After having air shocks on my 65' fb for the last 20 years I broke down and replaced the shocks with KYB Gr2's last fall. I was happy with the stance and performance and parked the car for the winter. After sitting all winter I took the car out for a spin with a couple of buddies. With weight in the back, I bottom out on big bumps. I would also like the back of the car to sit 1-2 inches higher than it does now. The distance from the floor to the wheel well is 1/4" lower in the back than it is in the front. The car has "stock" springs bought from Mustangs Unlimited 2 years ago. Short of putting the air shocks back on (I know alot of you "freak" about this) what is the best solution to keep from bottoming out? I have seen many different spring sets available, spring helpers etc..

What can I do to stiffen up the rear springs and raise the 1-2 inches I like?

 

I hear the Edlebrock IAS or whatever are pretty stiff. Those should help you out some.

 

Shocks do not alter ride height. And no, do not put air shocks back on the car, unless you want a couple holes in the floor where the shocks punch through.

You need new leaf springs. There are plenty of vendors that supply leaf springs for various ride heights. The stock springs actually sat the rear end a little lower than the front. A combination of 1" lift leaf springs and 1" drop coil springs should get you the raked stance you're looking for. If you're concerned about bottoming out in the rear, get 4.5 leaf springs in stead of the standard 4-leafs.

 

Thanks Starfury. Has anyone bought these springs from a vendor that they recommend? If so, which ones did they buy/would they recommend for my situation.

 

You can find a spring place close to you have them re arch the springs or get a load leveler aka add a leaf from any auto parts store.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/68-69...#ht_2522wt_966

ive had my eye on getting these for awhile now

 

I'm surprised you had a problem with the leafs. I bought stock replacements from Mustangs Unlimited for my car back in 96 and it's level still. I don't think it matter because it's a FB?
How BIG are your buddies?
Ya at this point I would take andrewmp6's advise.

 

If you want it higher in the back you could just put slightly longer shackles on it.

Mine is set up this way. I had to do it to keep the tires from rubbing the fenders.

I agree about the air shocks. I wouldn't use them.

 

Nix on the longer shackles. On a road that has only a little roughness, the car will want to go about every which way but straight.

You need either re-arched springs or stiffer leaves. Or have an extra leaf added (I think there's a guy on a Pro-Touring forum who can get this sort of thing done).


Norm

 

I have a 65 FB also and just installed: 1" lower coils (620's), it raised my stock height half inch. Rear, I installed 4.5 leaf mid eye which kept the rear height the same from the 45 year old leafs. I plan on cutting a couple inches off the coils to level the stance.