Posted by Charlie on December 12, 1999 at 16:33:23:
In Reply to: ""HEY CHARLIE""Setting up frontend, need advice! posted by jerry on December 12, 1999 at 11:29:44:
The increase in caster that i mentioned is positive caster. That is, the front pinion would go down, which would increase u-joint angles in the driveline, which can of course become a problem, especially if more downwards travel is possible, like with coil springs. I really don't know how you'd precisely measure and set up caster in advance switching to coil springs. By all means have it measured at an alignment place after you're done. If you stick with manual steering shoot for 1-1.5 deg. If you have power steering then 3-5 degrees positive caster would be OK.
Why are you going to coils other than the obvious, better ride? I think you could improve the ride by a carefully designed leaf spring pack. My 48 B1PW came with 9 leaves of 0.260" plus 2 factory "add-a-leaves" clampled on top of 0.260". I replaced it with 6 leaves of 0.320". It's still too stiff. I'd try 5 leaves of 0.320", or 2 of 0.320" and 4 of 0.260", or even 6-7 of 0.260". All arched such that loaded height is 1.5-2" higher than original. If your loaded ride height is more than an inch or so higher than original, I'd advise having a competent welder cut and "dog-leg" the steering arm such that the drag link remains horizontal, since it's pretty short. Be sure it's gussetted and otherwise totally overbuilt.
Charlie