After jacking around for way too long and spending too much time and money juryrigging things, I do believe the Ratmaster's suspension has finally stablitized. Factory front springs w/one coil removed Monroe Severe Service Police/Taxi shocks Rustic Racing rear "T" lowering coils Bilstein sport shocks Full tank of fuel, removed 3rd row seat, no load in the cargo area. Sits about right, don'cha think? (Rides firm and smooth as silk)
Looks sharp! Like a knife through butter!:2_thumbs_up_-_anima Which raises a question. I've seen a lot of guys wanting to get a slight rake on the front, and I recall that a lot of late 70's, and 1980's wagons offered a roof deflector at the back of the roof rack. Then there were the dirty rear window deflectors (After-market products - IIRC). And all the dirty wagon tailgates we see up here from the road spray. The question is whether the changes you've made or any good designs you've seen make the car any more efficient, aerodynamic, water shedding capable. I'm planning on building my own version of a Real Woody. And got looking at some from yesteryears, like the 1934 Ford Teardrop grille, and the angles of the more modern models, and I don't see much advantage in leaning the back of the wagon much more than a Studebaker wagon, especially if I install a rear wiper. But the front rake makes sense. What I was thinking is making the front nose just high enough for a full sized rad and an inline 6, and then slope the two front fenders way low to get almost a sportscar view of the road in the immediate front of the car, and back up to the windshield line. Think of a 1975 Riviera with a 1934 Grille height, sort of. The hood line would be high in the center. I'd make the front fenders hinged to swing out, when I need to get down and dirty in the Engine compartment. Anyway, the prime question is about aerodynamics that work to make the car more driver-friendly.
Only above 150. I can't tell about any aero effects, and I don't think the mid '90's wagons had a factory optioned deflector. I've been more focused on appearance and ride and handling. I'm sure happy with this set up.
Over 150! Been there a few times at the track, and a cop took my Hemi over that on the highway, back in the MPH days, up here. My 302 Fairmont could do 150 KMH but I don't think I'll push this new I6 that high. Well thanks, I needed to settle down on all those details, cause if I can give my new Brick an edge with a decent rake on the windshield, that'll be enough.
I hear ya, rev, another inch and I'd really be cool. It handles now better than I could've ever imagined. The front spring and shock combo provides a soft but not mushed road response while the long, backend of the wagon has no porpoise or over rebound. In fact, it rides and handles so well now my fuel bill is gonna jump because I'm looking for more opportunities to drive it now. And I give ALL the credit to Chris at Rustic Racing: Email: info@rusticracing.com Phone: 217-652-1788 Mail: 401 W Main St Pleasant Plains, IL 62677
He dun did indeed. Here, we call 'em Prairie Schooners. More elegant, dignified. And you don't need a Captain's license.
