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TR2/3/3A TR3A Ride Height

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PatGalvin

PatGalvin

Jedi Warrior
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Hey Guys

Well, maybe I'll start her up tomorrow and see if my engine build was successful. The metal tube that connects water pump to bottom of radiator was so badly corroded that I had to toss it and order one from Goleta. So, another few days delay. Cranked her over, got oil pressure, and verified starter. Installed a cheap $18 temp gauge to replace my broken capillary tube unit. Centering jets in SU carbs is a PITA.

To keep my progress moving, I pulled the driveshaft out of storage and measured for fitting to the HVDA tranny. Had to take care off jackstands and onto wheels to do measurement. Good news -driveshaft is right length without any mod! But my ride height is pretty aggressive. Per TSI Ted's reccs, I installed his lowered coil springs without aluminum spring spacers. With engine and tranny on frame, the front of my frame is 4.5 inches off the ground. Will be even lower with the body on and with my svelte self in the drivers seat. Rear part of frame is about 7 inches clear from the garage floor (the flat part of the frame, not the portion where it angles upwards in rear).

Any concerns with ride height at 4 to 4.5 inches in front? Thanks for any tips.

Had photos, but my very smart 17 year old accidentally deleted from the camera.... Will retake some pics this eve.

Pat
 
hey Pat. just a fyi double check the lenght of your drive shaft. Also do not use the collier that was supplied with the HVDA kit. The drive shaft MUST be solid. The slip is in the tail piece. What I found out was you can't have two slips on a drive shaft. The drive shaft will slip forward and hit the oil seal, then you lose all your oil, then you lose your transmission. Then you remove and replace with a another transmission. But I learned a good lesson. P.M. If you have any questions.
 
PatGalvin said:
Any concerns with ride height at 4 to 4.5 inches in front?
Click to expand...

My TR-6 is always a couple of inches high after it's been jacked up. It takes a short drive for it to settle down to it's regular height. You may want to get it back on the road before you change anything concerning the height.
 
davidk said:
PatGalvin said:
Any concerns with ride height at 4 to 4.5 inches in front?
Click to expand...

My TR-6 is always a couple of inches high after it's been jacked up. It takes a short drive for it to settle down to it's regular height. You may want to get it back on the road before you change anything concerning the height.
Click to expand...

Ditto - I lost sleep on the TR4a ride height but once driven, not just bounced, she'll be OK. Both TR6s behaved this way as well.
 
Well if I read the responses rightly, the feeling is it may be lower once the suspension has settled.

I personally think a ride height of 4" would be a nuisance for where and how I drive. Just too many speed bumps, gas station driveways & rough roads in my neighborhoods.

I measured my TR3A and it is just a bit more than 5" at the low point (which is the radiator guard).
 
Thanks Geo Hahn.

That is exactly what I was thinking - it might be aggressively low. I may go ahead and put the aluminum spring spacers back in and see if I pick up another half inch, at least.

Quick question: How difficult is it to change out shocks and springs with the body on the car? Pretty easy with the body off (just takes a bit of time).

Pat
 
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