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Old 12-15-2017, 11:08 PM   #1
Nuckingfuts
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How To Stiffen Front Suspension

After searching I see suggestions for sway bars but I'd like to stiffen my straight line suspension.

I've got a '73 with a 5/7 static drop, twin tube shocks all around, 28" OD tires and my front tires occasionally contact the wheel wells when I hit dips on the highway. I'd like to stiffen up the front end about 25% more and would like to know what you guys have done. Ideas?

Last edited by Nuckingfuts; 12-15-2017 at 11:44 PM.
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Old 12-16-2017, 11:55 PM   #2
Ziegelsteinfaust
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Re: How To Stiffen Front Suspension

This is a bit out of my specialty right now, but that is a rather tall tire for such a drop.

You could roll the fender well lips.

But I would get front rims with a bit more back spacing or slightly shorter+narrower tires.

Of course it is hard to see the problems. On the Internet
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Old 12-17-2017, 12:30 PM   #3
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Re: How To Stiffen Front Suspension

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Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust View Post
This is a bit out of my specialty right now, but that is a rather tall tire for such a drop.

You could roll the fender well lips.

But I would get front rims with a bit more back spacing or slightly shorter+narrower tires.

Of course it is hard to see the problems. On the Internet
The plan is to swap in some 15" ralleys with 255/60 coppers which will make it a 27" which will help a bit.

I'm assuming C20/C30 springs are heavier rate, has anyone tried using these to stiffen the front?
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Old 12-17-2017, 04:16 PM   #4
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Re: How To Stiffen Front Suspension

Sway bar and drop coils with a stiffer rate. CPP sells a little adapter on their site that raises the sway bar up for dropped C10's.
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Old 12-17-2017, 04:42 PM   #5
69heavychevy
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Re: How To Stiffen Front Suspension

My front end stiffened up a bit when I switched over to BBC springs. I did cut 1 coil off to get the desired drop on the front.
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Old 12-17-2017, 05:32 PM   #6
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Re: How To Stiffen Front Suspension

All the stuff mentioned above sounds like it'll help. I'd get or fab some extensions for your bump-stops. If you like how your suspension currently operates, then you're done. Even if you want to implement other items, the bump-stops should be compatible and are your last line of defense since they have the final word on sudden suspension impacts.
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Old 12-17-2017, 08:22 PM   #7
Nuckingfuts
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Re: How To Stiffen Front Suspension

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Sway bar and drop coils with a stiffer rate. CPP sells a little adapter on their site that raises the sway bar up for dropped C10's.
I'm currently using DJM 2" drop coils but I think they're the same rate as stock just shorter. Who carries a 2" drop stiffer rate spring?
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Old 12-18-2017, 11:02 AM   #8
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Re: How To Stiffen Front Suspension

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I'm currently using DJM 2" drop coils but I think they're the same rate as stock just shorter. Who carries a 2" drop stiffer rate spring?
Try Hotchkis.
Nobody else that I'm aware of lists a spring rate for dropped coils. Hotchkis offers 2" & 4" dropped versions. The alternative is new coils that have a higher spring rate vs your current ones cut to your desired drop.
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