how much lower than AU SR springs are XR6 and XR8 springs?

[sneaky]

just looking at lowering the AU3 SR (non irs) falcon and was thinking it might be cheaper to grab some second hand XR springs. are the xr6 or xr8 springs much lower than the sr?

also what model cars can i get them out of? ie would au1 springs or ba springs fit the au3?

cheers
-tim

[V8falcons]

Just go for au 2/3 xr6 springs,they will be firmer an about an inch lower,if your on a budget

[sneaky]

sweet.

got stuffed around once before. bought low king springs for a car that was a few years old. the back came down an inch but the front only moved 5mm. after a few phone calls to king springs they came to the conclusion that the front must have sagged on the original springs so the kings springs wouldn't lower it only stiffen it.

the coon in the family car so i don't want to get ultra lows, but i didn't want to get lows and have the car sit at the same height.

-tim

[b2tf]

XR springs should take it down about 30mm BUT I have a feeling that SR's had some sort of suspension pack from factory as part of the SR deal - if so check this out because I wouldnt be surprised if they just whacked XR ones in there anyway.

[V8falcons]

I have a series 2 SR wagon and according to the brochures s2 wagons got sports suspension(xr spring and shocks) but ford help desk suggest other wise.

Its sits at the same height as XRs anyway and is as firm as an XR i can assure you.

[Sox]

I had an AU1 'S', which is likely similar to the later 'SR'.
It had XR springs and shocks.

[sneaky]

bugger. didn't realise the sr's were low from the factory, that throw's a spanner in things. if i called ford with the vin could they tell me for sure what was in it?

might have to call pedders or someone while i'm at it.

-tim

[Abacus]

There were at least three spring rates and heights:

Forte/Futura/Fairmont - Standard Height

XR = Low

Fairmont Ghia = about half way between standard and XR height.

Don't knlw what an SR had. Easiest way to check might be to park it next to an XR and see if it's any different. Or else roam your local shopping mall car park with a tape measure, and measure from the centre of the hub cap to the top of the wheel arch for a selection of AUs.

[Swordsman88]

Best of luck working this one out.....abacus might have the best solution - tape measure and run around a car park??

I've heard a few different versions on the suspension set up of the SRs...my old man has one and when he was buying the car we were told that the dealer had some 'sport suspension' SRs in that were sold, and that our car was the 'normal suspension' SR. I asked the dealer what he meant and i think he had optioned up the IRS from the XR6 (or fairmont ghia??) on some of them. Now whether the standard SR had a lower spring set i don't know (from my eye it seemed lower than the base model on steelies, but that could be the SR body kit....).

Another idea is that some ran the XR6 HP (non VCT/IRS) settings, so lowered with xr springs/shocks. What i do know is that a mate of mine recently put his SR on king spring lows and the car didn't drop one iota at the front really.....well not enough to notice.

[GK]

I have a S2 SR sedan and when I put XR springs in it, the height came down an inch.

Bear in mind that you need springs from the XR HP, not the VCT IRS as they won't fit your live rear axle.

Hope that helps.

GK

[blueoval]

Would this sports springs issue be the same for an AU2 75th anniversary futura?

When I drive my car and I pull up next to an SR of the same year, externally feature-wise, the cars are almost identical apart from the badging.

Sometimes, I think it looks a tad lower than a regular forte, other times i think its sitting higher than it should. In saying that, my dad's S1 futura sits higher than my car. Could this be due to the different series suspension changes?

[V3RSAC3]

Shav, baby, your car's like Rik's :P :P

GO Super Lows ;)

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by V3RSAC3

Shav, baby, your car's like Rik's :P :P

GO Super Lows ;)

yeah I agree SL's FTMFW. At least it will look like it will make a difference.

[fipcee]

Originally Posted by sneakypete23

bugger. didn't realise the sr's were low from the factory, that throw's a spanner in things. if i called ford with the vin could they tell me for sure what was in it?

might have to call pedders or someone while i'm at it.

-tim

Tim if you are going to ring a specialist suspension company may I suggest fulcrum suspension, they are a site sponsor and as such they should look after you. I had my car done by these guys in Brisbane and the quote from them was substantially cheaper than Pedders and the customer service etc was great.
Good luck

[sneaky]

cheers fipcee i'll give them i call if i ring someone. i've heard of fulcrum through other forums and come highly recommended..

i'll wait until i get the mags on the car before i change the springs, it might not look too bad if the sr already has low springs.

-tim

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by sneakypete23

cheers fipcee i'll give them i call if i ring someone. i've heard of fulcrum through other forums and come highly recommended..

i'll wait until i get the mags on the car before i change the springs, it might not look too bad if the sr already has low springs.

-tim

thats good thinking there tim. get the car to suit the clearance of the wheels first, then lower it according to how it looks with them.

[Dark Horse]

Originally Posted by blueoval

In saying that, my dad's S1 futura sits higher than my car. Could this be due to the different series suspension changes?

No comparison between yours and your old man's. The AUII does sit lower than the AUI (in the base models).

Another minor thing to bear in mind Pete is that the front shocks (in factory form) for the AUIII are a little different to the previous series as the front brake lines are oriented in a slightly different position. Just a little cautionary note if you do decide on changing the shocks as well.

[blueoval]

cheers Dark Horse

I view my car as a tarted up forte anyway. I reckon your right with the heights though. It certainly is more noticeable.

Just needs to be lower for my liking.