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| New Tubular UCAs installed in my '67 GT Rag Top https://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36309 |
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| Author: | wjajr [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | New Tubular UCAs installed in my '67 GT Rag Top |
I got the tubular upper control arms bolted in the old Dart replacing the factory stamped units. For those of you new to the quirks of my car, I have been trying to get the front end to factory specifications, but have been unable to dial in enough positive castor. The first trip to the rack, May '08, she was out -6 degrees drivers side, and -3 right side after installing all new front end bushings and four new shocks. Then I installed Moog corrector offset bushings, got it to -1 left & +0.7 right; still she didn't like to carve the curves with any satiability. The suspension was a flopping wallowing mess, felt like there was a big sloppy hinge behind the rear seat connecting the two hind wheels. Some detective work revealed mismatched torsion bars 0.83" left & 0.89" right side, beat rear spring bushings, and what looked to be non-stock track springs... Oh yeah, I had previously removed a set of coil-over leaking rear shocks also. Last fall I installed a front anti sway bar, Firm Feel 0.940 "T" bars, sub frame connectors, and new ESPO stock ride height six leaf rear springs & bushings making a huge road handling improvement, but still very twitchy in long sweepers over 45 mph. Last week after much thought and deleberation, I won over my Scotch side, dished up a pile of greenbacks for a pair of CAP tubular UCAs capable of +7 degrees of castor, and finished installing them yesterday. Today I was able to take an extended test drive, wow! is this the same car with sloppy Chrysler Power Steering I was driving on Tuesday??? What a difference even without the front end alignment performed yet. Stable in the corners, over bumps, & tracks nicely on the straightaway. Now to upgrade to a Firm Feel level 2 steering box. Yes Dan, this cheap Downeast Yankee Bastard is springing for the good stuff, and to hell with my Scotch ancestry. My Dart is now beginning to be fun to drive! |
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| Author: | Andy's GT [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
i like the feel of mine (basically a boat...) but that seems like it may be a good thing down the road for mine... |
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| Author: | robert west [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:30 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
I understand what you are saying about the tube control arms.I put a set on my duster [magnum force] handling is so much better.I set my duster up for street/strip so there up front b-body s/s springs rear, comp. drag shocks all around.you turn corners your car stays nice and flat. |
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| Author: | gmader [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:25 am ] |
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great story here. I think the state of suspension upgrade knowledge has improved a lot since I first showed up here in 2002-ish. There are also more/better parts available now. Congrats on your success! |
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| Author: | 64'4$peed [ Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:57 am ] |
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Sure makes a difference doesn't it. especially if your trying to put your front end in the weeds. I recently drove a bone stock 64 dart with powersteering and 40 yr old bushings and no sway bar. I completely forgot how amazing my valiant handles compared to how it was when I bought it. what shocks are you running? |
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| Author: | wjajr [ Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:16 pm ] |
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Inexpensive Monroe Gasmatics, Regale-Ride??... I think Gasmatics, they are blue & gas filled, and did not cost a lot of money. The car dose not bounce, ride is not stiff, but I would say supple. She would benefit with a bit more shock. For what I use it for, sunny cruising to car shows with a group of other old iron, and a few trips to Wally World; they are good enough for now. |
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