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Technical => Driveline => Topic started by: Rogue Trooper on January 17, 2010, 08:37:45 AM

Title: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 17, 2010, 08:37:45 AM
I'd like to ask a favour of someone with a facelift model SWB van that is still relatively standard.

When your van is next sitting on a level surface would you be able to measure from the ground to the top of the front wheel arch for me. It would be good if you could measure both sides and take an average just in case of spring sag.

It has to be the facelift model as these came out with 14" wheels and larger wheel arches than the original.

The reason I need this is that because I have a mid-mounted engine the weight has been moved back off the front cross member and as a result the front of the van is sitting much higher than it should be. I have to get my front springs reworked to bring the front back down to the correct ride height and thereby hopefully helping to sort out the wheel camber at the same time.

If a couple of people could do this that would be even better.

Thanks
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Warren on January 17, 2010, 09:51:11 AM
Rouge

What is a "FaceLift" model ?

Warren
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 17, 2010, 10:30:26 AM
The facelift model is the 80's square shaped look like Jeff's.

It has the big black plastic grille and the large square tailights.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Jeff on January 17, 2010, 10:43:07 AM

Rogue, that was interesting!
RHS front........720mm
LHS front........735mm
Rears..............755mm

Thats on 205x70s  pointing straight ahead. My van rides high....I'm sure, because the ld28 is set back about 150mm,..... and it slants to the right, so that may account for the lower height on that side.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 17, 2010, 11:52:09 AM
That was quick. Thanks Jeff.

Mine is currently sitting at...

Both Front.......765mm
Rears...............755mm

That's sitting on 245/60/14s all round.

The front is measured at the moment with no engine in. I was going to put that in this weekend but our ratshit summer put paid to that quite nicely so it is now postponed till next weekend.

The tyre pressure in the rear is down a little from sitting so long so that may come up a couple of mm but won't be terribly much. Hope we can get a few more measurements from a couple of others to compare.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Marky on January 17, 2010, 12:00:39 PM
 L + R front 720mm

L + R Rear 750mm

I running  16" Rims with 225/65 tyres
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 17, 2010, 12:12:24 PM
Thanks Marky but is yours the facelift model? I understand that there were very few of them in Aus. Wheels need to be 14"s as well to try and get as accurate an indication as possible.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Jeff on January 17, 2010, 12:22:26 PM


The tyre pressure in the rear is down a little from sitting so long so that may come up a couple of mm but won't be terribly much.

Careful Rogue, or you may end up with flat spots in your tyres. Best to pump them high if its going to be sitting long.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Marky on January 17, 2010, 12:24:54 PM
Nup sorry Rogue mines a CF1......

Not many CF2s here in oz   

whats the deal with calling it a facelift Model?

CF2 is easier to understand ;D
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 17, 2010, 12:28:47 PM
It is easier but not correct I'm afraid. Very few of the facelift models were actually CF2s. The CF2 came along later after the facelift and was another type of beast again with things like front discs as standard equipment.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 17, 2010, 12:31:53 PM

Careful Rogue, or you may end up with flat spots in your tyres. Best to pump them high if its going to be sitting long.

Yep, correct. They're not too bad and I do give them a bit of air and rotate them periodically. I've just been waiting recently for the engine to go in as I have to push the van out of the garage to do that and it makes it easier for me to get to the drivers side because that is normally jammed up against the wall.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Snoopy on January 17, 2010, 07:24:43 PM
Hi Rogue

You are welcome to come to Otaki and take measurements. My 84 LWB (apart from Holden 202 transplant) is standard running gear sitting on 185 SR 14 in front and 195 SR 14 rear. All still original but that will eventually change!! Call me 027 2563311 if interested. I am home all week.

Cheers

John
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 18, 2010, 06:33:37 AM
Thanks for the offer but Otaki is probably a little too far to go just to run a tape measure down the side of your front wheels. If you happen to be out in your van with a tape measure a quick couple of measurements from the ground to the bottom of the wheel arch would be great.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Snoopy on January 18, 2010, 07:29:18 AM
No worries ... Both front 725mm. Rears don't count as appears to have heavier duty springs (ex carpet layer van) but for what its worth 825mm. Bear in mind it is LWB.

Cheers
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 18, 2010, 10:05:10 AM
Thanks very much. Looking like around the 725mm mark might be the one to go for although that's with just 2 measurements.

