18x9.5 RIM Update

[Blaze86Vic]

I just used the isolators.......it's a tight fit, but it wasn't that hard to get the isolators to squish onto the spring perch. Put the Isolator on the spring first, tape it on if you have to, then install the spring and it'll work out fine.

[LumpyCheeseman]

ok, maybe i'm just being retarded, or maybe i missed it...

the front springs are tru-coil 925 5.5x12
the rear springs are moog cc817
the front shocks are qa1 fc1948p ?
the rear shocks are ?


also, how does it handle on the street with that combo? body roll? high speed city? corners?

[Laura]

Don't forget to post some pics in the August POTM thread.

[89mercury]

Current Setup Shown HERE
Added: Tripminder with custom harness for 1989 model
EXHAUST: 2" stock duals w/ super turbo mufflers 17732
FRONT SPRINGS: Tru-Coil 252512-925
FRONT SHOCKS: QA1 FC1948P
FRONT SWAY BAR: 1 1/8" solid from a 1989 PI w/MOOG K6629 HD end link kit
REAR SPRINGS: Moog cc817
REAR SHOCKS: KYB GR-2 343135
REAR SWAY BAR: 1" solid from a 1989 PI
RIMS: Set of 4 18"x9.5"
TIRES: Used 2007 Shelby GT500 (255/45ZR18 Front ; 285/40ZR18 Rear)
AXLE: Y code (3.08 open) w/10" Drums

I love the way she handles. She does have a rough ride compared to the stock front springs, but I wanted her to handle more like a sports car rather than a 4-Door Luxury Sedan. The PI front and rear sway bars really make a big difference in cornering. At high speed 75-85MPH down some back roads she is very stable, not much body roll and will handle the turns at full speed. I'm happy so far, but I'll have to see if the rear 300 springs give me the right stance.

I'm going to try and detail her & take pics of the inside and outside to post soon....

Need to install:
HD All Metal Radiator, electric fan, & 135A 3G Alt
K code rear axle w/ 11" Drums & PI lower trailing arms
REAR SPRINGS: Tru-Coil 252514-300
REAR SHOCKS: QA1 TC2501P

NOTE:
At first I was only going to upgrade my Mercury to Police specs, that's why I'm doing the 11" drum upgrade, but now I do plan to upgrade to 14" rotors front & rear, then upgrade the engine(twin turbos).

[packman]

How's the ride quality after the 925# spring install? I am about to do the same to my mom's CV next week.


Packman

[Blaze86Vic]

300lb springs in the rear? You aren't getting the 300lb 14" springs are you? 225lb springs gave me an identical ride height to wore out stock PI springs in the back. 300lb rear springs will likely give you higher stance.

[89mercury]

300lb springs in the rear? You aren't getting the 300lb 14" springs are you? 225lb springs gave me an identical ride height to wore out stock PI springs in the back. 300lb rear springs will likely give you higher stance.

The main reason I got the Tru-Coil 14" 300's is I was worried about a load of people, a trunk load of stuff & a full tank of gas making the rear end sit to low. If the 300's raise the rear up to high I am going to put the Moog cc817 back, I'll measure and take some pics to see how much the 14" 300's raise the rear.

How's the ride quality after the 925# spring install? I am about to do the same to my mom's CV next week.


Packman

The Tru-Coil 925's stiffen up the front a lot compaired to my stock 374's. On the highway at 60+MPH the 925's feel much better to me, the old stock 374 springs felt like the car was riding on a wet sponge or floating. On a poorly maintained road with lots of pot holes and bumps the 925's give a rough ride, but they make my big 4-Door Luxury Sedan feel more like a sports car. I like the 925's, but I'm glad I didn't get stiffer ones. After first reading all the posts about the 925 springs I thought they would be to stiff for what I wanted, but now that I have them installed I really like them, they are not as stiff as I first thought.

Front Springs; PI = 700?; Stock = 374; Tru-Coil = 925

NOTE: The front shocks I have are an 8. Someday I would like to rebuilt them and try a setting of 6 or 7.

Stock Front Springs

Tru-Coil 925 Front Springs


New pics coming soon.....:camera:

[torquelover]

Looks good. I am not one to usually suggest adding chrome to a car, but I think your car might look good with some chrome trim below the black rubber trim on the beltline. It would tie in the chrome wheels better, and visually elongate the car's side profile.

[turbo2256b]

So whats the installed length of the shocks
































?

[89mercury]

So whats the installed length of the shocks

?

Installed length is 13".

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I was looking at some old pics and I found my pics of the police sedan rear lower control arms.

mrltd can you update the Suspension/Drivetrain FAQ so that the pics work?

I uploaded to this site.....

[p71towny]

Heh, I forgot about that. Needs to be stickied if not already.

[turbo2256b]

The issue with your front shocks is they might be too short. With 1000 lbs coils in the front of my car the ride height is 13 inches. My front with springs installed the car jacked up tires off the ground the distance between shock mounts was over 14". If you didnt remove the rubber bumper in the upper control arm or trim it the car might be bouncing on it. Under extream conditions undr compression the car could be riding on the control arm bumper against the frame. tHIS COULD BEND YOUR CONTROL ARM. Under extension it could attempt to over extend the shock. Which would dammage the shock. Keep an eye on the shocks for leaks.
I picked the Afco's because they were closest to half travel at the 13" distancee between the mounting points.

[turbo2256b]

If you could I woul like some picks of the relationship of the wheel to the upper a arm. Is the wheel or tire the closest to the A arm? Is the A arm inside the wheel inside diameter?

[82LTDQS]

U just used a cut wheel that costs like $5.00. I hooked it to my air grinded and it cut through them like butter. Nice rims

[1987cp]

Thanks guys. Yes, I had to use spacer/adapter to bolt up the rims and to get the backspacing right.

I never remembered to ask, what spacers did you use? (how thick, what bolt patterns, center bore, etc.)