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HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions )

Posted By: 69CHARGERMD

HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 07:38 PM

Not sure what to do to fix this,,,,would appreciate any comments,,,see pic below.

This is on a 65 Plymouth, Caltracs.

I want to be able to run the bar in the upper hole,,,but the bracket/hanger wont allow it,,, ( see pic ) The bar will not sit flush in the upper hole,,,and is running into a portion of the hanger/bracket

QUESTION:
I noticed there are "3" holes in the bracket,,,,, Are these 3 holes for "height" adjustment only ??,,,************, This is where it was set up when i got the car,,,,,

If i drop the caltrac/triangle into the bottom hole of the bracket,,,,i should have more clearance,,,BUT,,,,,Not sure if i have enough material to work with ,,, these brackets dont look super sturdy to me.

If i leave the caltrac/triangle where it is ( middle hole of the bracket),,,,i suppose i could shave the bracket some to allow more clearance to move the bar to the upper hole........??

I DONT want to raise the ride height any,,,the car sits a bit too high in the rear now with 1" over stock springs.....(again, i think putting the caltrac/triangle in the bottom hole of the bracket,,will raise the ride height ???? )

What do you guys think of just shaving some material off the bottom portion of the bracket,,,,to allow me not to bind when i put the caltrac bar in the upper hole ( see modified pic below ) ( do i need that bottom hole in the braket/hanger ? )

sorry for the long winded question....

thanks,,,







Posted By: demon440

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 07:57 PM

no need to cut it where the green line is,
nothing will hit there.
The bolt in the back might hit or the top of the spring eye if you put it in the top hole.
Posted By: mopar65

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 08:10 PM

Quote:

QUESTION:
I noticed there are "3" holes in the bracket,,,,, Are these 3 holes for "height" adjustment only ??,,,************, This is where it was set up when i got the car,,,,,




Hi Doug yes those holes are for ride height adjustments. When me and Jason put the mopar spring relocation kit on the 65 at the time i was running mopar super stock springs. When i went to the caltrac setup with the moved in spring boxes. I could only run the spring in the lower hole. Which also raised the rear of the car to high up for my liking. So i moved the caltrac/triangle to the middle hole. Which is in the same spot as the factory front spring mount hole. But to get the caltrac/triangle to clear the front hanger i had to cut out the front spring hanger to fit them. I never tried running the bar in the top hole so i never cut the box out so they would fit.If you never plan to run the springs in the bottom hole i would say go to town on the spring boxes. I would go with the second pix to make your cut.If you have any more questions please fill free to pm me or I still look forward to hearing about the new engine for the 65. thanks Bobby
Posted By: 69CHARGERMD

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 08:41 PM

Quote:

no need to cut it where the green line is,
nothing will hit there.
The bolt in the back might hit or the top of the spring eye if you put it in the top hole.




Demon,,,,it i put the BAR in the upper hole,,,it WILL clamp down and bind on the frame bracket,,,

Bobby,,,thanks for the input,,
I dont want to raise the ride height any,,,
I DO want to try the upper hole on the caltrac bars though,,,and see what it does,, ,, I should be able to remove what i need with a cut off wheel,, ,so i dont have to pull the springs off ( did that last year when i put in longer spacers for the front spring eye,,, what a pain,,,did that one alone on the garage floor,,,lots of swearing and drinking going on that night,,lol )

hint ( the new motor combo does have a "5" in it ,,, ) more clues later,,,lol
Posted By: demon440

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 08:45 PM

Caltracs makes a new set-up to clear the
relocation spring boxes.
Give them a call and see what they say.
Posted By: 69CHARGERMD

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 08:48 PM

Quote:

Caltracs makes a new set-up to clear the
relocation spring boxes.





? heading to their website now,,,,anymore info on this ? thanks Demon
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 08:49 PM

Quote:

Quote:

no need to cut it where the green line is,
nothing will hit there.
The bolt in the back might hit or the top of the spring eye if you put it in the top hole.




Demon,,,,it i put the BAR in the upper hole,,,it WILL clamp down and bind on the frame bracket,,,



doug, if you put the spring eye hole in the top hole it will lower your car some which will help you out if your minitubbed.
then you could use the upper hole on your caltracs.
when i ran caltracs in my 65 plymouth i went to the top hole on the spring perch which lowered the back of my car making it leave alot better.

Attached picture 5708742-65plymouthbeaversprings7.12.09.jpg
Posted By: 69CHARGERMD

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 08:57 PM

Quote:

doug, if you put the spring eye hole in the top hole it will lower your car some which will help you out if your minitubbed.
then you could use the upper hole on your caltracs.




