Suspension Measurements

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

Alright LXers. Time to bust out your tape measures. I need some help. I need to get some suspension measurements from your vehicles. I need them from both a stock Magnum RT and stock Magnum SRT with no suspension mods. I need two measurements . Plus, I would like them in millimeters(Its easier to do math with millimeters),

First measurement:

I need the measurement from the the top of the wheel arch to the bottom of the center cap. Just like below.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a121/ShagMag/IMG_1703.jpg

Second measurement:
I need the measurement from the bottom of the head of the rear shock bolt to the center of the bolt on the bottom suspension arm.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a121/ShagMag/IMG_1724.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a121/ShagMag/IMG_1725.jpg

I need these measurement with an empty load in the back. I am doing a suspension mod and I need these measurements. I need them mostly from a Magnum SRT model.

Once I finish this mod, I will write up a thread on what I did complete with pictures.

Thanks for your help:thumbs_u:

Jose

[Mighty Noid]

You may find a few at Beach Burger tomorrow night...


:)

[ephines]

Courious on what is your plan?

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

You may find a few at Beach Burger tomorrow night...


:)
Thats what I was thinking but unfortunately, I cant make it today. Can someone take these measurements? Its not hard to do.

Thanks

Jose

BTW. T dont want to do a Randy.

Im trying to mod some SRT rear shocks to work with the MOPAR drop springs. Im trying to get another 1/2 drop from the Nivomat shock. I may have found a way but I need the stock ride height measurement from an SRT to work as my base measurement.

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

I will give myself one bump only.

[fnkychkn]

:bump: i'll bump you and add a quote from FSM.

CURB HEIGHT MEASUREMENT

The wheel alignment is to be checked and all alignment adjustments made with the vehicle at its required curb height specification.
Vehicle height is to be checked with the vehicle on a flat, level surface, preferably a vehicle alignment rack. The tires are to be inflated to the recommended pressure. All tires are to be the same size as standard equipment. Vehicle height is checked with the fuel tank full of fuel, and no passenger or luggage compartment load.
Vehicle height is not adjustable. If the measurement is not within specifications, inspect the vehicle for bent or weak suspension components. Compare the parts tag on the suspect coil spring(s) to the parts book and the vehicle sales code, checking for a match. Once removed from the vehicle, compare the coil spring height to a correct new or known good coil spring. The heights should vary if the suspect spring is weak.
NOTE: When measuring, the maximum left-to-right differential is not to exceed 12.5 mm (0.5 in.).

https://w05.dealerconnect.chrysler.com/service/mds2002/serviceInfo/en_US/813dfe38.gif

Front – On each side of the vehicle, measure the distance (2) from the frame rail just behind the engine cradle rear mount (1) to the floor or alignment rack/lift runway surface. It may be necessary to measure to the bottom of a straight edge, placed from lift runway to runway, to get an accurate measurement.

https://w05.dealerconnect.chrysler.com/service/mds2002/serviceInfo/en_US/813dfe35.gif
Rear – On each side of the vehicle, measure the distance (2) from the travel limiter (1) attached to the front rear crossmember mount bushing to the floor or alignment rack/lift runway surface. It may be necessary to measure to the bottom of a straight edge, placed from lift runway to runway, to get an accurate measurement.
Compare the measurements to the specifications listed in the following Curb Height Specifications chart. CURB HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL / FRONT / REAR
ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE / 352 mm ± 10 mm / 308 mm ± 10 mm (13.85 in. ± 0.39 in / 12.13 in. ± 0.39 in).
REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE / 328 mm ± 10 mm / 296 mm ± 10 mm (12.91 in. ± 0.39 in / 11.65 in. ± 0.39 in).
SRT8 / 321 mm ± 12 mm / 290 mm ± 12 mm (12.64 in. ± 0.47 in / 11.42 in. ± 0.47 in).
POLICE PACKAGE (Without Equipment*) / 345 mm ± 10 mm / 315 mm ± 10 mm (13.58 in. ± 0.39 in / 12.40 in. ± 0.39 in) * NOTE: Police Package height specifications given are for settled vehicles without additional standard police equipment added. Once police equipment is added, estimated at 520 lbs. (400 lbs. for Magnum with 5.7L), vehicles should meet normal REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE specifications as listed above.

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

Thanks fnky. You're the best!

I might be able to incorporate these numbers in my calcs.

[Hurst Equipped]

since your shocks don't look like my nivomats from the tow package, it may lower just fine with the spring change.

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

Wow!! I guess no one owns a tape measure.

I'll just have to ask the first SRT owner I see on the road and ask them if I can measure their car.

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

since your shocks don't look like my nivomats from the tow package, it may lower just fine with the spring change.

