Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Third Generation F-Body Message Boards (https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/)
-   Suspension and Chassis (https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/suspension-chassis/)
-   -   Diy weight jacks? (https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/suspension-chassis/707526-diy-weight-jacks.html)

Nighthawkf-117 08-25-2014 11:15 AM

Diy weight jacks?
 
Has anyone done a diy weight Jack set up? Seems like it's not to complicated of a part. And I can't justify spending ground controls ridiculous price.
Is it just two plates which the spring sits in and another plate that sits in the upper spring pocket with a threaded rod connecting the two plates which adjusts the lower plate?
Anyone used the weld in kind that are on speedway?
Seems to me that as long as the right materials are used it wouldn't be that hard to fabricate.

MoJoe 08-25-2014 08:41 PM

Re: Diy weight jacks?
 
That's always the challenge. I've looked at engine build and mods, and buying tools and supplies for a single job is turning out the be cheaper and faster to "sub-contract" out the work. Parts too.

More power to you if you can fab your own!

Nighthawkf-117 08-25-2014 09:34 PM

Re: Diy weight jacks?
 
That what im thinking. Plus the satisfaction of making your own parts is worth the hassel of learning to do so. Does anyone have any experience with these?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/afc-20191/overview/

Base91 08-26-2014 10:23 AM

Re: Diy weight jacks?
 
As long as you can do the fabrication should be fine if you're basically doing the same design. Just keep "...as long as the right materials are used..." in mind. I bought a Dorman replacement part that is supposed to be spring steel and I could bend it by hand!

Tibo 08-26-2014 11:55 AM

Re: Diy weight jacks?
 
This question has popped up a few times and one senior member (was it here or frrax?) Actually did it but then turned around and advised people not to do it because of all the time and money he had involved for the correct supplies. I'm not much help other than that, I can't even remember which forum it was in....

InfernalVortex 08-26-2014 05:59 PM

Re: Diy weight jacks?
 
You can save $100-$150 over ground control doing it yourself if you get the right springs the first time.

Can you weld? Are you okay with taking the k-member out of the car?

Cut the factory front spring pocket out.

Put this in its place:

http://pitstopusa.com/i-5066710-alls...ate-5-o-d.html

Then you just drill a hole to get access from the engine bay. Use a weight jack bolt and a spring cup on the front and you're done.

http://pitstopusa.com/i-5066711-alls...ing-plate.html

http://pitstopusa.com/i-5070603-alls...hread-1-8.html

For the rears it's easiest to just use that adjustable cup you found.

http://pitstopusa.com/i-5066714-alls...ng-spacer.html

I'd try to match the spring cups to spring diameter... but it's up to you... Exact parts I cant help with since I never got around to doing it... but it's not that hard. Like I said, hard part is figuring out a spring rate + height that will give you a decent adjustability range.

It seems something between 150-250 is common for the rears, and 600-1000 is common for the fronts. People used to go by a 4:1 rule I think, but there's been a lot of experimentation and ideal spring rates are so dependent on how the rest of the car is set up that it's hard to really say.

I was aiming for 700 lb fronts, and a 175 lb rear, and from my research it seemed that my best bet was a 5.5x8.5 700lb spring for the front, and a 5x10.5 175 lb spring in the rear. But I cant confirm or deny that gives you a decent range. The rears are the hardest because 200+ lbs and 10.5" springs are a little too tall. But less than that, and the next most common 8" tall spring is too short and you use up all your adjustment getting it to the right height. This is where the R&D and "bolt in" nature of the ground control option shines. Springs are around $40 per spring. I cant confirm these are right, but they're in the ballpark based on what I was able to source through various places on the internets. But all these cars weigh differently. Almost impossible to know for sure without some trial and error.

By my math, the parts above add up to around $300-$350 depending on which variation of parts you get. The GC weight jacks can be had for $450 or thereabouts with springs that you can be reasonably sure will fit fine and requires no welding on the car.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:48 AM.


© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands