[Jay L.]

Current: 67 Chevy II with a TCI Mustang II front end with the older spring shock set up, 2" drop spindles,
and 18" wheels. Driven approximately 1000 miles on this set up.
Issues: Still rides high and the ride is just ok.
Question: Anyone convert to a air shock with this set up, process, and pros and cons.

 

[Nova Thug]

Where do you want to put the air shocks..? Front or rear..?
How low do you want it to ride..?
What spring rate do you have..?

 

[Nova Thug]

Are you running an aluminum LS engine..?
Did you originally order the TCI clip with this engine and transmission combination in mind..?

If you originally had a traditional cast iron small block in mind for this car..?

If not you probably have too high of a spring rate..

 

[Jay L.]

Are you running an aluminum LS engine..?
Did you originally order the TCI clip with this engine and transmission combination in mind..?

If you originally had a traditional cast iron small block in mind for this car..?

If not you probably have too high of a spring rate..

Yes, ordered with the intention of putting in an LS (currently an LS1 aluminum block) and agree that the spring rate is probably too high.

My initial hopes were that the front rims would tuck under at least an inch or two.

The rear sits right where I want it so if I added air shocks I was thinking only in the front.

I have contacted TCI and got a few responses. No real solid fixes yet other than maybe cutting the springs.

 

[Nova Thug]

Are you absolutely sure you have the 2” dropped spindles..?

I would think it would sit lower then it does.. An aluminum LS is about 100lbs lighter then an iron block.. Try to figure out what spring rate you have.. I think your control arms are about as close to the perfect attitude as you can get.. Cutting the coils probably would bring it down where you want it but the control arms may end up pointing up at the wheels.. This is not the best attitude..

This is my 63 with a TCI MII clip with dropped spindles on 18” wheels. I’ll try to get some pics of the spindles..

 

[Jay L.]

Are you absolutely sure you have the 2” dropped spindles..?

I would think it would sit lower then it does.. An aluminum LS is about 100lbs lighter then an iron block.. Try to figure out what spring rate you have.. I think your control arms are about as close to the perfect attitude as you can get.. Cutting the coils probably would bring it down where you want it but the control arms may end up pointing up at the wheels.. This is not the best attitude..

This is my 63 with a TCI MII clip with dropped spindles on 18” wheels. I’ll try to get some pics of the spindles.. View attachment 399399 View attachment 399400

I sent this pic to TCI to confirm the drop spindle and how yours sits is what I was shooting for.

 

[Nova Thug]

My dropped spindles have the axle at about 4.5” above the lower ball joints.. Stock height spindles are about 2” above. Your spindles look like my dropped spindles..

Mustang II spindle pics.

 

[Jay L.]

My dropped spindles have the axle at about 4.5” above the lower ball joints.. Stock height spindles are about 2” above. Your spindles look like my dropped spindles..

Mustang II spindle pics. View attachment 399423 View attachment 399425

I think it might just be the spring rate. Checking into that. Thanks for the pics by the way.

 

[bpb6602]

I have a 66 SS HT and use stock suspension on the front, 2" drop spindles, 17" wheels. I added the Air Ride to the front to give me the ability to change the ride height from the drivers seat. Love it !

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10215044011281031

 

[Flyt17]

I have the TCI clip with an LS engine also with17 inch rims. Couple of thoughts - according to TCI the lower control arm should be "parallel" to the ground for proper alignment height(at least that's my interpretation). So I measured from the inner end of the lower arm and the outer end and got an inch. I'm with you Jay-I want some "rake" to the stance. I ended up cutting about a third of one round of the coil spring. My '67 sits better and rides the same. Do I want lower? Maybe....

 

[Jay L.]

I have a 66 SS HT and use stock suspension on the front, 2" drop spindles, 17" wheels. I added the Air Ride to the front to give me the ability to change the ride height from the drivers seat. Love it ! View attachment 399445

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10215044011281031

I have the TCI clip with an LS engine also with17 inch rims. Couple of thoughts - according to TCI the lower control arm should be "parallel" to the ground for proper alignment height(at least that's my interpretation). So I measured from the inner end of the lower arm and the outer end and got an inch. I'm with you Jay-I want some "rake" to the stance. I ended up cutting about a third of one round of the coil spring. My '67 sits better and rides the same. Do I want lower? Maybe.... View attachment 399623 View attachment 399622

I have a 66 SS HT and use stock suspension on the front, 2" drop spindles, 17" wheels. I added the Air Ride to the front to give me the ability to change the ride height from the drivers seat. Love it ! View attachment 399445

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10215044011281031

What Was the total cost on the project? How low can you go when driving? Brand and specs?

 

[Jay L.]

I have the TCI clip with an LS engine also with17 inch rims. Couple of thoughts - according to TCI the lower control arm should be "parallel" to the ground for proper alignment height(at least that's my interpretation). So I measured from the inner end of the lower arm and the outer end and got an inch. I'm with you Jay-I want some "rake" to the stance. I ended up cutting about a third of one round of the coil spring. My '67 sits better and rides the same. Do I want lower? Maybe.... View attachment 399623 View attachment 399622

I may have to do a little trimming on my springs as well. I can tell yours sits lower and looks better after the trimming on yours.

 

[Nova Thug]

You should put a couple thousand miles on it before chopping any coils off.. See if the springs relax and settle a bit. Also, see if you can figure out what spring rate you have. Also, what type of shocks do you have, oil filled dampers or gas charged?

 

[bpb6602]

What Was the total cost on the project? How low can you go when driving? Brand and specs?

I think I have close to 2800 into the air ride system with air bags, compressor and all. I also have 2" drop spindles on it.
I can drop it at an event to where the headers are 3/4" off the ground but when I am driving I usually have it set to #2 position, this is where I have the alignment done at. I can drop it to #1 position while running down the road and it will come down 1.5", fine on good roads like the freeway. #3 position is for rough roads or parking lots and speed bumps.

 

[Jay L.]

You should put a couple thousand miles on it before chopping any coils off.. See if the springs relax and settle a bit. Also, see if you can figure out what spring rate you have. Also, what type of shocks do you have, oil filled dampers or gas charged?

300 Springs and whatever shocks came with the TCI clip

 

[Nova Thug]

300lb spring rate is probably a bit high for an aluminum block LS. Standard wound coil springs with a rate of 300lbs will compress in a linear progression per inch of compression.

The compression ratio looks like this:

Compression of 1” requires 300lbs
Compression of 2” requires 600lbs
Compression of 3” requires 900lbs
Compression of 4” requires 1200lbs

A 250lb springs would probably be a better rate for your setup. Remember that the rate is per spring.