[DeTomaso] Ride height and Koni adjustable shock adjustment

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

If you'd like your results to compare with other Panteras, measure 
according to pg 3, Bulletin 4 in the Tech Service Bulletins; it specifies where to 
measure and what it was supposed to be as-stock. The diagram shows measuring 
to the center of the inboard rear suspension pivot bolts on both front and 
rear suspensions. Note the front was set 0.390" higher than the rear, which I 
(and undoubtably Engineer Dallara) disagree with, and the factory settings 
may also have included the infamous spring spacers used to raise headlight 
centers to comply with a 1971 DOT spec, since disregarded. 
Note also that lowering the car by removing spring spacers and/or 
readjusting adjustable shock spring-collars, will also change toe-in and caster, so 
be ready to realign the front end after fiddling with this. 

As for your Konis, there are two quite different Konis commonly used on 
Panteras. The older ones are non-gas charged, and adjust by;
1- remove shock from car completely. Be careful they weigh about 12 lbs 
each.
2-With a press or spring tool, remove the big split-locks on the top that 
hold the spring in place.
3- drive out the roll pin that holds the top shock-eye on and unscrew the 
shock eye completely.
4- collapse the shock by pushing the rod in to the bottom. There will be 
anout an inch left outside. With a small wrench, slowly rotate the rod 
counterclockwis while pushing down until you feel the rod suddenly drop another 
1/4". This means the rod engaged the damping adjustment. Since you have no idea 
where the thing is adjusted, turn the rod counter-clockwise until it stops. 
This is full-soft.
5- there are 3 adjustments possible: soft, medium and hard, each one a full 
turn from each other. Turn clockwise. When you get to your chosen point, 
pull up to disengage the adjuster.
6- Reassemble and reinstall.

For gas-Konis:
1- remove shock from car completely. These only weigh about 6 lbs ea.
2- by slacking off the threaded collar (keeping track of how many turns 
there were originally for the height you are using), back off until the split 
locks and spring can be safely removed.
3- under a plastic cap on the top of the shock body is a buttom; push the 
button while rotating the rod clockwise to change damping adjustment. Again, 
there are 3 possibilities.

Note- most commonly used Konis adjust compression damping only. Good luck- 
J Deryke