Factory rake of a 1970 Dart Swinger?

[David Eldridge]

Does anyone know what the rake of a 1970 Dart should be sitting with no weight in it. I know the manual has a way to do it by measuring the control arms at different points, but the nose would be way high. Any imput greatly appreciated

 

[abodyjoe]

squatted pretty good in the rear...

 

[lilfontleroy]

squatted pretty good in the rear...

View attachment 1715289393

View attachment 1715289394

View attachment 1715289395

View attachment 1715289396

good stuff! IIRC they really did sit low maybe even level and almost seemed nose high

 

[qkcuda]

I always thought those brochures made it look like they had a couple of sand bags (or dead bodies) in the trunk. In real life I always remembered that they sat higher than that.

 

[72Dart6pack]

I have a Dart shovel. Never knew they had Rakes too? Sweet.

 

[rumblefish360]

Yea man! Stock OE ride was dead level to almost a saggy rear look considering that we all raise the rear so much... it's like normal now.

 

[ir3333]

As Rumble says...level!

 

[mbaird]

I have seen varying stances of Mopars in factory ads/literature. Some low ..some not.

 

[Cuda Al]

Here is the AMA Specs on the car.

Alan

 

[Mattax]

Alan, That's awsome.
I don't recall if I'd seen that before.
The only rear height info I've seen from the factory is at Hamtramck Historical.
The 1970 Hamtramck Registry "Chrysler Passenger Car Bumper Heights 1965 thru 1976" Page Note that on page two that these are for fully loaded (5 passengers, full fuel) but does not say what options. Also the bumpers are somewhat adjustable and the body has some slop. So these are visual body related specs, not so much suspension setup info.

From a suspension perspective a flat spring when typically loaded is basicly correct. This is how Chrysler designed 'em, and why there are so many different spring packs to match the various weights and use. Chrysler explains it in the in this booklet about handling.
An exception were the cars intended for drag racing which came with the super stock springs. Arch is one way to increase anti-squat.

 

[David Eldridge]

Thanks guys this is a huge help! Put a new front end in and wanted to make sure I had it right

 

[toolmanmike]

Factory stance? What fun is that?

 

[Cuda Al]

The factory stance is basically level, I tend to drop the front about 1/2"


Alan

 

[GMachineDartGT]

The level stance or even lower in the rear (not favorable by most tastes) optimizes handling.
Even though many prefer the rear higher, it is destroying the handling.of the car with almost any setup.

 

[David Eldridge]

Thanks for all the input! Think I got it where I want it