that thing. It floats like a fricking butterfly. I have zero interest in handling ability (cornering). It's a cruiser. A La Bamba mobile. All the locals call it "La Panga".
So, don't want to "improve" the ride, just want the clearance. Maybe the new suspension parts and torsion bar adjust will get me there.
So what is the point of the torsion bar adjustment if it doesn't affect ride? Just to change the looks-front end height?
Anyways, that guy is claiming like 7-8 inches height. I will do this. AND, let me take a look at all the suspension parts. For sure those things need attention- my car has been down in Baja bouncing over washboard for the last 20 years. I'm sure the suspension is shot.
I do love the ride though. Probably the single most important characteristic to me about driving that thing. It floats like a fricking butterfly. I have zero interest in handling ability (cornering). It's a cruiser. A La Bamba mobile. All the locals call it "La Panga".
So, don't want to "improve" the ride, just want the clearance. Maybe the new suspension parts and torsion bar adjust will get me there.
So what is the point of the torsion bar adjustment if it doesn't affect ride? Just to change the looks-front end height?
polara71
Old Man with a Hat
First of all, we have a four door with the roof cut off. Has the car been reinforced in any way?
Second, this car and others like it have been rolling around for 50 plus years over the bumps you describe. If it's bottoming out, A you are going to fast or B parts are worn.
Third , The torsion bars are there as an adjustment for level in ride height, not to raise the car 3 inches.
Fourth, the suspension has likely never been replaced. Replace all suspension parts including rear springs and shocks.
If it's still bottoming out, slow down. If that's not good enough, bag the whole car or stick a four wheel drive frame under it.
Adjustment.
Primarily height adjustment but also leveling side-to-side and front-to-back.
Rosco
Active Member
Haa! I won't go that far. You're right- suspension has never been done. I was told (mostly by my dad) that if I cut the roof off the first dip I hit and the car's gonna bend in half. It's actually just fine. No bendy. I don't think I need any reinforcement. Proof is in the car. I've driven the **** out of it and it hasn't changed. The door reveals are even, the frame still looks straight.
I'll check and replace worn parts.
Rosco
Active Member
Well that's fantastic that that adjustment nut is there. I'll play around with it and hopefully won't have to pursue other options.
I'll be damned it is a 4 door with it's roof cut off! Do all the doors open and close ok?
I thought the height was within reason too. Are those 14 inch wheels>?
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
FYI..... Raise the car with a jack before attempting to raise the torsion bar jack screws. It took 3 complete turns on each to raise my 67 Polara 1"
But..... It seems you have several other issues to consider before worrying about ride height.
But..... It seems you have several other issues to consider before worrying about ride height.
Rosco
Active Member
the doors all work. Although we mostly dukes of hazzard the rear seat and only use the front doors. I do have 14 inch wheels. Might be my suspension is so worn and tired that having the extra bodies in the car pushes it down too much for the speed bumps. It's never a problem with just the driver.
Rosco
Active Member
When you say raise the car- you mean get the weight off the front wheels, correct? I still only use the bumper jack for the front end.
a few years back i replaced the whole front end on my fury---decided to let the alignment shop adjust the torsion bars----it looked ok but drove really wierd----kind of like a tricycle----took it my friends place and we layed on the floor to look at it----the whole car was being held up by one torsion bar-----the other side was loose----we spent an hour or so laying on our bellies adjusting it till both sides were correct-------couldnt believe the alignment shop could be so stupid----read the mopar instructions on adjusting your bars----put on a set of 235 70 15----good to go-------jacking up the car makes it easier to turn the bolt---but then you have to get the car off the jack and measure according to the manual------we left the car on the ground while adjusting---it is harder-----but the jack routine will be torture too.....especially a bumper jack...
We should have a LOL button
Door gaps are not even. Your Dad was right.
It’s just not folding in the direction you probably imagined.
Don’t get me wrong, I love this car.
polara71
Old Man with a Hat
It was all taken away
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
A bumper jack? Bumper jacks are for emergency tire changes, and for display in the trunk ...... NEVER NEVER, EVER get under a car supported by a bumper jack..... Ask me how I know!!!!
Rosco
Active Member
This is good info. Where the car is (Mexico) there aren't great mechanic options. It can be scary. I try to do everything myself. I've got the service manual so I can follow those instructions. Looking forward to a lot of up and down w/ the floor jack
Rosco
Active Member
Roger.
I hear you on the bumper jack sketch factor. I only use it to raise the car and put blocks etc. to support it. With the sag at the wheels it seems like I'm 3 ft. up before I can get the wheel off the ground- you could push the car over with your pinky finger! But it is a handy way to raise the car. And I like that it's 50 years old and still does it's job.
I'll be all blocked up before I climb under. thanks.
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