[Keith Seymore]

I think what they are saying is this:

Where the steering knuckle attaches to the lower control arm: instead of the knuckle sitting on top of the arm, they flipped the ball joint so now the knuckle attaches below the arm. That way as you add spacers the knuckle moves down with respect to the control arm attachment or, from the ground's point of view, the front of the car is raised.

The spacers on the top (visible in the picture) are to gain back some of the travel lost in the "jounce" direction, so that the suspension is not immediately topped out during upward travel.

My car also has ball joint spacers on it (perhaps made from the same batch) but as I say it is to allow more front end lift during acceleration thereby aiding traction.

[Jurassicgto]

OK, the lower ball joint points down to the ground? There would have to be enough clearance around the outboard end of the lower control arm so it wouldn't hit the steering knuckle/spindle. Think thats possible? Thanks for your help in understanding this. I raised my front end a bit using taller springs and aluminum ball joint spacers but couldn't get anywhere near the lift these guys did.

[Jerry H.]

JurasicGTO, do you need ALL that much more lift? If not, have you tried loosening your sway bar? Loosen the ends of the links and drill out the front bushings. That will give you some extra lift.

[Jurassicgto]

Do I need that much more lift? Probably not. Do I want that much more lift? Oh yeah! Front sway bar is gone. Loosened control arm bolts and bushings. My car is much heavier than Unswitchable. Stock front end except for fiberglass bumper, hood and the new plastic grilles.

[6567GTO]

Cool stuff Keith! Never heard it explained out before. Always wondered.

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I think what they are saying is this:

Where the steering knuckle attaches to the lower control arm: instead of the knuckle sitting on top of the arm, they flipped the ball joint so now the knuckle attaches below the arm. That way as you add spacers the knuckle moves down with respect to the control arm attachment or, from the ground's point of view, the front of the car is raised.

The spacers on the top (visible in the picture) are to gain back some of the travel lost in the "jounce" direction, so that the suspension is not immediately topped out during upward travel.

My car also has ball joint spacers on it (perhaps made from the same batch) but as I say it is to allow more front end lift during acceleration thereby aiding traction.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 6567GTO

Cool stuff Keith! Never heard it explained out before. Always wondered.

You are welcome, although I don't think they are being entirely up front with us in the article.

See the steep angle on the lower control arms when viewed from the front? Mine are much more horizontal, and I don't think you are going to change that without heavier/longer/stiffer front springs. Even though the article says specifically they re-used the stock springs I tend to doubt it.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

See the steep angle on the lower control arms when viewed from the front? Mine are much more horizontal, and I don't think you are going to change that without heavier/longer/stiffer front springs. Even though the article says specifically they re-used the stock springs I tend to doubt it.

K

Having given this some more thought I am going to retract that statement.

If they took as much weight off the front end as I think they did, plus by moving the rear wheels forward (and shifting more weight rearward) then that front end will come up quite a bit. They probably could re-use the stock springs and get that much lift in conjunction with all the weight removed.

I am, however, NOT going to retract the part about them not being entirely straightforward in other areas. There are a couple items I think are "suspect"...



K

[Jurassicgto]

Looks like they used spacers between the frame and body to get the body higher also.

[b-man]

Phil,

You really need to put a Tempest grille in your car.

Bart

[6567GTO]

Actually Bart, I have a custom set (made by John Gunther) of GTO grilles that are made out of aluminum sheet metal. They look pretty much like the originals and are light as hell.

Originally Posted by b-man

Phil,

You really need to put a Tempest grille in your car.

Bart

[6567GTO]

and not much progress. I had to pull the car out of storage after losing the space. So here she is. I need some motivation so kick my arse people. Get me going again.... please!!

[The Boss]

Last time I saw that trailer somebody was camping on it!

Get moving!

[goatless]

C'mon Phil you've got a the hard stuff done! We've got tto get you back into the Pontiac state of mind- forget about the damn Harley and Mopar. Jim, Chris and myself really are going to have to come down there aren't we.


Musclepalooza is on the 24th up at LVD. If anything is going to get you motivated that'll do it, seeing all of those show cars and the race cars tearing up the track.

[Rob B]

Originally Posted by goatless

C'mon Phil you've got a the hard stuff done! We've got tto get you back into the Pontiac state of mind- forget about the damn Harley and Mopar. Jim, Chris and myself really are going to have to come down there aren't we.


Musclepalooza is on the 24th up at LVD. If anything is going to get you motivated that'll do it, seeing all of those show cars and the race cars tearing up the track.

There you go! Get the boy back on track! He's got a little under 3 months to get it ready for Norwalk!!!

[Hooter]

I think it's time for Jim, Jeremy, and Chris to make a trip to your place for a "Pontiac" intervention to get this thing off ground zero again. Looks great with most of the hard stuff done. Quit chasing the split tail a few nights a week and dedicate it to this project....

[60man]

Well....get at it "Scooter Boy"...
What's keeping ya from getting it done..Harleys,MOPARs.or Hmmmmmmm
Just got to share your time...
Hope you get it done soon. Looking good...Should be a thriller ride !!!
Hope to catch up with ya soon Phill..
Don't forget my moto !!

On another note...I was surprised to see the 58 rear in Dick Jesse's car complete with the funky "U" shape upper control arm. I couldn't wait to get that of my 60 !!! Nothing wrong with diff...just that upper control arm..

[mike nixon]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Having given this some more thought I am going to retract that statement.

If they took as much weight off the front end as I think they did, plus by moving the rear wheels forward (and shifting more weight rearward) then that front end will come up quite a bit. They probably could re-use the stock springs and get that much lift in conjunction with all the weight removed.

I am, however, NOT going to retract the part about them not being entirely straightforward in other areas. There are a couple items I think are "suspect"...



K

Those may be stock springs on Unswitchable but I'lll bet there're Spacers in between the spring and the frame that you can't see. They're probably a 6 cyl spring also, They tend to unload quicker forcing the chassis down on the rear.

That's my guess, there's waaaayyy too much hieght on that chassis for a correct application spring.

Mike

[Jerry H.]

Originally Posted by 6567GTO

and not much progress. I had to pull the car out of storage after losing the space. So here she is. I need some motivation so kick my arse people. Get me going again.... please!!

Although no where near a 'gasser' or as radial as your car, maybe this is a little motivation.

[wd45gto]

that car looks great jerry!!!!

[wd45gto]

65 gassers rock! thanks for all your insperration and photos. need motavation just reread your thred,its got me motavated.(sorry dont spel well)