[Jimbobeast]

I'm wondering about the ride height on my 1970 convertible. The springs are new and supposedly identical to stock, but the ride height looks high. In most of the advertisements and GM promo pictures, the ride height looks identical to mine.
Can someone measure the distance from the floor to the bottom of the door jamb area and let me know if I'm in the ballpark?

[Jimbobeast]

My stock 1970 convertible sits 12" from the floor to the bottom of the rocker molding area. Does that look about right?

[Jimbobeast]

The Service manual states that a Tempest with HD springs should be 10.5" at the rocker. Mine is 12"
Do you think it's worth dismantling the suspension and cutting the coils for 1.5"? Also, will the springs compress a little with use (probably a lot of miles before that happens).

[b-man]

Buy some new springs from a reputable supplier who actually sells the correct springs.

Those springs will never settle any appreciable amount during your lifetime. Cutting the rears isn’t really possible because they’re pigtailed on both ends.

[Jimbobeast]

Which supplier would you suggest?

[b-man]

I saw a couple members recommending Coil Spring Specialties in KS here in this thread:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=856143

[Sprocket]

You may already know this but '70 shop manual says for All Tempest & GP Models (except HD springs and station wagons) that Front is 9.60" measured 32.00" rearward from the centerline of the front wheel and Rear is 9.10" measured 19.00" forward from the centerline of the rear wheel. You are correct that HD springs is 10.50" front and rear measured in the same places.

[The Champ]

Your 12" measurement as shown in the picture is not a complete car. Besides the hood and top, what else is missing from the car? Have you lightened the car in any other way?

Another variable is the actual diameter of the tires you have on the car - if they are taller or shorter than the OE tires, that could make your measurement better or worse.

[Jimbobeast]

Other than the hood and the top fabric, the car is done and all stock, including the tires.
New, correct springs are ordered and on their way.

[Jimbobeast]

Originally Posted by Sprocket

You may already know this but '70 shop manual says for All Tempest & GP Models (except HD springs and station wagons) that Front is 9.60" measured 32.00" rearward from the centerline of the front wheel and Rear is 9.10" measured 19.00" forward from the centerline of the rear wheel. You are correct that HD springs is 10.50" front and rear measured in the same places.

Sprocket, sir, you were absolutely right and I was way off. After installing the hood and re-measuring, the front measurement is 10.25" and it visually looks better. So, no new springs after all (I was dreading that install anyway). I'll wait to measure the back until the convertible top is on and the spare is in the trunk, but I'm betting it will be OK.
Photos to follow.

[tjs72lemans]

I think you're fine. Also, when the weight of top is lowered in rear, the rear goes down more.

[The Champ]

I figured the hood would make a significant difference. Glad you don't have to remove and replace your springs.