Chris,
wouldnt that drive the upper hole on the caltracs higher up into the bracket ?
the car sits a bit high in the rear,,,and lowering it would be better,,i agree,,i might have some tire clearance issues in the wheelwell if i drop the ride height ,,, has a 31x15x10.5 tire now,,,arrgghhh,,,
thanks for the info,,,,
you could just send me your 65 (plymouth),,,and let me try it out....lol
Doug

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 09:14 PM

Quote:

Quote:

doug, if you put the spring eye hole in the top hole it will lower your car some which will help you out if your minitubbed.
then you could use the upper hole on your caltracs.




Chris,
wouldnt that drive the upper hole on the caltracs higher up into the bracket ?
the car sits a bit high in the rear,,,and lowering it would be better,,i agree,,i might have some tire clearance issues in the wheelwell if i drop the ride height ,,, has a 31x15x10.5 tire now,,,arrgghhh,,,
thanks for the info,,,,
you could just send me your 65 (plymouth),,,and let me try it out....lol
Doug






drop the rear of the car with the bolt in the top hole, then you'll be able to get to the top hole with the caltrac bar, it will give you less of a rake in the back and better weight transfer.
ask me how i know?
after i lowered my car in the back, 60 foots were much better.
sorry i love my 65 plymouth too much.

Attached picture 5708816-65PLYMOUTHHEMIINTERIOR,ENGINECOMPARTMENT,KELLYSINJURY074.JPG
Posted By: RobX4406

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 09:17 PM

The new cantilever from Caltrack won't help this situation. That only helps the force bolt/bar area that swings inside the boxes.

The area of concern for this is the arc that the bolt head swigs on when the force is being applied. Any grinding that needs to be done will be following that arc to the forward/front side of the car.

Posted By: moparniac

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 09:22 PM

I couldnt get on the top hole in the spring boxes on mine......... top side of the spring eye was hitting the frame......
Posted By: 69CHARGERMD

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 09:23 PM

Quote:

The area of concern for this is the arc that the bolt head swigs on when the force is being applied. Any grinding that needs ot be done will be following that arc to the forward/front side of the car.






Quote:

I couldnt get on the top hole in the spring boxes on mine......... top side of the spring eye was hitting the frame......




hmmmmm, this could be the same for mine,,,Im out to the frozen garage to lay under the car and check it out.
Posted By: RobX4406

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 09:25 PM

Edited my post with some nasty picture for you.

I'm still sitting no matter what you say!
Posted By: 69CHARGERMD

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 09:37 PM

Quote:

Edited my post with some nasty picture for you.

I'm still sitting no matter what you say!




LOL,,,almost spit on the keyboard Rob,
(hey,,,when the time comes,,,i'll give ya the Moparts discount on the exam,,,lol, )
( i even photo-shopped my lab coat on,,,lol )





ps,,also checked the clearance issues that 540 mentioned,,,looks like the spring/eye would hit at the top of the hanger on mine also,,,i assume this is a MP item,,,wondering what Chris' has on his,,perhaps a different bracket....with more clearance....
Posted By: moparniac

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 09:40 PM

going to the top hole would be worse anyways IMO....

Posted By: 69CHARGERMD

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 09:42 PM

Quote:

going to the top hole would be worse anyways IMO




top hole on the caltracs ?

too much hit ?

mine is just a 10 sec bracket car,,nothing fancy...top hole would be too much for it ?

i have never tried it,,,have been trying to learn different things on the suspension a bit,,,figured it couldnt hurt to try,,,until i looked at the car,,and saw some fabrication might be needed...

540' looks like the exact set up , clearance as mine,,,
Posted By: moparniac

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 09:46 PM

top hole of the front spring box..........
Posted By: RobX4406

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 09:50 PM

OMG, you even have gloves on with that lab coat... RUN!!!

540's pic is consistent with what I was trying to convey.

As a side note. Trying to put the spring eye bolt in the top hole of the relo boxes would be murder.
Posted By: mopar65

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 11:49 PM

Quote:

too much hit ?


I would say yes to this. I for got to say that when i had the front spring in the bottom hole and the caltrac bar in the top hole. My car would blow the tires off it no matter what setting i used with the bars. also at this time i was running some used M/T 29.5x11.5x15 slicks. So i moved the bar to the bottom hole and the car would hook better but not good enough.SO after i moved the the front spring to the middle hole. I called calvert and told him what my car was doing. He recommended i run the bar in the bottom hole. After doing what he said i was running 1.44-1.45 sixty foots. So i left it there and raced it like that until you bought the car. I wish i would of tryed the bar in the top hole after i put the new slicks on but never did.
Doug i would cut the part out like what 540 posted and give it a try you never know the car might like it.If i can come up with the money i want to build a 512 for my dart. best of luck this year to you Doug. Bobby

Doug here is a pic of the 65 right after i put the cal trac kit on and with the front spring in the bottom hole. thanks Bobby

