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Anyone running a front coil over system with stock K frame?

70chall440

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Let me begin by saying I understand that T bars are good, they can handle, etc. however I building a very modified 70 RR (with tilt front end) and I am considering going CO in the front really "just because". I already have down bars in the front which someone else did some time ago, cut out all of the inner fender wells, etc. So I am not dealing with factory inner structure. I will be running a 426 Hemi and 4 speed and the though occured to me to develop a CO front end. I don't want to go to one of the "kits" (RMS, etc) rather I would like to investigate the possibility of developing a system using stock K frame and probably stock LCAs. I will probably go tubular UCAs but I am not sure yet. I am not going to be racing the car, not sure how much I will even drive it (as bad as that sounds, but I have a shop full of cars that I rarely drive, I am much more about building them). Don't hate on me here, I am just asking a question if anyone out there has done this and how it has worked out. Again, shock tower support is not an issue in this case. I appreciate in advance any constructive comments, stories, advice and/or pictures.
 
Here is what I am working with.
IMG_0884 (1).JPG
 
I reached out to Denny and he responded saying that he once made kits for B and E bodies but they didn't sell well so he hasn't made any more.
 
Had a great conversation with Denny, awesome guy. I am not planning to change over to coil overs for the front end, going to modify the stock upper shock attachment points as they are too low to use with a stock LCA.
 
Here is what I am working with. View attachment 868905

You can make it work if you're an engineer. If you're not an engineer then perhaps haul the car to a chassis shop and have them sort it out for you. Using a front suspension as a learning exercise isn't recommended. Kind of like learning how to perform surgery by trying to take out your appendix. Best to start somewhere safer.
 
Appreciate your comments but this is not rocket science and I am not at all concerned about making it work. I cannot claim to be an engineer but I have engineered a lot of things, have a full shop (mill, lathe, benders, welders, lift, etc.). These cars were hacked up back in the day by people with Acetylene torches and stick welders, then raced aggressively. Sure there is no doubt that there were some failures but there were a lot of successes as well. Take a moment and look at some late 60's and early 70's NASCAR Mopars, they literally hacked up stock suspension, welded some supports on etc. and went racing.
 
After speaking to Denny and looking at a lot of examples, kits, etc. in order to run a coil over shock in the front, here are some things to understand;

1. if you want to run stock LCAs, you really need to moved the top shock mount because there is just not enough room to get a decent length shock in there. Sure, it could be done but you would end up with a very small about of front end travel (around 3" according to Denny).

2. If you go to a tubular LCA such as those made by Denny (he mainly does A bodies but has done B/E bodies), you can get away with the stock upper location.

3. You have to find a method to support the back of the LCA (opposite side of the shaft). Basically, a plate needs to be made that supports the rear or he LCA could be redesigned to use a "bolt through" shaft along with a support bracket. If you go with a bolt through design you can weld a bracket to the K frame, however the shaft would have to be machined. A more likely method is a removable plate that bolts to the K frame and makes contact in at least 2 areas (top and bottom).

4. the upper shock mount has to be reinforced as it was never intended to take the weight of the vehicle nor the abuse from carrying that weight. There are a number of ways to do this and if you look at any of the tubular K frame conversions you will see how they do it.

Like most things car related, this isn't impossible and really depends on the willingness and skill level of the fabricator. I do not believe it to be overly difficult if you have the tools to cut, bend and weld metal.

Should you do it? Well only you can answer that question, I sincerely believe that the T bars are fine in most cases. However, in case of the build I am working on right now, I think the coil over conversion will be a benefit, plus it fits the car which is pretty altered already.
 
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