Suspension Limiters

All,

Just installed new front springs for my '67 Fairlane (Moroso trick springs) which picked up the front end a few inches (no more rubbing on sharp turns and car is level now). Now I need to toss a pair of suspension limiters up there to finish off the front suspension.

Has anyone out there fabbed up some suspension limiters for a similar car? If so, what did you use to make the limiters and where did you install them? Did you drill thru the control arm and top of the shock tower?

FYI - right now, the front suspension is a stock shock-tower setup with adjustable shocks. Car is street/strip with 800 hp 514, C4 with a brake, 10 pt. cage, minitubbed, 10.5" street legal slicks (Hoosier), etc. Weighs 3566 with driver. Lousy 60' times now (1.70 and up), but still getting things sorted out.

Thanks!

Scott

Scott, I have a 68 Mustang, which is almost identical to your car, suspensionwise. Mine is strictly a race car though no street use. I have 1/4 chains that are spot welded to the upper control arm and bolted to the outer coil housing, (the part that the rubber bumpers are bolted to).

There are aftermarket kits, some made of cable, that are avalible, and they are adjustable.

BCR466,

Thanks for the info. Have tried a google search for suspension limiters, but no luck yet. Does anyone know of an aftermarket manufacturer for these? I'd prefer something in cable and adjustable. Could also make some myself, I guess, if the aftermarket stuff is a bit expensive.

Thanks!

Scott

On the Fox we used to run, we made up 5/16" cable limiters and ended up switching to chain. The cable setup was more complicated, bulky and most importantly a pain in the *** to adjust.

Chain is very simple to install and easily adjusted at the track.

my .02

Agreed, the chain is probably the best way to go. With the weight of your Fairlane & the compressed spring pressure holding up a car of that weight, cables might not last too long.

Mount/hang the chains away from any steering hardware and brake lines. While you could just drill mounting holes in the control arms, a welded bracket on the control arm might be a better idea. And drilling a mounting hole in the sheet metal shock tower might not be enough, you might try welding big washers to both sides of the drilled hole to spread the load over a larger area of the tower.

DAVID.

Well, I was hoping that this would be something that I could put together myself.

If it has to be welded, I've got to send it to the shop because I don't have a welding setup. There's a good shop nearby, but they're not cheap...

Thanks!

Scott

On the Fox we used to run, we made up 5/16" cable limiters and ended up switching to chain. The cable setup was more complicated, bulky and most importantly a pain in the *** to adjust.

Chain is very simple to install and easily adjusted at the track.

my .02

Brock, Dave or whomever,

You wouldn't happen to have pictures of the front end limiters, do ya?

this is most likely the next step on my chassis that is needed along with raising the wheelie bars another inch.

thanks

Damon,

I didn't take any pictures of the cable or chain limiters we used. I installed the chain limiters in about an hour. The suspension on our '79 was stock other than the 90/10 struts, which were probably a waste of money once we stepped up in power. All I did was drill a 3/8" hole in the top spring perch and the lower control arm and bolt a length of 5/16" chain in there. Once at the track you can "tune" the car by changing the chain link bolt location. (so leave a few extra links on the chain) I know, crude but effective.

You will be surprised at how it will help to control your wheelstands and will probably improve your ET. Don't be surprised if your car carries the wheels just as far but with less altitude!

Brock

Brock,

That's what I fgured. I'll try to get down to the shop next week and get 'em on.

thanks!

Scott,

Try A.R.T. for the limiters. They have the cable types. Or you can fab some up and use the chain.

Look at these. http://www.appliedracing.com/pages/products/suspension_components/a-arm_kits/018649.html

Thanks John.

BTW - I'll be home in about 10 days for my 2 week mid-tour leave. Is your car together? If so, are you running it anytime soon? I may have to make a trip to Gulfport or Belle Rose while I'm home, but just as a spectator - - Fairlane is in storage in Texas and won't come out of hibernation until I return early next year.

Let me know if you run across anything interesting for sale in the next few weeks - I'm jonesing for a new musclecar. Guess 7 just ain't enough...

Scott

Nope, it's not together.... The cage is out and waiting on me to find someone to put it in. I've been real busy at work and hardly have any time to spend at home much less work on the car.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for any cars......

I like the cable type myself. Chain works great but I just didn't like the idea of chain rattling around at ride height. I made mine from parts of a Comp. Eng. kit and parts I bought from McMaster-Carr. It's completely adjustable with the turn of a wrench. I have adjustability from full extension on the strut to about 1” past ride height.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w244/dcrahn/DSCF0334.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w244/dcrahn/DSCF0332.jpg

Doug,

Nice Setup, thanks for the pictures!