Thread: About to pull the trigger on FatMan Hub to Hub IFS Advice Please

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Well, I've pretty much decided to update my much outdated MII suspension. The build on this car, 39 Chevy Master, happened sometime in the early 80's. A Heidts front crossmember was installed along with, I think is, MII power rack and suspension components, although they could be pinto I suppose.

I've looked quite a bit online and really like the Fatman hub to hub setup. I'd like to go with the Shockwave kit. What mods do I have to make to get this to work. Looks like I've got to cut the spring hats off and install the upper supports for the Shockwave's.

I also like the straight air bag route but the Shockwave system looks more adaptable with lots of adjustment potential. So--am I over thinking this thing or on the right track?

PICTURES OF CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION HERE:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rvpqfe20gvwbizh/GVkhuPGqky

START TO END BUILD PICS HERE:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/887hu1rz7fpgn30/LXFeYRZrHq

I have the Fatman MS2 on my 50 Ply wagon. I have the suspension setup to ride nicely with the weight of the car.
My concern with running bags is the leaks. You may never have one,but there is always that chance.

Originally Posted by sunsetdart

I have the Fatman MS2 on my 50 Ply wagon. I have the suspension setup to ride nicely with the weight of the car.
My concern with running bags is the leaks. You may never have one,but there is always that chance.

Are U running coilovers?

I think that if you just changed to tubular a arms and coil overs you would have a very nice set up-----it wouldn't be necessary to redo the front frame --------

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

I think that if you just changed to tubular a arms and coil overs you would have a very nice set up-----it wouldn't be necessary to redo the front frame --------

Thanks for the reply. Any idea how the coil overs ride compares to air? Also, while I don't plan on road racing I would like the car to handle like new.

you got a long way to go to get it to handle like a new modern car--dual ball jointed spindles, independant rear, computer controlled magnetic fluid in the schocks-----------

Air will not ride better than coil overs--its the spring rate and schock valving that effects ride----air just lets you lower the car when you park it----and raise it for loading on/off the trailer to go to the cruise/drive in car shows

With their short travel, coilovers and air shocks will never come close to the ride of a new car! Most coil-overs rated for Street Rods and Hot Rods have 3" of travel, not enough range in their to get any effective shock valving to make for a good ride... As for handling, coilovers will do ok, but add a good sway bar both front and rear sized correctly for the weight of the car and attachment point on the suspension and all of a sudden it'll handle like a slot car! Add in some 5" or 6" travel coilovers and dual adjustable shocks then you'll actually have enough shock travel for the tuning knobs to actually do some good!

tc1.JPGYea, my Town Car has air suspension with gas filled shocks in the rear and that car rides like a dream. Wish the width was right for mine but it's 66" mounting surface to mounting surface. My rear is 60 1/8"

So--looks like my decision making is back to home plate. Anybody got an opinion on weather I should just work with the leaf spring rear I have or swap for a coil spring rear, maybe from an Explorer. I haven't gone to the salvage yard and done any measuring yet but I've heard that the Explorer rear is about 60' face to face.
Thanks for the help guys.

Originally Posted by TerpnGator

Attachment 56611Yea, my Town Car has air suspension with gas filled shocks in the rear and that car rides like a dream. Wish the width was right for mine but it's 66" mounting surface to mounting surface. My rear is 60 1/8"

So--looks like my decision making is back to home plate. Anybody got an opinion on weather I should just work with the leaf spring rear I have or swap for a coil spring rear, maybe from an Explorer. I haven't gone to the salvage yard and done any measuring yet but I've heard that the Explorer rear is about 60' face to face.
Thanks for the help guys.

Have you talked to the guys at RideTech about what they recommend for your setup? Some of their ShockWave systems knock down some very good times on the AutoCross flat track, and they can pretty much provide everything as a system. Might be a little pricey, though.... At least they might give you some good advice on options.

Originally Posted by rspears

Have you talked to the guys at RideTech about what they recommend for your setup? Some of their ShockWave systems knock down some very good times on the AutoCross flat track, and they can pretty much provide everything as a system. Might be a little pricey, though.... At least they might give you some good advice on options.

No I haven't talked to RideTech yet. I did talk to Bob at Progressive and some salesman at Fatman. I'll give them a call on Monday. I was just joking about road course racing What I'm really looking for is a comfortable ride and reliability.

The few here that responded to my post say that they haven't experienced any problems, but I read some post on another board that just trashed the air ride as too temperamental with leak down problems among others. I'm not convinced Always good to have options,\.

While I'm not a disliker of air ride suspension, not really sure of the benefits for an occasionally driven 'hobby' car beyond being able to say that 'I have a bagged car'. Then you add the complexity of running air and power lines, finding a place for a compressor and controls. They are at this point, pretty trouble free ---- except when they aren't. Now that I finally have the IFS and coil over rear suspension on my '31 pretty well tuned up, it handles like a dream and can see no need for anything else. I have plenty of suspension travel for what I need and where I drive - after all, it isn't an off road vehicle ---- and even a TCI Stage lll is less costly then a bagged suspension. But with all that said, it IS your car and what you want to do with it, of course, is your choice

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i8...onupgrade2.jpg