TR4/4A TR4A Stock Ride Height

[RJS]

Is there a documented or confirmed "stock ride height" for the 4A with IRS? I guess it can be measured from the ground to the fender lip or from the center of the axle to the fender lip. I've also heard of the rough two or three fingers between the top of the tire and the lip of the fender.

Thanks

Bob

 

[cjimj]

Ground clearance is specified as 6 inches in a static laden condition, which requires 150 lbs on each front seat.

 

[tdskip]

Ground clearance is specified as 6 inches in a static laden condition, which requires 150 lbs on each front seat.

Hi, measured from where?

 

[Foura]

You need to check the tires that you have Bob. I have 185/80x15 on 6"rims. I looked at changing to 195/65x15. They would lower the car by 3/4". I am sticking with the current tires because I like the gearing - 25mph/1000rpm - and we are going to Perth later this year which is a 2200 mile trip one way. Mine has 6 inches of ground clearance with Richard Good's lowered springs in the back. Maybe a better measurement if someone had it would be the distance between the bump stop and the suspension arm.

 

[RJS]

Rocky

That's quite a trip! Wow. Right now I am running 165/15 Vredestein Sprint Classics on 4.5" wire wheels. Original springs are still in the car. I just wanted to see if the original springs may be sagging at all.

Bob

 

[cjimj]

Ground clearance is measured from the ground to the lowest part of the vehicle, which is the bottom of the frame for a TR4A. As the gentlemen above mentioned, this will be affected by the static loaded radius of the tires, any wear or compression in the suspension bushings, the rubber spring packing, and the amount of load, including the amount of fuel in the tank, etc.

If the ground clearance measured at the front is close to that measured at the rear (before the frame starts to angle up) I'd venture the springs are probably OK. Theoretically at least, springs shouldn't sag if properly designed until they start cracking due to fatigue. Up until then they should be operating safely in the elastic region of the material, and not in the plastic region that would be necessary for the spring to sag under normal operating conditions.

Hope this helps,

Jim