Alignment Before Body Installation

[gbranham]

Should I wait for an alignment until after I finish dropping the body on and installing the external accoutrement? I know it won't add too much weight, but just curious what the prevailing thought is here.

Thanks,

Greg

[rich grsc]

Set your ride height and go have an alignment done. After you install the body and drive it a few miles, you can check the ride height. If it has settled just reset it to the original setting you used. A change of a 1/4" isn't going to change the alignment.

[gbranham]

Roger that, thanks.

[Mike.Bray]

What Rich said, do it now. much much easier.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Set ride height and align it. Add or subtract weight and if you return it to that ride height the alignment will be the same.

Jeff

[gbranham]

Thanks, guys. I have my marching orders!

Greg

[rkl20678]

Building away on my 289 and I understand the original question here but I do not follow the “ride height” discussion to imply that it is selectable. I thought that is designed in by the frame, control arms, springs and tire/wheels. What am I missing?

[gbranham]

Building away on my 289 and I understand the original question here but I do not follow the “ride height” discussion to imply that it is selectable. I thought that is designed in by the frame, control arms, springs and tire/wheels. What am I missing?

You can compress (raise ride height) or decompress (lower ride height) the springs via the collar on the threaded sleeve on the strut. Pretty standard coilover setup on many sports cars and aftermarket suspension systems.

[i.e.427]

We align every car before the body is installed.

Frank

[StangRacer]

Where are you all measuring the ride height from? bottom of the frame rails? If so, where on the frame rails are you taking the measurements? For example, in the middle of the front suspension pick up points...

[CraigS]

Convention on FFRs is measure to the bottom of the 4" main frame tubes at both ends.

[MaxVmo]

And what’s the recommendation for the height?

[Jeff Kleiner]

And what’s the recommendation for the height?

For a street car I go 4"-4 1/2" in front and 1/2" more in the rear

[MaxVmo]

Thank you sir!

[CraigS]

A bit of additional detail. The front and rear will be at different heights but you want the left and the right to be the same height. Assure that by counting how many threads are exposed on the coil overs. Click to enlarge and see the blue arrow.
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