did you measure the drop at the fenders? did you get the full 2in?

sam

 

I don't remember the number but I think it was closer to 1 1/2 inches and they weren't a bolt in, had to do a few small mods to make them fit. You would think for that kind of money everything would slip right on but then again silly me.

Chuck

 

yeh, for that money you would expect more.. one of the things holding me back.. so many other things to spend $500 on!..

what engine is in your truck? I am running the heavy 460..


Sam

 

351W with a AOD trans.

 

Chuck, exactly what mods were required?

 

This is some info that I posted after I did the install.

A friend and I just finished installing the fatman dropped spindles on my Volare front susp.

In my case it was a little more involved then just a simple bolt in.

Had to grind the caliper mounting bracket like they said but then we had to grind about 3/32 off of the outside surface next to the rotor so the rotor would turn.

Then we had to remove approx 1/4 off of the length of there spindle to steering arm bolts it was hitting the torsion bar mounts,preventing a full lock to lock turn.

Finally the brake hose had to be moved to miss the ball joint stud.

They only cost $505.00 plus shipping. Why would I think they would bolt in with no problems?

Chuck

I also had a prob with the lower arms when they did the alignment. The person who did the alignment moved the upper arm out which pushed the rotor into the lower arm flange . so this idiot drove the truck around and told me I had a driveshaft rubbing because I was so low. Moved it about a foot and showed him the problem so they charged me $20.00 to fix it and I got to buy another set of rotors.

It would have been nice if Fatman and his designers would have thought about manufacturing tolerances.

Also I forgot that I have changed speedometers so there must be a bit over 2000 miles on this arrangement and it works great. I think the shocks are KYB from summet.

 

Chuck,

one more question

can you measure the bottom of the trailing edge of the front fender,
where it connects to the running board for me..

I am at 5in without the drop spindles..

Sam

 

Just seen your question I will measure sunday.

 

Still seems weird particularily if the front is stiff, like mentioned in this thread that frontend errs on the side of mushy. Do all 4 corners seem equally stiff? I would back down on the torsion bars some and remove a leaf. I don't care for that rear shock angle but am not sure that it would be causing a problem.

I have not had my volare suspension apart is it possible to index the torsion bars and have it really stiff at his ride height (that looks fine btw.)

 

No.. you really can't get them installed wrong. they only fit one way..


sure seems like a lot of space around that front tire, meaning it is cranked really tight, but the arm pics don't show it. (you can see my gallery for 15s & 18s spacing)..

Sam

 

Thanks for the replies and thoughts...... never got too much of a chance to check it out yet......still working on my friends 66 Mustang....but the rear shocks do have a weird angle I thought they would have been straighter but that is where they were and that is where the mounts are??????
I did notice that the front clip isn't installed the "normal" way... it looks like the clip was set against the lower frame and then gusseted in rather than notching the frame to accept the shape of the Volare clip ?????? So that may explain the higher riding height............ I assume it was done like that to level the truck front to rear....... many other neat ideas on this truck as well.
Hopefully tomorrow I can try adjusting the torsion bars.......... not sure if I dare take out another leaf........isn't 4 the limit or can I go to 3??? Guess since it never hauls much it would not hurt anything.

 

Morning,

Measured fender, it is 4 1/2 inches and running board is approx 5 inches. I now seem to have enough susp travel that it is fun to drive. I bought the truck with the Volare all ready installed so you may have yours deeper into the frame then this one is.


Chuck

 

thanks.. mine is at the height the templates put it.. I've been concerned about the amount of susp travel, so this may be a change I need to do. Want it to be fun for sure..

Sam

 

If the frame wasn't notched the front suspension will never be as low as it should be (unless you consider dropped spindles or remove and remount the Volare crossmember with a notch). I'd stick with four leaves in the rear. I remember an old thread about this where somebody tried three but went back to four since it was too soft.

 

wow that thing is set up high, mine is probably six inches deeper! the end of the other torsion bar, (round thing in bottom left of first pic) has about 1/2 inch of it above the bottom of the frame rail.

I don't think thats the stock rear shock mounting location, I thought stock they were behind the axle and angled to the center some. I don't think removeing a leaf would cause any problems, other than making the ride soft, which isn't your problem, I would disconnect one end of the shocks first and jump up and down on it to verify they are not a problem.