[DeTomaso] Ride height

Fri Oct 22 18:28:13 EDT 2010

Michael has got it right on this case.

When measuring from the ground to the top of the rear fender arch on a 
Pantera, I find the passenger side to generally be higher off the ground. 
On my 73, the difference is about 3/4".  It is NOT due to the shocks or a 
difference in spring perch; rather, it is due to the body being offset on 
the frame.  Don, your car is a GT5 conversion; so, who knows what reference 
point was used to set the fenders.

I've addressed this issue years ago.  I realize this condition is fairly 
common to Panteras in the Space City Chapter: I've checked them.  If others 
on the list are willing.  Please measure your cars from floor to top of rear 
fender arch on each side and let us know what you see.

I played with my adjustable shocks to learn what would be necessary to level 
the body and it would have significantly compromised the corner weighting of 
the car.  In fact the rear lower a-arms would have been at visually obvious 
different angles off the chassis.

While it is possible that your springs have sagged, my money is on a body 
offset to the frame.  That said, I would also feel compelled to switch the 
shocks side to side to see whether there is a difference for peace of mind

I would not advise using adjustable ride height shocks to correct the 
ailment.  That would compromise your handling.

JT
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "michael at michaelshortt.com" <michaelsavga at gmail.com>
To: "Don Franck" <panteradon at gmail.com>
Cc: "Forest Goodhart" <forestg at att.net>; "DeTomaso Forum" 
<detomaso at realbig.com>
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2010 1:57 PM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Ride height

> When the time comes for you to actually set your ride height, get a front
> end alignment, etc.
>
> If you want it done right, place your weight in the driver's seat and
> driver's floor area,
>
> So of you weight 235 lbs, go borrow some weights, bags of play sand, etc.
> and put them in the car.
>
> If you normally have a co-pilot, do the same for that side, I normally
> don't, so I leave it empty.
>
> That's what we always did for race cars and it's the only way to really 
> make
> it correct, track true and be
> balanced.
>
> Having said that, have 1/2 a tank of gas, that way, you're equally wrong 
> at
> full and empty.
> plus all the BS that you might carry in the front trunk and the luggage
> area.
>
>
> Michael
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 2:48 PM, Don Franck <panteradon at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Now we are getting somewhere.  Thanks guys.
>>
>> On Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 1:28 PM, Forest Goodhart <forestg at att.net> wrote:
>>
>>>  Don,
>>> The problem would not be with the shocks themselves but rather the 
>>> springs
>>> mounted on them. I had the same experience as Will and drove with one of 
>>> the
>>> thinner front spacers on the left rear for 13 years with no issues.
>>> Forest
>>>
>>>  ------------------------------
>>> *From:* Don Franck <panteradon at gmail.com>
>>> *To:* michael at michaelshortt.com
>>> *Cc:* DeTomaso Forum <detomaso at realbig.com>
>>> *Sent:* Fri, October 22, 2010 11:24:12 AM
>>>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [DeTomaso] Ride height
>>>
>>> Thanks, I suppose it is worth a try.  anyone know about new shocks? 
>>> cost?
>>> where to buy???
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 12:23 PM, michael at michaelshortt.com <
>>> michaelsavga at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> > I agree with Mike on this one, see if the shocks are indeed the 
>>> > problem.
>>> >
>>> > If they are, then replacing all four with regular shocks is a less
>>> > expensive alternative than more $$ adjustable shocks unless you are
>>> looking
>>> > for the performance advantage as well.
>>> >
>>> > Simply changing them side to side should quickly indicate whether the
>>> > shocks are the culprit, if not, then you'll need to look at other
>>> causes,
>>> > better to know what the problem is exactly before you start throwing
>>> money
>>> > at it.
>>> >
>>> > Michael
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >  On Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 1:17 PM, Don Franck <panteradon at gmail.com
>>> >wrote:
>>> >
>>> >>  Wow, an underwhelming response.  I suppose I am the first to
>>> experience
>>> >> this
>>> >> condition.
>>> >>
>>> >> Don
>>> >>
>>> >> On Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 11:10 AM, <MikeLDrew at aol.com> wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> >
>>> >> > In a message dated 10/22/10 9 04 54, panteradon at gmail.com writes:
>>> >> >
>>> >> >
>>> >> > I just measured my car and I am a full inch lower on the drivers
>>> side.
>>> >> > Should I assume the only real way to fix this is with ride height
>>> >> > adjustable
>>> >> > shocks?
>>> >> >
>>> >> > What is the recommended shock?  Where should I get them?
>>> >> >
>>> >> > Thanks for any suggestions.
>>> >> >
>>> >> >
>>> >> > The budget idea would be to swap your existing shocks side-to-side
>>> and
>>> >> see
>>> >> > if that makes any difference?
>>> >> >
>>> >> > Mike
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> --
>>> >> Don
>>> >>  _______________________________________________
>>> >>
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>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > Michael L. Shortt
>>> > Savannah, Georgia
>>> > www.michaelshortt.com
>>> > michael at michaelshortt.com
>>> > 912-232-9390
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > This email is protected by the Electronic Communications Privacy
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Don
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Don
>>
>
>
>
> -- 
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Michael L. Shortt
> Savannah, Georgia
> www.michaelshortt.com
> michael at michaelshortt.com
> 912-232-9390
>
>
> This email is protected by the Electronic Communications Privacy
> Act, 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2510-2521, is confidential and may be legally
> privileged.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby 
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