Notices
GM Drivetrain & Suspension Chassis | Transmission| Driveshaft | Gears/Rear End/Differential | Traction Aids

Ride height for track vs street... What's ideal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-11-2010, 07:50 PM
  #1  
Hunt&Fisherator
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
 
silver-mod-o's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SETx
Posts: 14,314
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
Default Ride height for track vs street... What's ideal?

My next suspension setup will be street driven but needs to be pretty much optimal for the track. This discussion is isn't really geared for springs/spring rate, or shock setup but ride height, weight distribution etc.

This is mainly a discussion for reg cab 2wd trucks, but all theories are welcome if applicable.

Most of the trucks we see do well no matter the suspension "type" end up at about the ride height of a 4/6 or 5/7 one way or the other. I'm wanting to keep my truck as stock appearing as possible for many reasons, but not having it 1" off the dirt is a must. For one, I don't want everyone to be visually attracted to the truck, I want it to blend in as much as practical. Also, I don't want the attention of every Crown Vic with a light bar, nor do I want every 18yr old around with a v6 mustang wanting to race just because "it's low, so it's gotta have something done to it"... I'm going with ladder bars out back. But I'd like to keep it around 4" lower than stock in the rear, I've got 2" spindles for the front, all I'm really looking to do is make it level front to rear. No notching will be done, and I will be able to dial anti-squat into the rear to keep from bottoming on launch... Just wondering if anyone has seen good 60ft times on a 2wd truck that's not very low. I know there's a lot more to a good 60ft than ride height alone but it's your starting point for suspension setup, as well as what usually determines the tire size you end up with...

Anyway, discuss...
Old 10-11-2010, 07:58 PM
  #2  
12 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (13)
 
dlt76028's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Crowley, TX
Posts: 5,883
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

stock height with drop shackles seems to do well at the track.
Old 10-11-2010, 08:08 PM
  #3  
Hunt&Fisherator
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
 
silver-mod-o's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SETx
Posts: 14,314
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

I've noticed that, I think a lot of that has to do with the pinion angle it creates. It makes it more negative which it needs more of from the factory.
Old 10-11-2010, 08:16 PM
  #4  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
texasbullseye89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Huntsville, Tx
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have 2" shackles and on the street even with just a little gas and a clutch drop I can spin through first and chirp second and I'm not putting too many ponies to the ground. Maybe with ladder bars and some adjustable shocks it would be different for you.
Old 10-11-2010, 08:28 PM
  #5  
Hunt&Fisherator
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
 
silver-mod-o's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SETx
Posts: 14,314
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

I'm talking more about launching on a prepped track with slicks etc... I know I'll have a good advantage with the ladder bars and double adjusable coilovers. I don't mind driving a low truck every day at all but for the reasons I mentioned, I don't. Ive had them and daily driven the low stuff and I enjoy it, but not for this build.
Old 10-11-2010, 08:55 PM
  #6  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (13)
 
mhotrodscooter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: jennings,louisiana
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I did what (litreddevil) did. Seems to work good! My biggest problem was my G80. It almost felt like it was going to pull the driverside front tire.
Old 10-11-2010, 10:04 PM
  #7  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (8)
 
quicksilverado's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Marietta, Ga.
Posts: 3,944
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Mine is stock height. It easily does 1.5x short times on a prepped track and slicks. No suspension mods at all.
Old 10-11-2010, 11:01 PM
  #8  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
ap2002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 6,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Just 2" rear drop.to level it, or 2/4 max, i have a 2/4 and mine sixtys decent, i believe v8 kevin also had just shackles for a long time and his also did good
Old 10-12-2010, 01:17 AM
  #9  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (11)
 
Dezert1500's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Height does not matter at the track. Pick your height and dial in your suspension for that height.
Old 10-12-2010, 06:03 PM
  #10  
11 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (48)
 
fastrt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Midlothian, Texas
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

i like the shackle idea.


Quick Reply: Ride height for track vs street... What's ideal?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:42 AM.