Anyone else? Some of the UK guys perhaps?
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Jeff on January 18, 2010, 04:13:37 PM
You could ask on CF-UK , as they have many facelift models there. The early ones have largely rusted out.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 18, 2010, 06:56:31 PM
Thanks for the suggestion Jeff. I'll see if I can get anymore replies here and if not I'll give it a whirl. I generally try to avoid joining forums just to ask one question.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 21, 2010, 05:20:18 AM
I don't like bumping posts but I'd like to see if I can get one or 2 more replies to this before I post on the UK site.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Jeff on January 21, 2010, 06:22:33 PM
I was looking at a sales brochure for a CF2, and that gives the load height as 600 mm. you should be able to work it out from there.
On the UK site, there is a link in "A short history of the CF" to many sales brochures with all sorts of interesting information. If it won't come up for you , PM me.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Bas NZ on January 21, 2010, 07:24:26 PM
Rouge, mine sits on L-740mm  R-740mm sitting on 205x75x14 with a clearance of 100mm between guard and tyre. Bas take into account mine was a Mk1 turned Mk2.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 22, 2010, 09:37:32 AM
I was looking at a sales brochure for a CF2, and that gives the load height as 600 mm. you should be able to work it out from there.
On the UK site, there is a link in "A short history of the CF" to many sales brochures with all sorts of interesting information. If it won't come up for you , PM me.

Thanks Jeff but if I'm looking at the same brochure then that is taken at the back which is going to vary with load. I need the front and it needs to be to the wheel arch as that is the adjacent reference point.


Rouge, mine sits on L-740mm  R-740mm sitting on 205x75x14 with a clearance of 100mm between guard and tyre. Bas take into account mine was a Mk1 turned Mk2.

Thanks Bas. Sounds like you might be a bit high in the front. Might be the weight of the fibreglass shell on the back?
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Bas NZ on January 22, 2010, 07:36:23 PM
Rogue, van has always sat this high even with the mk1 front on, have checked other ambo's with the factory fitted 202 and they sit the same. Had a talk to a guy who build these, did the engine swap front discs etc and he said they also reset the front end when the 202's were fitted. Well aleast I have the set up for the transplant to an 8 one day.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Abodator on January 22, 2010, 08:07:38 PM
Thanks very much. Looking like around the 725mm mark might be the one to go for although that's with just 2 measurements.

Anyone else? Some of the UK guys perhaps?

I am not from UK but from UA. :-) My Beddy has the next dimensions what you asking about: front - 712 mm and rear - 714 mm (and present time, no cargo inside). But I don't know for sure is that standard dimensions for my van. It is CF280 Mk2 1980. LWB. GM 2,3L diesel. ZF 4-speed gearbox.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: outriding on January 23, 2010, 11:51:22 AM
Hi Outriding

That looks like a nice, relatively standard, facelift SWB CF you have there. Would you mind cruising over to this thread and doing a quick couple of measurements for me? I'd really appreciate it.

http://www.buga.com.au/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=2&topic=1725.0 (http://www.buga.com.au/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=2&topic=1725.0)

Thanks very much if you're able.


I will measure it but I can only do that next weekend.
It's all stock so you can compare the original heights.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: outriding on January 23, 2010, 12:07:54 PM
I took this from a 1984 spec brochure, does it help?

(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8885/br26p4.jpg)
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Rogue Trooper on January 23, 2010, 02:20:04 PM
I have already got that thanks. Grabbed it from the UK site. The interesting thing is that it gives all the other heights as 'laden' or 'unladen' but not the 'overall height'.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Jeff on January 23, 2010, 02:32:48 PM
Quote from: Abodator link=topic=1725.msg16373#msg16373 date=1264154858
[/quote

I am not from UK but from UA. :-) My Beddy has the next dimensions what you asking about: front - 712 mm and rear - 714 mm (and present time, no cargo inside). But I don't know for sure is that standard dimensions for my van. It is CF280 Mk2 1980. LWB. GM 2,3L diesel. ZF 4-speed gearbox.

Abodator, Your van is a mk 1 the Mk2 came out in late 84. The Mk1 facelift, with the square plastic grill like Outriding's and mine came out in late 80 or early 81.
Most people prefer the look of the Mk 1 and it is no different mechanically than the facelift model.
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Abodator on January 23, 2010, 04:56:18 PM
Abodator, Your van is a mk 1 the Mk2 came out in late 84. The Mk1 facelift, with the square plastic grill like Outriding's and mine came out in late 80 or early 81.
Most people prefer the look of the Mk 1 and it is no different mechanically than the facelift model.

Ops. I will know from now. Thanks. ;-)
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: gazza on September 26, 2010, 06:19:22 PM
was,nt the differance due to early 4 pot motors b4 the 6 cylinder motors went in by holden  springs  sizes??
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: Jeff on September 26, 2010, 06:54:42 PM
That was the inspiration of Australia. The rest of the world only had 4s. >:(
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: gazza on September 26, 2010, 07:18:04 PM
we just missed out on v8 ,imagine if you could still by one today with current spec v8,s gen 3 beddie some one photoshop that  mmmm,,, 
Title: Re: Front Spring Height
Post by: outriding on November 03, 2010, 11:42:55 AM
Ok, so I measured my body height and its ridiculous.. it looks like a 4x4...
I'm looking at getting some drop spindles from a guy who's going to have some custom ones made in the UK. Planned drop will be 2,5 inches (6.35cm). There's about 10cm gap from the tire to the fender, so with the drop it will be around 4cm. Nice.
Note that the van is stock, empty inside and rolling on stock rims and tires 195 C 14

(http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/1593/dsc01763d.jpg)
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