These are the shocks I just got. The rears are SRT nivomats. The fronts are used stock RT shocks(I wont be using those)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/asrstech/Dodge%20Magnum/SRT%20front%20suspension%20March%202007/S5000005.jpg

[Rob@WretchedMS]

Checking Ride Heights,

http://westfield-et.com/article_info.php?articles_id=2

Most aftermarket manufacturers are going to a 'Rim to Guard' measurement for measuring ride heights.

This is a much more accurate way to check the heights due to variances in tires.

A listing of ride heights with rim diameter is best.

[Hurst Equipped]

what are you thinking of doing to lower your car and use nivomats? i tried to do this too, along with a few others. no success and i am a fabricator.

[Rob@WretchedMS]

The Nivomats are evil, We have had success with non nivomat cars, but the problems that the nivomat's have given us will be old news soon.

We should have our dampers available with our existing spring combinations in Late Oct, Early Nov.

I've found no way around the nivomat settings.

[Hurst Equipped]

The Nivomats are evil....I've found no way around the nivomat settings.


me neither. i have even shortened the nivomats 2" to try to lower my car with the sportlines and that didn't work. the shocks just pumped up to the limit trying to make up for the shorter length. the whole car was riding just on the pumped up shocks. the ride was horrible.

moving the shock mounts lower didn't work either.

so what are you thinking here????

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

me neither. i have even shortened the nivomats 2" to try to lower my car with the sportlines and that didn't work. the shocks just pumped up to the limit trying to make up for the shorter length. the whole car was riding just on the pumped up shocks. the ride was horrible.

moving the shock mounts lower didn't work either.

so what are you thinking here????

Well. That's what I was thinking. I was going to shorten the collar spacer on top of the shock. I was going to remove about 3/8 th inch so that the top shock mount would drop. Since the shocks are supposedly set for a specific length, the drop of 3/8th inch to 1/2 inch would be fine. This is my theory though it may not be right.

I remember seeing a thread on this forum about the Cadillac STS guys doing the same thing with thier nivomats and have success with the drop springs for thier cars.

Am I doomed for failure? Please advise

Jose

[Hurst Equipped]

i tried that first. didn't work. then i cut 2" out of the solid 3/4" rod part and rewelded the eyelet back on. the 2" shorter shocks didn't work either. good luck...

[MAGFX]

I am watching this thread, intently. I was intending to do this on my lowered ride.

I know that you, 65', and others have shortened the lower rods without success, but I absolutely do not understand why this would not work. It just doesn't make sense. :doh:

Cudos folks, on trying to figure this one out. What a brain teaser.:roll:

I need to get hold of some nivomats.:thumbs_u:

[Hurst Equipped]

...have shortened the lower rods without success, but I absolutely do not understand why this would not work. It just doesn't make sense...


i thought for sure it would work too. makes no sense to me either.

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

Like the old saying.... If there's a will, there's McGuiver :)

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

OK. I have done some research. Here is what I found over at the Cadallic CTS forums.

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/lowercts/index.html

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/gcinstall/index.html

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/loweringshims/index.html

They are having some luck lowering their nivomats with some mods.


I read the Novimat/SACHS paper on the shocks. I think its still possible to mod them for lowering. I think the max lowering on a novimat is 1 inch. Still doing some more research. Will keep you guys posted.

One thing I want to get off my chest. Over 10K members and only the fnky, 65, Rob@ and FX responded. Oh well. Big props and beans to you four.

[Rob@WretchedMS]

Once we have our struts and bushings ready to go you will be seeing more of me.

:banana:

[MAGFX]

Good finds Shag'.:thumbs_u:

The Cad guys theoretically moved the top end of the shock up in relation to the static chassis mount (option A) or moved the bottom end of the shock down in relation to the suspension arm (option B).

These were their only (easy) options due to the fact that the the Cad shock body extends right to the lower mounting eye and the shaft extends up to the threaded end.

The LX's have the option of shortening the lower welded shaft, between the lower eye and the lower end of the shock body, which is theroritically the same as lowering the lower shock mount (option B), which is also exactly what 65S' (and others) did. which did not seem to work. :doh:???????


I have KWII's on now and they work great as long as I am not weighted down in the rear, as I would loose the remainder of my limited suspension travel.

I guess we could get drastic and cut and raise the chassis upper shock mounts. It sure would be a bit difficult to get back to stock, though. :roll: I would have to look, but can we open the hole, between the two upper mounting bolts, and stick the shock down from the top with added spacers? Sorry, just thinking with my keyboard.

I have already sold my SRT8 springs and shocks.:blam: Now, I am leaving the country for a couple of months on Monday, but need to get my hands on a set when I return. I will still watch this thread when I have a chance. I hope this is solved by then.
9950

file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Jonn/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-12.jpgfile:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Jonn/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-13.jpg