I am getting ready to buy my coilovers and would like to know what you guys out there with '32 hi boys are running for spring rates. As far as weight this car is typical SBC, 350 turbo, 9". Thanks.

HI MAC, I have a 32 Ford 3w cpe, fiberglas, 350 sbc, 5 speed, 9" Ford, fuel tank in trunk. cycle fendered HI BOY. I had my Deuce weighed at the NSRA NATS in LOUISVILLE last summer it weighed 2545 lbs. total 1190 lbs. front axle 1355 lbs. rear axle . tail heavy !! surprised me at it being tail heavy. I have TCI sprjngs and shocks. 250 lb. progressive springs on rear. I beam front with Monoleaf. the rear is just about perfect. decent ride, about 3" travel. I dont have chrome springs { not recomended} I was told if you chrome springs the spring rate changes and is not as good {hydrogen imbrittlement}. hope this helps. MERRY CHRISTMAS DAVE

I have a pair of TCI coilovers. They used to be chrome but before the car even hit the road the chrome began to flake off. Not just the springs but the shocks as well. Not to mention the batwings, draglink, tierod and 4 bars. After much pleading with them, they said send the stuff back, they would inspect it. If they found it to be defective, they would replace it. I asked if it would be of a better quality. They replied that it would be of identical quality. I had it replated at my own expense. It will be a cold day before I ever use ANYTHING from TCI. There are too many other outfits out there that have a REAL concern for quality and customer satisfaction. I will patronize them in the future, not TCI.
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Fred

ZZ Ford, Thank you too. No one wants to say a company has faulty products,but on the other hand it is good news to keep someone else out of trouble by not having to go through the grief you experienced. I guess that is the real reason the roundtable is in existence. Is there any company that you are partial to? Thanks again ZZ Ford.

Green Hornet, Thanks for the info.

Mac, the rest of my plated suspension is from Magnum axle. Thus far, there are no signs of problems at all from any of their stuff. The body on my car is a Minotti, can't say enough nice stuff about them or their products. The frame came from Palm Coast Rod and Custom in Florida. Another first class outfit. Aside from TCI's plating, I haven't had any problems with anything else.
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Fred

Mac, I don't think I'd be afraid to buy stuff from streetrod Stuff, either. Though the character of the principals involved maybe suspect, I'd still give them my trade. Fred
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Fred

Red 32 I want to thank you very much for responding to my question about the coilovers. I didn't know if there would be a difference in rates if the gas tank was in the original location or in the trunk. Also it was nice to hear a little bit about your rod. Someone told me that Red 32 lives near the Pittsburgh area and that you have made alot of your own components for your rod. If it's OK with you I would like to come over sometime and look at your rod a little bit closer. Maybe swipe a couple of idea's off of you. You see I'm building as many components as I can for my rod too. 'nuff said, thanks again.

HI Mac, you are very welcome to share my ideas, the front axle will be off for chroming . my E -mail is somewhere on this site or Dick Z has my phone number. the rear shocks are the only TCI part I own . Where do you live? back to the springs, rear tank location has more overhang and should add a little to the work the springs do. remember progressive rate springs the distance between the coils gets closer as it gets near the bottom. they also change rate as the spring is compressed. which means if you use a straght rate spring it might have to be slightly stiffer. I havent had any problems yet , but doesn't mean I endorse them. but somwhere around 250 - 300 lbs. should work. you might be able to exchange springs with the vendor if you don"t like the rate as long as there is no damage. I fabed most of the parts on my car , but I can"t type.
look forward to seeing you DAVE

Hey Rat,
I used AFCO coil-overs. They look good. I'm still working on getting the rod on the street, so I can't say how they ride yet. As far as chrome chipping and peeling off, the coils are made from chrome silicone wire(not chrome vanadium......what ever that means) and have a protective coating, not chrome plated. They not as shiny as chrome plated but they do look good and will mantain that look. It's more of a silver metal look. They're also guaranteed to remain within 2% of original free height, as long as YOU own the springs.
Keep the ride smooth.
Green Hornet

I am running PRO Shocks on three different cars (two hiboys and a sedan delivery). I can't remember the rates, but a phone call to them and they will tell you what you need. All three sets are chromed, springs and all. I have run one set for about 8 years. Haven't had any problems with any of them.

Hey Cabriolethiboy, thanks. I looked up Pro Shocks on the web and there is a bunch of good info. there. I was going to go to the rod shop this weekend, but I may hold off awhile until I look into this a little deeper. Seems the angle of the shocks has an influence on the spring rate also. Besides, the way it's snowing might have to wait until after Christmas. Which reminds me to wish all of you fellow SRS members a merry one.