Raising height of AU Falcon

[Mr12345678x]

Hey all,

My car isn't lowered but scrapes badly when going into my driveway (series 1.5 AU). This happens with most cars in my driveway. I want to get the car raised a bit front and back so it won't scrape and maybe be a more comfortable ride. What are my options, and who should I go to - preferably cheaper is better?

Thanks

[SSD-85]

Get an AU series 1, theyve got more ground clearance than some SUVs . In saying that, adjusting its ride height to that spec should work.

[Mr12345678x]

How would I go about adjusting the height? Is it easy to do myself or should I take it somewhere?

[GasoLane]

How many K's has it done? Could be that the original springs have just sagged with age. Find out the original height's (front and rear) and check yours.

Having said that, if most cars scrape on your drive maybe fixing the driveway entry angle might be easier.

[Nikked]

Arn't AU's high enough standard?

My car only sits 100mm of the ground, its a bit of work getting into driveways, but i can pretty much get anywhere i want.

[sprint347dave]

how about modifing your driveway

[Brazen]

Pedders do a country pack suspension which raises the ride height, I dont think its that expensive.

[Mr12345678x]

This is the car sitting at the top of the driveway



I think they may have sagged, I will investigate the standard height and compare. The car has done 24xxxxkms

[POELWYK]

take the driveway side on and slow

[Mr12345678x]

Thanks we tried that but the only way to do it was by driving over the dirt on the gap between our neighbors driveway but it's a double garage and we've got two cars, the angle would be too tight for the second car and the driveway's within legal requirements even though straight on everything gets stuck

[Mr12345678x]

Mine was a series 1 which was after the April '99 update so it's 1" lower front/rear than the first ones - I think this combined with the possibly sagged? suspension is causing my problem?

I don't even know what to replace or look into lol

Thanks for the replies so far though guys it's a good start

[frd906]

ummm how do you mean lower, i have a series 1 99 feb build and mine sits really high

old pic but still sits the same even with 18s on

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by juzza

the driveway's within legal requirements even though straight on everything gets stuck

Then it's not fit for the purpose.

See whoever you need to, to get it remedied (looks like you've just bought a new house?) if no go, talk to a solicitor.

That is ridiculous.

[frd906]

Also the only update i no during the 99 period was a change to smart shield, thats it

[Dave_Obsession]

Originally Posted by ronwest

Then it's not fit for the purpose.

See whoever you need to, to get it remedied (looks like you've just bought a new house?) if no go, talk to a solicitor.

That is ridiculous.

+1

[sprint347dave]

Originally Posted by juzza

This is the car sitting at the top of the driveway



I think they may have sagged, I will investigate the standard height and compare. The car has done 24xxxxkms

if you hit it fast enough,,you mite be able to park it on the roof of ur house

[Mr Hardware]

saying one 11 year old AU rides at the same height as another 11 year old AU is preposterous

we had cabs that were supposedly identical spec yet some rode like VIPs and some rode like rock climbers. I couldn't work it out - same springs, same part numbers on the shocks, same kind of car.

[block58]

Originally Posted by frd906

Also the only update i no during the 99 period was a change to smart shield, thats it

Responding to criticism relating to the height at which the AU sat (in particular the gap between the tyres and the wheel arches) Ford lowered all non-Tickford AU's from the 'AU Update' on reducing the ride height by a further 1" giving all the more reason to be careful with that large front overhang when entering and exiting driveways.

Source: http://www.trueblueford.com/AU1_intro_AUupdate.html

[frd906]

hmmm, might go to the wreckers and find my self a set then lol

Rear Suspension: (back to index)

Coil sprung live rear axil standard on sedans.
Mounted via a “four link” suspension system with Watts link, on sedans only.
Optional Multi-link Independent Rear Suspension on sedans.
Optional limited slip differential (NA with IRS option - don't ask me why!).
Optional Tickford handling kit (includes front suspension) for all body styles & suspension options.
Optional heavy duty coils and shock absorbers (for use with towing or a gas conversion).
Standard “Wide Track” rear leave sprung live axil in wagon - smooth riding with exceptional load carrying abilities and sag suppression (something that can’t be said about the Commodore equivalent) - Surprisingly the wagon actually handles better than the standard coil sprung standard sedan equivalent!
All Falcons post 'AU Update' (April 99') were lowered 1” front and rear

[edroders]

i can't believe no one has suggested this yet but have you thought about a set of 20's? that will raise your ride height plenty lol

[Mr12345678x]

The idea was for the cheapest, 20"s would do the job but aren't economical at all! lol

Next time I'm up there I'm going to try it with planks, just out of curiosity.]

I discussed it with the builder and got him to try with his car and on a ridiculous angle he did get it in without scraping (basically driving on the nature strip) but it's got the legal amount of drop per metre so there's nothing I can do about it unfortunately :(

[TheInterceptor]

Id hazard a guess that you have 15"s on. Heaps of tyres to choose from in 15" form, easier replacing tyres than your suspension. Get some 215/70? somthing with more sidewall, lifts your car up a little.

This would only work if your car is JUST scraping. Just an idea....

[frd906]

so im asumming every one with the same car hieght as your car would have problems getting in, last thing you wanna do is fork out a bill for under carrage damage

[Barryxr6turbo]

Have you tried reversing in? My ute scraps my driveway going forwards but not backwards.

[Mr Hardware]

just looked at that pic
do what ronwest says, that's a joke

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Barryxr6turbo

Have you tried reversing in? My ute scraps my driveway going forwards but not backwards.

Looking at the pic (and I agree with others, It's a ridiculous angle) I'd say it's not scraping as we all were thinking. It looks like it would be bottoming out in the middle.

Good thing you don't own on old Fairlane, you'd get all four wheel in the air!

[Barryxr6turbo]

Yeah that's what I was thinking. My driveway is similar but I miss the muffler in 1 direction but not the other.

[Jimmyd]

New set of std springs would set you back around $300-$500, pay someone to fit figure on another $200-$400; so basically $300 to $900.
This sort of money you should be able to get a concrete grinder in to take to peak off the driveway.
Grinding down the peak will also fix access for other cars, increasing ride height will reduce your cars handling ability.

Cheers

James