1955 Ford Customline Ride Height.

[Phil Gillespie]

1955 Ford Customline has been fitted with new rear springs.
Previous owner had this work done. Looks ok maybe still sitting a little high.
Can any body give the ride height, as taken from centre of rear tail light to ground?
Many thanks in advance.
Phil NZ

[KULTULZ]

The factory trim height should be found in the 1955 FORD WORKSHOP MANUAL if you have a copy.

Do you want the factory stance or do you want to change it?

[Phil Gillespie]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

The factory trim height should be found in the 1955 FORD WORKSHOP MANUAL if you have a copy.

Do you want the factory stance or do you want to change it?

Just want the factory stance to cross check it. Not looking to change it.
Dont have the factory manual.
Thanks Phil Nz

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Phil Gillespie

Just want the factory stance to cross check it. Not looking to change it.

Dont have the factory manual.

Thanks Phil Nz

Let me go to my 'COBWEB CORNER' and dig my copy out and I will try to find it.

If you take it off another car, that car may not be sitting right.

https://www.themotorbookstore.com/se...=1955+ford+car

[Phil Gillespie]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Let me go to my 'COBWEB CORNER' and dig my copy out and I will try to find it.

If you take it off another car, that car may not be sitting right.

https://www.themotorbookstore.com/se...=1955+ford+car

This will be great as I'm so lloking forward to owning this vehicle again.
Hopefully take over next week.
many thanks
Phil NZ

[miker98038]

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Those manuals are available as reprints from a number of sources. But given your location, an online version might be better. They're only around $17.00 US.. I don’t know these guys, but you can view the sample and check around.

[KULTULZ]

I am still in SEARCH MODE. I have a BUNCH F*CK down there ...

Anywho, this (IMO) is the minimum one needs to work on his/her/it's car ...

- https://www.themotorbookstore.com/19...anuals-cd.html

Read the complete page. This will give you about all you will need.

[Ford blue blood]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Anywho, this (IMO) is the minimum one needs to work on his/her/it's car ...

- https://www.themotorbookstore.com/19...anuals-cd.html

Read the complete page. This will give you about all you will need.

Yup! First thing I do is find every manual that the factory put together for that car. Save me (and many parts) many times in the "apart and together" phase of building! Can't strongly enough recommend those purchases.

[Phil Gillespie]

Have only come up with overall height being mentioned. In vicinity of 61".
Phil NZ

[miker98038]

I know that’s in the manual someplace, but I dug mine out and damn if I can find it. If some knows, point me in the right direction.

I posted in the social group over on the HAMB, but this is all I got back so far. Courtesy of jimmy six, who owns a 56

“Real ride height is measured at the frame rails. The frame should be parallel to the ground thru the flat area at the firewall to where the front of the rear spring perch mount.
Rear springs all have sag after a year of being new and so o the fronts but not as quick. Hope you can get good numbers .”

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Phil Gillespie

Have only come up with overall height being mentioned. In vicinity of 61".

Phil NZ

VICINITY is only close in horse shoes, hand grenades and thermonuclear warfare.

Proper trim height is dictated by body style, drive-line, size of tires, etc. Spring rates (and maintained suspension) is what gives correct trim, not vehicle roof height off a level floor.

Let me venture back into the BLACK PIT and see if I can find my copy.

A TECH not only needs it for crash repair but also aligning the suspension.

If the attached ILL shows large enough, it is a GENERIC diagram (not FORD ) of how TRIM HEIGHT is measured -

2nd ILL attached I believe is from a FORD WSM -

[Phil Gillespie]

So I finally took delivery of the 55 Customline.
Rechecked the height front and rear.
Front Headlight centre to floor: 840mm.
Rear: Tail light centre to floor: 860mm.
Sitting on Cooper tyres 205 70R 15 all round.
There is at present 6 leaves either side. Reported that an extra leaf was added. This is evident by inspection. So by eye up slightly in the back car unlaidened.
I can live with this as visually looks fine.
Phil NZ

[scicala]

Passenger cars had 5 leaf rear springs. With the police interceptor option they had 6 leafs. Wagons and Courier had 7 leafs.

Sal