Re: [AMC-list] drop plate questions

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

What Mark said. The max you can go is to put the lower spindle bolts in the upper bolt holes on the steering knuckle. That's in the 2.0-2.5" range. I'd use 1/2" plate for that too, or a piece of 1/4" thick channel that' wide enough to fit the spindle in. I'm not sure that will clear, as the channel bends on each side have to go back toward the car. Won't hurt to cut them down to 1" height, and then notch a small area or two to clear steering arms, but no more than half the height (notch shouldn't be more than 1/2" deep). I think a guy did just that using two pieces of angle iron welded together to make a channel, not sure if he went through with it though.

Theoretically you won't have to have it realigned, as all the angles should stay the same. you moved the wheel center, but not the steering knuckle. I think I'd have it realigned anyway, just to make sure.

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Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 07:44:25 -0400
From: "Dan Strohl"<DStrohl@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

So I'm pretty well convinced that drop plates are the way to go to get
the front end of my Spirit AMX lower, and I read up on them on the
forum. I'm still measuring, but I think I'll end up with a total drop in
the range of 1-3/4 inch to 2 inches. Is 1/2-inch thick steel plate
strong enough for this purpose? Is there a maximum drop these plates are
good for? And will the installation of the plates require a re-alignment
afterward?

thanks,
dan

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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:04:32 +0000 (UTC)
From: markprice242<wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx>

1 5/8" is what I ended up with on mine and they are not 1/2" thick, more like 3/8".
I just looked on this computer and have not found the details.

Here are two links to the photobucket pictures and I have the spec sheet on the plates.

http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/Wrambler_242/?action=view&current=drop_plate.jpg

http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/Wrambler_242/?action=view&current=DSCF0004.jpg

http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/Wrambler_242/?action=view&current=DSCF0005.jpg

These plates are the original pair made from the spec sheet and have been on the car for probably 10 years now. No sign of deflection, though thicker is better.

If you try for more drop you have to some serious tweaking as the lower hole gets to close to the upper hole. You can see how I had to grind the heads on the lower grade 8 bolts to come from the back out.
To get it lower you either need to work out studs or move the lower bolts on the spindles to the top bolts on the knuckle/upright,; in that Case I would move to 1/2" plates no doubt about it.

I direct copied you in case the links get trashed by the list.



--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars"
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://www.amc-mag.com
(free download available!)

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