IFS Coilover Spring weight

[solidaxel]

For those of you who are running a V-8 and a IFS in your trucks, what weight springs are you using.
I know that the angle of the shock makes a difference but for this exercise just trying to get a ball park with complete running trucks

[shrek55]

I have regular springs--375 lbs per inch

[yoshi]

I've just purchased a set of 375's

[solidaxel]

Do you have your trucks on the road, and is that 375# combo. too light?

[iowaboynca]

i hope not! I got 350lbs. and I'm that might be a tad much

No its not on the road which is why i didn't comment originally. I know that through research on this sight you can go with "V6" springs on our trucks because the engine sits further back as compared to the Mustang II...of course i don't know how the weights correspond to the 4, 6 or 8 cylinder springs. At the day i plugged my info into speedway's matrix and 350lbs. popped out. I too look forward to other guys experience.

[shrek55]

Not on the road , but drove it to the body shop with a dealer plate-- felt fine with the crappy roads we have in Jersey

[solidaxel]

Thanks guys,
Anybody else with coil overs?

[Tire Guy]

I have a similar question. I have been in conversation with QA1 Coilovers. My truck has a 69 Nova front subframe. They offer a couple different weights for the Nova and I am trying to determine what to buy. Without specific weight of the truck they are guessing a 550 spring for the coilovers.

Any idea what the weight is of a 1957 truck, small block V8 with A/C? Does 55o sound right?

[solidaxel]

I am thinking I am going to try 350 first, as the 500# springs with the engine and rad in place I (230#) could not even get them to move by jumping on them !

[Tire Guy]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

I am thinking I am going to try 350 first, as the 500# springs with the engine and rad in place I (230#) could not even get them to move by jumping on them !

Here are the options for a Nova.

Spring Rate Front End Weight
•350 1700-1900 lb.
•450 1900-2100 lb.
•550 2100-2300 lb.

I am guessing my truck weighs more than a Nova. I would hate to buy something that won't work like I want it to. Specially at $500

[1-ton of fun]

77 nova slip here. 675# springs because I want it to handle really well
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[yoshi]

I went with 375 from this - http://www.eatondetroitspring.com/or...-coil-springs/

[dwcsr]

try this

http://www.ridetech.com/info/spring-rate-calculator/

[solidaxel]

Thanks guys I will get some calculations

[1-ton of fun]

The only problem with that ridetech link is that it is only good for the rear since it does not account for the mechanical advantage of the ifs on the spring do you to be able to figure out what wheel rate a spring will give you. The page mentions it, but then says it should be 1 for the rear, so just assume 1:1. I know on my f150 the leverage is 1.7:1 so it does have an effect.
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[Rickysnickers]

FWIW, I called TCI last week, for a different issue. Their tech guy I spoke to had a '56, assuming a 3100, and he said he had 500# springs on his truck.

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, so I'll through my 2 cents in here. First off the truck I'm working with here is a '46, I would guess it weighs within 200 # of the second AD series (just had to through that jab in there, Art Deco was the first) It has a Fatmans MII front suspension I installed back in 2012. I am very pleased with the ride but it sits to low. I do not have lowered spindles and the springs are 375# uncut as supplied with the kit. I an running a 350 (all iron) with a 700R4 transmission, aluminium radiator and a steel trans cooler mounted in front of that. Now, to solve my stance issue I ordered a set of 375# springs from Speedway Motors, Part number for the springs is 917230. They come at 13.5 free height and will require cutting to get the desired ride height.
I will post pictures as I do the work and hope it will shed a little light on the issue. I will be starting tonight.
Rob

[solidaxel]

Thanks, we are working on a 46, also but with a iron/aluminum 5.3
The springs I have in at the moment are 300 but I do have a set of 350 and a set 0f 400 so I guess I will try all of them, if you are happy with the ride with 375# we will most likely end up with the 400#
Time and miles will tell, but the rebound is adjustable

[47 Fasttoys]

Nice looking '46.
OK so here is the truck in it's current state


You can see the lower "A" arm has a slight tilt up at the wheel side. I should be level or a slight tilt down.

First off is to get the wheel off and get a jack stand under it.

Next remove the cotter key and loosen the lower ball joint nut.

Next I removed the caliper and gave the ball joint mounting boss a few good licks with a hammer, this frees the tapered shaft of the ball joint up.

Next I removed the shock, sway bar bolt and grease fitting at the bottom of the lower ball joint. At this point just put a jack under under the "A" arm, remove the ball joint nut and lower the "A" arm.

The new springs are 1/2 coil longer then the stock MII units

Installing the new spring is a simple reversal of the removal process. I completed the drivers side tonight and will do the passengers side tomorrow and show the results.
Rob

[solidaxel]

What does 1/2 coil equal in inches from the old one?

[47 Fasttoys]

1/2 coil equals 5/8 inch free standing. OK so new springs are in. The "A" arm now has a downward tilt to the wheel side. It raised the front of the truck a full 3 inches. We will drive it for about a month this way to allow the springs settle and then adjust if necessary.This truck has now been taken over by my wife and she will be bouncing around in the field so I really needed the extra clearance. Oh, and by the way, I need your votes for TOTM for my COE.
Thanks,
Rob

[solidaxel]

So you raised the truck 3" how is the ride, what is the new spring rate Vs old?

[392Hemi]

I went with 600 for my coil overs.... I guess I'll see how they ride, should handle pretty well I didn't want a floaty feeling front end, worried I should have gone 500. May end up chickening out and swapping them.

I see a lot of different opinions on what the right weight is, seems like no one can agree. 3xx seems too light of a spring for a front end to me, would make a good rear spring imo

[47 Fasttoys]

Ride is good as before. New and old spring rates are both 375#. I'm thinking the springs supplied may have either been the wrong rate (not what I ordered) or where of poor quality. When I first installed the Fatmans unit it set about 1 inch lower then it sets now so they just seem to settle and settle. My truck does get some field time and hauls some weight from time to time but I still think it settled more then it should have. This is the 3rd Fatmans kit I have used and the first time I have run into this. Anyway, as stated these are aftermarket springs so maybe they will be of higher quality.
FWIW I have 450# springs on the front my Cobra (2300# total, 1210# on the front) and it rides stiff. If you run the 600# on your truck you can expect the same.
Rob

[dubds10]

Pretty sure we have 375 on our '57 with Heidts and it's way too light, rides like **** lol I'll be bagging it or going 5-600lbs. Iron 350/350 combo but going LS.