Frontend ride height, limitations

[Moparfiend]

Disregarding exact front end geometry like camber and caster, what are the limitations on front end lowest ride height?

For example, bumper clearance and steering geometry issues?

I guess what I’m asking is how low can I make the front end before I have clearance or steering issues? And how do you tell?

 

[copper67sat]

I had mine too low for a bit - don't know the measurement but I could feel it hitting the bump stops in the steering, particularly when I would go on/off bridge transitions on the highway at speed. Car didn't feel stable for a moment.

Ended up putting in new torsion bars and springs - 1.03 bars and +1" springs to give it a slight rake front-to-back . Set the front end to spec and it drives much better now. It did raise the overall ride height of the car which is not what you’re after but mine was too low before and would drag the exhaust going over sharp angle changes like going in/out of the Daytona race track for car shows.

after the changes

 

[Kern Dog]

Torsion bar rates and shocks will matter more as your ride height gets set lower. With less suspension travel, you have less room to move before you bottom out.
I am below stock height but I like my cars that way. These Mopars can get better alignment numbers the lower the front end sits.

 

[Moparfiend]

Is this thinking correct? The lower the ride height, the lower, the torsion bar rate and the more rough the ride?

 

[R413]

@kerndog will be along on this.

Too low and it hits the bump stops. That's bad in many ways and can cause loss of control in some situations. Suspension needs to work, move and control the car.

 

[Moparfiend]

I need to read the section on suspension in the FSM BUT practical experience is also helpful. Thank you.

 

[RemCharger]

Is this thinking correct? The lower the ride height, the lower, the torsion bar rate and the more rough the ride?

The spring rate does not change with height

 

[R413]

The FSM will not really answer your question, but I advise reading it anyway. Lots of info in there if we pay attention.

 

[Moparfiend]

The spring rate does not change with height

So what is happening as the LCA ride height bolt is adjusted to increase ride height? Isn’t it using more torsion spring force on the front end?

 

[RemCharger]

So what is happening as the LCA ride height bolt is adjusted to increase ride height? Isn’t it using more torsion spring force on the front end?

What is happening is the vehicle sits higher.
The weight doesn't change, the spring rate doesn't change.

 

[66 Sat]

I set mine where the gap between the LCA bumpstop and the frame rail is about 3/4". That's still plenty of suspension travel and the front end sits level. I don't like the look of the front end being higher than the rear, even if that was the "factory" look.
I've got the 1.03 torsion bars and Koni shocks and it all seems to work well.

 

[RemCharger]

The factory rake was level, and ironically at the factory ride height is exactly where the best performance of the stock steering/ suspension was engineered.

 

[Darter6]

1.03 torsion bar

That's a heavy bar over a stock figure. I think a Hemi bar was in the .890 range but not certain.
Also places like Energy Suspension have a pancake bump stop that may be only 1/2'' compared to the factory bump stop.

 

[66 Sat]

That's a heavy bar over a stock figure. I think a Hemi bar was in the .890 range but not certain.
Also places like Energy Suspension have a pancake bump stop that may be only 1/2'' compared to the factory bump stop.

I won them in the P-S-T Superbowl competition on here a few years back. No real change to ride comfort but improves the handling for sure.

 

[copper67sat]

No real change to ride comfort but improves the handling for sure.

That is my experience as well.