[thefirebirdm@n]

Working on a '68 Firebird Convertible, non-A/C car. Could someone that has a similar stock 68 running stock springs and stock 14x6 rims get me a measurement, on level ground, from the ground up to the fender at the top of the curve. I am trying to determine what the stock height of the fender would have been in relation to the ground. Service Manual only gives height from ground to rocker panel. I installed 17" YO Rally IIs in place of the stock 14x6 rims and installed new springs from Eaton and having serious clearance problems. If I can get a stock measurement or very close to it, I can compare to where the fenders on my car sit now. Appreciate the help!!

[GregL]

Hey Jimmy,
Mine measures up at just about 27 and a half inches. That's on a stock rim with a 215/70/14 tire and stock replacement front springs. It may be a hair higher than original because all parts are new right now so spring may settle just a bit after a period of time, but I would expect no more than half an inch or so.
Greg

[thefirebirdm@n]

Greg, thanks I really appreciate it. I just checked an online calc and your current tire is exactly 1" taller in over diameter from the original factory tires which were 195-70/14s. Given that your fender may be sitting 1" higher but as you said it may still settle .5", I think your measurement is likely within 1" of stock height. Have you put any miles on those springs yet? My springs settled more after I put a few miles on it. If anyone thinks this is wrong, please let us know.

Just out of curiosity who did you get your springs from?

I just checked my fender measurement and I'm a hair over 25" so the 1" drop springs from Eaton actually dropped 2" or I have 1" of sag somewhere in my front suspension. I also checked measurements between the 14s we were running and 17s that are on it now and there is only 1/4" difference in height. 14s were 24.25" tall and the 17s are 24.5" tall.

[GregL]

Jimmy,
I purchased my springs from Fast Undercar here in the desert, part number SPI 585-1056. I have not put any miles on the car yet.
Greg

[silverbullet07]

I have a 400 HO convertible with the hd springs. My front are stock and I have the original 14 " wheel. My tire are 205/75 14. My height is right at 25 3/4.

[thefirebirdm@n]

Silver bullet is that the measurement to the top of the tire or to the fender? Online tire calc puts that combo at 26.3" tall but their calcs seem to be about .5" off from what I measured on my actual 14s and 17s and what the tire calc said they should be.

If that's your measurement to the top of the tire what is your measurement to the fender?

[silverbullet07]

That measurement was to the bottom curve on the fender above the tire.


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[silverbullet07]

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[thefirebirdm@n]

Very interesting. Mine measured right at 25", so mine is 3/4" lower. And if Greg measured at 27.5" that suggests his are sitting high. My fenders did drop some after I drove it so Greg's will likely settle some too after he puts some miles on it. So it sounds like stock ride height should actually be much closer to 26".

What measurement do you get from the ground to the top of your tires? Would you mind sending me a full shot of that front wheel so I can see how it sits in the wheel whell? I'll post some shots of where mine sit right now.

[silverbullet07]

Here are some pics.






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[silverbullet07]

Here is how the front and rear sets.



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[thefirebirdm@n]

My measurement:

[thefirebirdm@n]

And a view of the current clearance:

[thefirebirdm@n]

Thanks for the pics. Beautiful Firebird BTW!!! Love the colors. What tire pressure are you running in those tires? Prob spot on but just making sure I check all the variables. Mine were just mounted a few weeks ago.

Looking like I am going to either go back to a stock height spring or a 1" drop with a stiffer spring rate that doesn't have as much travel as the stock spring.

[silverbullet07]

32 psi. Just checked and it was spot on. Your look to be about 3/4 lower.