How Low can I go?

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   I would like to purchase shorter springs for my 1962 classic wagon. How low can you go before having tracking, suspension,shock problems. I would like to go 2 1/2" all the way around. I have the the 196 I6. 
Anybody have experience with a supplier? Cost vs bagging? 
I didn't come up with anything when I searched.
Thanks for any input.

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Kenosha62 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Jan/24/2009 Location: Sacramento Status: Offline Points: 104	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kenosha62 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: How Low can I go? Posted: Jul/23/2014 at 4:05pm
	I would like to purchase shorter springs for my 1962 classic wagon. How low can you go before having tracking, suspension,shock problems. I would like to go 2 1/2" all the way around. I have the the 196 I6. Anybody have experience with a supplier? Cost vs bagging? I didn't come up with anything when I searched. Thanks for any input.

Lucas660 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Apr/16/2012 Location: Vic, Australia Status: Offline Points: 1344	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lucas660 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul/23/2014 at 7:10pm
	Most people use a lowering plate to offset the spindle, this way the geometry of the suspension does not change dramatically. There are several topics on this very forum.

Kenosha62 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Jan/24/2009 Location: Sacramento Status: Offline Points: 104	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kenosha62 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul/24/2014 at 1:42pm
	Unfortunately I'm not a welder and I will be needing to buy springs anyhow. thinking this maybe the most economical way to go.

Wrambler Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/02/2007 Location: West Virginia Status: Offline Points: 4199	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wrambler Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul/24/2014 at 2:37pm
	You don't need to be a welder! Just search out lowering plates. Use advance search and set the date to ANY.
	Wrambler 69 AMC Rambler 4.0L, 5 speed 2015 Grand Cherokee Limited 2019 Chrysler 300

Kenosha62 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Jan/24/2009 Location: Sacramento Status: Offline Points: 104	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kenosha62 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul/24/2014 at 8:26pm
	I took a look at the ball joints vs tires and it looks like with plates I can get about 1 1/4" maybe 1 1/2" before rubber meets ball joint. Has anyone used "Bcsideshow" plates on a 1962 classic? How low did you get? any suspension gremlins? I think I like the plates looks simple enough. 1 1/2" from the plates and an 1" shorter on spring? I'm sure I'm missing something, I always am. Thanks for all the input. I'll take more

fast401 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Sep/16/2008 Location: swanton, ohio Status: Offline Points: 3467	Post Options Post Reply Quote fast401 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul/24/2014 at 9:11pm
	http://theamcforum.com/forum/lowering-plates-information_topic42804.html
	Disturbing the peace since 1970!!! AMX 19245 Facebook page - AMC Nation www.fast-401.4t.com

RamblinMan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/26/2007 Location: Port Charlotte Status: Offline Points: 1237	Post Options Post Reply Quote RamblinMan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul/25/2014 at 8:21am
	I have a 65 Classic and have done the plates. Remember these cars sit fairly low anyway. I had lowering plates and 2" drop springs and at one intersection where large trucks had made tire groves with their braking, I got stuck on the center hump where my crossmember rested. Fortunately, at the time, I still had the 232 and not the 401 with the Milodon pan and headers. In my opinion a 2" drop is about max for driveability on average maintained streets. I had 3-5/8" drop with that setup and it was DEFINITELY too much but it sure LOOKED cool. I now run stock height because of the items mentioned before. If it weren't for the headers and pan, I would reinstall my lowering plates and be thrilled with the stance. FYI, be sure to calculate the thickness of the plates when thinking about ball joint interference. Mine are 5/8" thick.and I had no interference problems. The drop plates lower the car by 1-5/8".
	The Right Reverend of Blessed Acceleration

Kenosha62 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Jan/24/2009 Location: Sacramento Status: Offline Points: 104	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kenosha62 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul/25/2014 at 11:17am
	Oh yea hadn't calculated the plate thickness. Thanks for the heads up regarding your experience in real world driving. Mine won't be a daily driver, but will be driven on week ends as a cruiser, my go fast days are long over Were you using your OEM springs? I am plan on replacing mine with shorter (1" or not?) progressive springs to tighten the ride a bit and keep from bottoming out. Sounds like 2 1/2" is too much for the street, will have to puzzle on this a bit more. Love the info

RamblinMan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/26/2007 Location: Port Charlotte Status: Offline Points: 1237	Post Options Post Reply Quote RamblinMan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul/25/2014 at 1:55pm
	I was using OEM type springs and have never seen progressive types available. But I have't really looked either. Mine was not a daily driver either, but even in stock form, the crossmember is pretty low in these cars. It also affect the ability to get the cars on an alignment rack. I have to get mine aligned at a place that has an alignment PIT because of headers. However, my headers only hang down about around 1.5" lower than the crossmember.
	The Right Reverend of Blessed Acceleration

farna Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19676	Post Options Post Reply Quote farna Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul/27/2014 at 10:03am
	2" is about max. Park on a level surface and measure between crossmember and surface, then see how low you can go. I would want at least 4" of clearance between crossmember and ground, 3" as a bare minimum. With either be very careful with speed bumps. Crossmember is right between front wheels, but oil pan is at corssmember height and behind it.... This is why air suspension is used on cars that are really low! When you order your new springs get them 10-15% stiffer than stock. www.coilspings.com will make them any way you prefer. With only 3" clearance you might want 20% stiffer. Stock HD springs were about 20% stiffer, but I've found them to ride rough. The last ones I bought are 10% over stock, and I wish I'd ordered 12% like I did the time before. 10% stiffer is good, but 12% was better. 15% might be good, but at 12% the car rode a little stiffer but handled great! Good compromise, I think. The 10% stiffer springs improve handling and ride, just not quite as much as 12% did.
	Frank Swygert