New member, familiar car

[rustomatic]

That Falcon will feel like a new car after this work is done--that's for sure.

If the stock trans tunnel is still present, that was undoubtedly part of the reason for the downward-facing rear and trans. Rather than doing what's required, which is removing/raising the whole tunnel for driveshaft and transmission clearance (at low ride height), people make unreasonable compromises like the ones you've encountered. Such ideas of course result in horrible function . . . We've all got to learn somehow.

The car should soon work as good as it looks!

[SSChef]

Originally Posted by rustomatic

That Falcon will feel like a new car after this work is done--that's for sure.

If the stock trans tunnel is still present, that was undoubtedly part of the reason for the downward-facing rear and trans. Rather than doing what's required, which is removing/raising the whole tunnel for driveshaft and transmission clearance (at low ride height), people make unreasonable compromises like the ones you've encountered. Such ideas of course result in horrible function . . . We've all got to learn somehow.

The car should soon work as good as it looks!

That's what he said when I told him there was a T-56 in it. He asked me if the tunnel was stock, I said yes I think so and he said "than it isn't right". LOL

He ended up cutting the tunnel and the full factory crossmember section out. It was hacked into anyways.

With the tunnel removed he then got to work on the cross member. Original part was from Speedtech and he shortened it.

[SSChef]

After all was set in place the rear tunnel section hit and had to be removed. *notice the dyna mat on the shaft. 3 layers.

[SSLance]

Originally Posted by SSChef

*notice the dyna mat on the shaft. 3 layers.

What the hell... Amazing what people will do to bandaid a problem.

You are in good hands with advice coming from Ron. Having the coil overs out near the wheels lets the shocks react quicker and sometimes can change the motion ratio to allow you to run a softer spring rate. I so want to incorporate a Ron inspired watts link setup onto my car...someday.

Nice job on fixing the car right, it should be completely different once back on the road.

[SSChef]

Originally Posted by SSLance

What the hell... Amazing what people will do to bandaid a problem.

You are in good hands with advice coming from Ron. Having the coil overs out near the wheels lets the shocks react quicker and sometimes can change the motion ratio to allow you to run a softer spring rate. I so want to incorporate a Ron inspired watts link setup onto my car...someday.

Nice job on fixing the car right, it should be completely different once back on the road.

Yep, once he had the tire space clear he was able to determine that there was enough room to put the shocks between the frame and the tire. Estimates 3/8"- 1/2" between the lower shock mount and the tire. He's looking for more as he explained that since the shock and tire move in the same arch we still have to account for wheel and tire flex.

Having the fabricated rear frame rails makes his job a little easier. Most of the Ridetech parts will work perfectly.

"Reduced cosine and location will allow us to drop the spring rate by a lot. We will play with different rates. You should be looking forward to a soft nice handling car. It will feel planted with the right roll center height."

With the rear end fixed in place (pinion centered and angle set) he started to set up the lower link placement keeping the shock angles in mind. Once the lower was set on the diff he can plan the upper shock mounts. All out of the box Ridetech parts with a few scratch built filler pieces. Making it look too easy. The difference, before and after.

Also pictured is the parallel frame runner for the forward lower lower link mount and the crossmember notch. You can see the old lower wish(it worked) bone mount to the left.