What is a "Typical" T-Bucket ride height?

[Driver50x]

What is your frame height at the front and rear? I am building my suspension brackets, and I need to know where to mock up the frame height.

 

[fletcherson]

There are so many variables. I would suggest iinvestigating some build plans that match your tastes as far as how low you want it to ride, etc...

 

[EX JUNK]

My frame is not what you would call "typical" as I built my car lower than most. However, my frame measures 7" in the front and 9 1/4" at the rear kick up.

Jim

 

[RPM]

8-10 is about average I would guess. If you go lower it might have oil pan clearance problems.

 

[T-Test]

Build it as low as you want, but the changes made for engine/tans/rear end is where it will be looking funny or take up too much room inside so as to not be comfortable.
I like to build where a softball can go underneath everywhere without touching, which also helps with the scrub line of the car. JMTCW

 

[tfeverfred]

Think scrub line and oil pan clearance.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Mine is 7" at front and 12" at kickup. But my car is 2 ft longer than typical T:

Note how low the engine is in this old pic. I was always banging pans. So I raised the engine a couple inches and it made all the difference. And the engine looks better set higher.
Note that I kept the engine parallel to the frame. The spark plugs are 4-1/2" up from the frame rail. Some set their engines parallel to the ground. And some set them at any old angle, which just looks goofy.

With the engine set higher:

Now isn't that better? And no more pan bashing.

 

[old round fart]

How much pan clearance do you have?

 

[Driver50x]

Thanks guys! I am not trying to build anything super low, I am just want to set it at a "normal" height. The pictures are especially helpful. I like the engine up higher also, as I will not be using a blower or tunnel ram.

I just finished building my frame and front suspension, as shown in my avatar . I have not mounted my engine or rear suspension yet.

 

[T-Test]

As you know your spring perch height will establish the front frame height, and the rear will be determined by the shock/spring mounts. Any of the plans already out there are good for safety first with the scrub line, and the rest for [looks]. KISS is a good philosophy to follow. Even the early Masters did it this way and just changed the body/body styles to make them unique. Most T's will look very similar. If Ted Brown was still here, he would have revolutionized the T-Bucket market with the under slung suspension and soft ride IMHO.

 

[PotvinGuy]

How much pan clearance do you have?

4" at front of oil pan is the low point. More clearance as you move back.

 

[PotvinGuy]

As you know your spring perch height will establish the front frame height,

The leaf spring can factor in too. I removed the smallest leaf from a new one to soften the ride and lower the front a bit. There are monoleafs and even composite monoleafs that would have different ride heights. There's a firm, VBP, that makes the composites for Corvettes and they said they would make one to my specs. For a princely sum, I assume

 

[EX JUNK]

I measure 3" from the bottom of my Slam-Gard oil pan to the pavement. I've encountered no problems with it at all. Part of that is because our roads are quite good down here in Florida. I also approach speed bumps slowly and cross them at somewhat of a diagonal.

Jim

 

[PotvinGuy]

Driver, here's how I raised my motor: Yes, just a hunk of hardwood 'tween the mount and the motor. I had planned to replace it with an aluminum block, but once it was painted I just forgot and it's been fine for 4 years now.

 

[Gerry]

I decided my height based on a house brick. If its high enough to miss a house brick its good to go, at least for me.

 

[Spanky]

Nice looking ride, Gerry. I even like the 'Ralph Cramden" steering wheel!

(PS - FYI: Ralph Cramden was the bus driver played by Jackie Gleason on The Honeymooners TV show.)

 

[choppedtop]

All of us ole guys know Ralph and Ed.

 

[Spanky]

PS - Gerry, what year body-style is yours? Looks like a '15, but with a later year cowl . . .

 

[Gerry]

Its a 15. Cowl is pinched in like the 15 and shorter than the 24. Bit of artistic licence in there as well.

 

[dan nichols]

i set mine up for 5 inches of oil pan clearance but now that everything has settled i have more like 4 inches should clear most things