Aerostar springs the result.

[Talkwrench]

Finished fitting a set of Aerostar springs to the town sedan. Originally when I got the car the previous owner in the U.S. did the ol' oxy lowering trick , when we pulled the springs out they were like bananas. Found a set of replacement springs at the time and from memory there were T bird springs. Of course it sat a little high so Rick and I cut a coil off [may have been half a coil?] which you will see in the pictures for reference. I measured the originals at .683" thick and the new Aerostar ones at .755" and as we know they are progressively wound. The new springs are great, still a fairly soft ride I was expecting firmer, going over a speed hump at any speed will have you bouncing up and down still, and I think the reality is you bottom out before the spring actually gets firmer from the winding as the car is now much lower.. I can notice the difference in cornering, I can get around corners quickly, I do have heavy front and rear anti swaybars and KYB shocks also the rear has 1 3/4" lowering blocks so cornering is a breeze. Tried to do a side by side comparison , first pics are the cut Tbird springs , I think the Aerostars have lowered it another 1/2" you wouldn't want any lower ..

[Kahuna]

Hi Talk
If one just replaced the original front springs with the Aerostar's what would be the difference in heigth?
Thanks
Jim

[rowens55]

I too am curious about the height. It is my understanding that it lowers the front about 3 inches. Am I close? Thanks, Rowen

[bobss396]

3" is about right. Regular springs are around 16", Aerostars are around 11" in free height. I have them in my '59, the engine and transmission are out, so I'll find out. If I don't like them, I can sell them and grab something else Moog has.

[Talkwrench]

Yes just roughly I would say about 2 1/2 - 3" tops...

Sorry about the pics guys seems to happen when I take with my phone and then transfer to the computer..?

[rowens55]

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Excellent!! 3" will be just about perfect for my 55CV. Went and bought a set today from my local Napa. $86 out the door! Don't want to hijack this thread but ill post before and after pics. Think ill do it this weekend. I already have a complete front end rebuild kit. Wish me luck........
Rowen

[Talkwrench]

Go for it post the pics..

Oh be prepared to undo the brake lines.

[bobss396]

The '59 in my avatar sits just about level with the aerostars and no drive train. I did an engine test fit the other day and it dropped more, and whacked out my camber... got to dig up some alignment shims.

[rowens55]

I'm prepared for that bobss396. Ill get it as close as I can, then, straight to the alinment shop!! And to talkwrench, already have new rubber lines for all 4 corners. This should be fun!! Lookin forward to my new "hotrod" stance! Rowen

[JeffB2]

Originally Posted by rowens55

I too am curious about the height. It is my understanding that it lowers the front about 3 inches. Am I close? Thanks, Rowen

Usually about 2 1/2" they may settle another 1/2" after a few months on the road in most cases.If you have swapped out a flathead,y-block or 223 six for a 289-302 figure 2" -2 1/2" as they weigh about 200 lbs less.

[JeffB2]

Originally Posted by rowens55

Excellent!! 3" will be just about perfect for my 55CV. Went and bought a set today from my local Napa. $86 out the door! Don't want to hijack this thread but ill post before and after pics. Think ill do it this weekend. I already have a complete front end rebuild kit. Wish me luck........
Rowen

Don't want to make you feel bad but NAPA ripped you off,as moderator of the 52-59 Ford Group on the HAMB our members usually use this company: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coil-Spring-...064d27&vxp=mtr
Maybe go back with a copy and see if they will price match you would save about the price one of the matching gas shocks: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shock-Absorb...dd5901&vxp=mtr Your local Autozone sells the springs for $65.99 FCS850V

[mikhett]

GOOD LUCK and B careful.I wrapped a chain around my springs b4 I pulled them out.

[rowens55]

JeffB2, just called autozone, n yep, your right! So I called NAPA and they said they would make it right. Mikhett, this won't be my first time puttin in springs. I got this. Only problem is,...IT'S A HUNDRED AND SIX here in Woodland, ca today!!!!!!! Weekend is sposed ta cool off to 100+!! We will see if I feel like crawling under the car.

[JeffB2]

Glad NAPA made it right with you, with the $$ you saved you may want some adult beverages to cool you off in that heat,It stayed in the high 90's in Phoenix yesterday weird weather this year hope some rain makes it your way.

[rowens55]

JeffB2.........ME TOOOO!!!!!!!




Oh, and the "adult beverages",......already in the cooler! :0)

[miker98038]

FWIW, because I've got a 55 bird, with Aerostar springs, not a full size car. I have less bottoming on big bumps than I did with the cut bird springs. I'm getting into the "progressive winding" before I hit the bump stops. Mine also didn't settle more 1/8", which really surprised me. There's also some spring seat spacers, I think Ford used them on the driver's side of the birds, but they show up on the Mustang sites. You can use these to raise the front slightly if you end up too low. I love these springs, best bang for the buck I ever did on a suspension.

[rowens55]

Update, had to work yesterday and I want a couple days to change the springs (in case I come across any issues). So it looks like the next free weekend will be early October. So till then.......

[Kahuna]

Hey Rowen, Please post when you do this, as I'm really looking forward to the results and to be doing it myself.
Jim

[dmsfrr]

FWIW.... I had a long-bodied Aerostar back in the early 90's and the back end sat too low for even light/medium duty towing. Bought a set of (Moog?) oem replacement style extra capacity rear coil springs that raised the back end about 1-1/2 to 2 inches. If these are still available they could be another option if stock Aerostar coils are too low or soft for whatever you're doing.

25yrs later, wish I'd saved the leftover Aerostar springs for this '55 Bird.



.

[rowens55]

Jim, As soon as the time is available to me, I will post pics and what I had to do to get them in. dmsfrr, if it comes off the car, it goes in a box in storage. I want to be able to put it back stock if I ever want. No cutting on my baby!! That's why I'm going to put a stock 6v harness in. I've been told and read that it will support a 12v system with no problems. Rowen