Coil Over ?

[ProStreet Dream]

Looking for any info on what coil over spring rate to use in my 66 Fleet.This will be mainly a street trucks.


Ladder bars
narrowed 9" 4.56-33x21.50x15
496 bbc(500-600hp)
Turbo 400 @2800 stall

Thanks

[Super73]

We would need to know:

Rear weight
Leverage ratio (where are the shocks located? how many inches from the front hole on the lower control arm)
Coil length uncompressed
Coil length at prefered ride height
Total travel of coil over shock/spring

With out ALL this info it's a major shot in the dark..

[AirMale]

I would start with a 170lb spring if it's mounted rear of the axle vertically.

[ProStreet Dream]

Wow that's a lot of info that i do not have clue about.I just picked up the truck a few weeks ago.Someone else did all the hard work now i am trying to finish.It looks like they put in a piece of exhaust tubing to set the ride height.(the rear end was upside down in this picture)

We would need to know:

Rear weight.Hope someone on this site could get me in the ballpark.
Leverage ratio (where are the shocks located?Behind the axle how many inches from the front hole on the lower control arm)35" to the bottom and 45" to the top
Coil length uncompressed
Coil length at prefered ride height10"
Total travel of coil over shock/spring

With out ALL this info it's a major shot in the dark..

Thanks,
Chris

[Super73]

I would not take a guess with 170lb springs. You set up is much different than Airmale's.. He has a 4 link, you have a ladder bar. Looks like Airmale has a factory frame where yours is backhalfed. Batterey location can have a huge effect.. All the little things add up. If you want it to be perfect you need to do some homework. Otherwise you can keep guessing shipping parts too and from a parts vendor like Summit.

A 13" long 170lb spring isnt going to give you the same ride height as a 15" 170lb spring. There is a lot that goes in to selecting the right spring.

As far as rear weight, it's going to be different than a factory set up. Your best bet is to put the bed on it, get everything done to it, put it on a scale, then buy your springs.

To get compressed and uncompressed lengths, you need to take a shock/spring off. Expand it take the measurement from the bottom of the spring perce to the top. Compress it, take the same measurement. Then for the ride height, set it back in the truck, put jack stands upder the rear frame so it's at the height you want. Then measure the top/bottom of the spring perch again.

[AirMale]

can't argue with that. but looking at what you have it's a safe starting point, you may wind up with 150lb. I run a stock frame, batt. in rear and 20gal cell at the tail. good luck.

[ProStreet Dream]

Thanks for the help.

Looks like i should just wait until the end of the build and take it to the scales to get the weight right the first time.That way i only have to set it up once.Your right my setup is different back half,bed is gutted(only has thin sheet metal floor)15 gallon cell and 2 batts.

Chris