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**Dan Leavens** · November 19, 2016, 05:08 PM

Franco: The 58 had coil springs ( made by Budd one year only 58 and then went to leaf springs ) Apparently Ford approved this for production for that year but quickly went to leaf springs in 59 and subsequent models. The 58 also has rear trailing arm suspension/ with a pan hard bar ( sway )
The ride in my wife's 58 is quite smooth and not the " stiffness " that you are indicating. Remember that coils being made of metal are now some 45+ years old and get brittle / crack after all that load bearing use. Have you had them checked and also your front shocks?

**Frango100** · November 19, 2016, 06:07 PM

Thanks for the answer Dan.
Is there any info available regarding the standard ride height? The rear springs still have some color markings on the black paint, so it looks that they have been replaced during the Restoration in 2012.

**Dan Leavens** · November 19, 2016, 10:23 PM

Franco: The height from the garage floor to the back fin on our 58 is 34" and the height from the garage floor to the roofline is 52.5"
Conversely the height from the garage floor to the back fin on our 60 is 36" and the height from the garage floor to the roofline is 54"
Coil springs vs leaf springs...

**Dan Leavens** · November 19, 2016, 10:26 PM

Franco: Check out Automotive Mileposts website for specs.

automotivemileposts.com

**Frango100** · November 20, 2016, 06:13 AM

Thanks for the info Dan, will have a look at that site.

**Frango100** · November 20, 2016, 09:20 AM

Didn�t check the site yet, but measured the height of the fin at the rear wheel. It measures 38". I presume that you also measured at the wheel?

**Dan Leavens** · November 20, 2016, 09:34 AM

Franco: Yes measured at the wheel as well. What is your measurement from the ground to your roofline?

**Frango100** · December 12, 2016, 08:28 AM

A little late reply, but the measurement from the ground to the roof line is 54", the same as your 60 bird, but 2" higher then your 58.
The rear springs are quite new and i think that they installed longer springs, most probably to clear the chassis from the immense traffic bumps we have overhere.
I don�t know a thing about springs, but would it be possible to get "softer" springs, to make the ride more comfortable?

**simplyconnected** · December 12, 2016, 01:19 PM

Ride quality comes from shock absorbers. Springs suspend the body while shocks and struts dampen the bounce. If you want a stiff ride, buy stiff shocks. Most shocks for classic cars at too mushy for my liking. - Dave

**Frango100** · December 12, 2016, 02:18 PM

Thanks Dave. Any good brand/type of shock to give a comfortable ride you would recommend?
I�m not a racer, so I prefer more a comfortable ride then a bumpy one.

**RustyNCa** · December 12, 2016, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by Frango100

Thanks Dave. Any good brand/type of shock to give a comfortable ride you would recommend?
I�m not a racer, so I prefer more a comfortable ride then a bumpy one.

I would have to chime in and say, the last thing I have thought was the ride was stiff in my 58. If anything it's way to mushy for my liking.

I am running KYB Gasadjust shocks on mine and it did help but the car is still way to soft for my liking, but then again I tend toward stiff suspension on most of my cars.

**simplyconnected** · December 12, 2016, 10:50 PM

I agree, most 'classic ride' shocks are too mushy for me.

Back in the day, we used to buy 'heavy duty' shocks. Somehow, they aren't made any more. So... I looked on Gabriel's site and matched my shock's dimensions with modern shocks.

The fronts are easy because we only have a small hole to fit shocks through. So, sensitrack shocks it was. The rears are a bit wider in choices because there is lots of room back there. I ended up buying shocks made for a Cadillac SUV (front shock) on the rear axle of our '59 Galaxie. With the new leaf springs, the car rides beautifully. The new shocks are much wider and they give much better control (in my humble opinion). - Dave

**Frango100** · December 13, 2016, 07:36 AM

But i was just wondering about the springs. If you put too strong (thicker metal) of a spring in there, wouldn�t that make the ride more bumpy? It would take more effort (force) to compress the springs.

**sidewalkman** · December 13, 2016, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by Frango100

But i was just wondering about the springs. If you put too strong (thicker metal) of a spring in there, wouldn�t that make the ride more bumpy? It would take more effort (force) to compress the springs.

The springs will definitely create a harsher ride. I'm not sure of the amount of coils in a stock spring but you might want to count yours. In an effort to stop the wallowing in corners when driving a classic car people put too stiff a spring rate into the car. Creates an effect like driving with no springs, doesn't matter what shock you have at that point since there is no dampening to be had with too stiff a spring. The fact yours might be sitting taller makes me believe someone put in a bigger / stiffer spring and you'll never get a cushy ride. But it'll corner better or should as there won't be as much side to side wallowing.

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