[fourbi4rox]

i am currently working on a '62 fairlane that needs anout 1" of drop in the front suspension, but no one seems to makes lowering coil springs. i am wondering what others on this forum have done to shorten their springs or if anyone knows where to get lower fairlane coils. i have discovered 3 alternatives: clamps (seems unsafe), torch heating the springs, cutting the springs. which one is the best and safest mod?

[poncho62]

Cut 1/2 a coil out of it...........use a cutoff wheel, not a torch.

[artesian]

Originally Posted by poncho62

Cut 1/2 a coil out of it...........use a cutoff wheel, not a torch.

I agree use a cut off wheel only, and a 1/2 coil for a start, and then have it realigned

[60tbirdrick]

Have you tried Jamco? I'm pretty sure they would have something. Give them a call. Go to the products link and scroll down to the coil spring section and click on the link that says click here for a complete list of Jamcos low profile coil spring kits. http://www.jamcosuspension.com/index.html

[xntrik]

Eaton Detroit Spring can make you some. Mike is a great guy.

I do lots of 62-65 Fairlanes, almost a specialty, I guess. As you know their front and rear suspensions are unique from all other Fords. While you're there, do the Granada disc brake upgrade. It takes a little extra know how, if you need help PM me, I have done several in the past 25 years.

Cutting 1/2 coil when it is removed is fine. Cut with a hot torch is fine too. Only about 1/2 inch of the metal gets hot. Cut the bottom end.

NOTE..... when you cut an used 62-65 Fairlane coil, first you must mark the outside of the coil with tape (towards the ball joint) on each spring. When removed, the used spring will have a definite curvature to it. You must not reverse the curvature on installation, that means do the side to side swap.

After cutting the coil, you MUST install the left spring in the right side, and vice versa. The lower end must fit in the spring pocket correctly. The way that the upper A frame is made without a pivoting spring cradle pivot makes the switch MANDATORY.. if you don't switch you have a 50/50 chance of the spring breaking because it is curving the opposite direction. Tape must face outward, it is marking the spring curvature.

Also never lower the Fairlane more than if the lower control arm is parallel to the ground. If you do, bottoming will be horrible, and geometry is funky.

Go for the 1" (15/16) 70's Granada anti-roll bar for $ 20 from the junk yard. Makes a BIG difference.

Do NOT under any circumstances put POSITIVE CASTER on the front end alignment. If you do it will drive squirrley. Stick to the factory specs with 1/16 total toe-in with radial tires.

[george turner]

ive got a 57 that i installed disc brakes on. i used the granada spindels and
disc calipers. this gave me an inch.5 drop with no problems. also, instead of
cutting springs you can get a fed-moog book and get the coil specs. i had to do this when i installed the 351c c6 combo in my 57coup. i took the car to the cat scales and had the front and back weighed. with the front weight
i could cross over the spring specs in the book...and no cutting
cost 20.00 to weigh the car 99.00 bucks for the RIGHT springs and smooth
ride. also check the ball joints dia. before goin with the granada spindels

[xntrik]

The 62-65 Fairlane ball joints are right for the Granada/Maverick spindles.
The Granada spindle does not lower the Fairlane.

Fairlanes from 62 on are a totally different cars than the 57s.