1955 Ford Customline Ride Height.

Phil Gillespie

Phil Gillespie

Well-known member
1955 Ford Customline has been fitted with new rear springs.
Previous owner had this work done. Looks ok maybe still sitting a little high.
Can any body give the ride height, as taken from centre of rear tail light to ground?
Many thanks in advance.
Phil NZ
 
The factory trim height should be found in the 1955 FORD WORKSHOP MANUAL if you have a copy.

Do you want the factory stance or do you want to change it?
 
KULTULZ said:
The factory trim height should be found in the 1955 FORD WORKSHOP MANUAL if you have a copy.

Do you want the factory stance or do you want to change it?
Click to expand...
Just want the factory stance to cross check it. Not looking to change it.
Dont have the factory manual.
Thanks Phil Nz
 
Those manuals are available as reprints from a number of sources. But given your location, an online version might be better. They're only around $17.00 US.. I don’t know these guys, but you can view the sample and check around.
 
I know that’s in the manual someplace, but I dug mine out and damn if I can find it. If some knows, point me in the right direction.

I posted in the social group over on the HAMB, but this is all I got back so far. Courtesy of jimmy six, who owns a 56

“Real ride height is measured at the frame rails. The frame should be parallel to the ground thru the flat area at the firewall to where the front of the rear spring perch mount.
Rear springs all have sag after a year of being new and so o the fronts but not as quick. Hope you can get good numbers .”
 
Phil Gillespie said:
Have only come up with overall height being mentioned. In vicinity of 61".

Phil NZ
Click to expand...

VICINITY is only close in horse shoes, hand grenades and thermonuclear warfare.

Proper trim height is dictated by body style, drive-line, size of tires, etc. Spring rates (and maintained suspension) is what gives correct trim, not vehicle roof height off a level floor.

Let me venture back into the BLACK PIT and see if I can find my copy.

A TECH not only needs it for crash repair but also aligning the suspension.

If the attached ILL shows large enough, it is a GENERIC diagram (not FORD ) of how TRIM HEIGHT is measured -

2nd ILL attached I believe is from a FORD WSM -
 

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  • TRIM HEIGHT - 1961-62 MERC WSM.jpg
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Last edited:
So I finally took delivery of the 55 Customline.
Rechecked the height front and rear.
Front Headlight centre to floor: 840mm.
Rear: Tail light centre to floor: 860mm.
Sitting on Cooper tyres 205 70R 15 all round.
There is at present 6 leaves either side. Reported that an extra leaf was added. This is evident by inspection. So by eye up slightly in the back car unlaidened.
I can live with this as visually looks fine.
Phil NZ
 
Passenger cars had 5 leaf rear springs. With the police interceptor option they had 6 leafs. Wagons and Courier had 7 leafs.

Sal
 
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