Attached picture 5709212-DSCF0090.JPG
Posted By: 69CHARGERMD

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 11:55 PM

Thanks Bobby,,,,that is a old pic eh ?
I dont know what the car will do in the top hole,,,might not like it,,,but easy enough to try,,,,and i can trim the hanger's pretty quick,,,and see,,,,plus i dont think i will move the springs to the bottom hole anyways,,,(no room to move them up either,,,so i think i am stuck where they are at)

Last year i was getting consistent 1.41-43's 60',,,better as i brought up the launch RPM,,,,

Going to throw some stuff at the car and see what it likes,,,eg,,,Calvert front shocks,,,play with the rear shocks,,,video tape the car a bit to see what it is doing,,,new slicks in the spring,,,etc,,,

My goal this year is to get UNDER 1.40 for a 60',,,going to try....

512 ? sounds cool.........
Posted By: W5Duster436

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/03/10 11:59 PM

Quote:

Thanks Bobby,,,,that is a old pic eh ?
I dont know what the car will do in the top hole,,,might not like it,,,but easy enough to try,,,,and i can trim the hanger's pretty quick,,,and see,,,,plus i dont think i will move the springs to the bottom hole anyways,,,(no room to move them up either,,,so i think i am stuck where they are at)

Last year i was getting consistent 1.41-43's 60',,,better as i brought up the launch RPM,,,,

Going to throw some stuff at the car and see what it likes,,,eg,,,Calvert front shocks,,,play with the rear shocks,,,video tape the car a bit to see what it is doing,,,new slicks in the spring,,,etc,,,

My goal this year is to get UNDER 1.40 for a 60',,,going to try....

512 ? sounds cool.........




Holler if you need any help! I need to get out and lay under mine this week too but 7 degrees I am not liking on cement.
Posted By: mopar65

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/04/10 12:05 AM

That pick was taken around 1998-2000 time frame. Doug what about buying a set of stock ride height calvert springs? That would lower the back of the car down and then you could lower the front down some to.I say this as long as those springs have been on there its a wonder that they are not worn out. If i can get my old computer working i have some pics of the car when it sat low with mopar super stock springs on it. Bobby
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/04/10 12:07 AM

Quote:

OMG, you even have gloves on with that lab coat... RUN!!!

540's pic is consistent with what I was trying to convey.

As a side note. Trying to put the spring eye bolt in the top hole of the relo boxes would be murder.




As a side note. Trying to put the spring eye bolt in the top hole of the relo boxes would be murder.



explain this statement to me. because mine was in the top hole and i 60 footed 1.37 with caltracs going 10 teens footbraking.1.42 60 foots with more of a rake like dougs car sits now,my car wouldnt 60 foot until i lowered the rear.
putting it in the top hole lowers the car and will give less of a rake and more travel in the rear suspension and more room to go to the top hole.

Attached picture 5709258-DSC02112.JPG
Posted By: 69CHARGERMD

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/04/10 12:11 AM

Chris ,,the dodge and plymouth sure do have a different rake,,, mine looks to sit more like your dodge now,,,your plymouth is down there...
I think mine would like to sit lower,,,and would likely act better,,,the current springs are 1" OVER stock,,,do you know what springs you have (rating) when you got the 1.3x 60's ?
thanks for the pics,,,,i'll take the dodge too (lol)

Quote:

Doug what about buying a set of stock ride height calvert springs


hmmmmmm,,how old are those springs Bobby ?

Kyle,,,come on,,,,Kentucky,,,cold,,lol,,,i have a heater in the garage,,,works well,,,give me a holler' if you need some help....
Posted By: W5Duster436

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/04/10 12:22 AM

Quote:

Chris ,,the dodge and plymouth sure do have a different rake,,, mine looks to sit more like your dodge now,,,your plymouth is down there...
I think mine would like to sit lower,,,and would likely act better,,,the current springs are 1" OVER stock,,,do you know what springs you have (rating) when you got the 1.3x 60's ?
thanks for the pics,,,,i'll take the dodge too (lol)

Quote:

Doug what about buying a set of stock ride height calvert springs


hmmmmmm,,how old are those springs Bobby ?

Kyle,,,come on,,,,Kentucky,,,cold,,lol,,,i have a heater in the garage,,,works well,,,give me a holler' if you need some help....




I may need to come over just to get some experience with the setup as I plan to buy the springs and caltracs as well.

I'll holler when I need the help and you can bring the LP too for a jam session.
Posted By: mopar65

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/04/10 12:24 AM

Quote:

hmmmmmm,,how old are those springs Bobby ?




Doug i am guessing they are around 11 years old. I think i bought the car around 1995-96 and put the caltracs on around 1989-2000

Chris again all i can say about your cars is
Bobby
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/04/10 12:49 AM

Quote:

Chris ,,the dodge and plymouth sure do have a different rake,,, mine looks to sit more like your dodge now,,,your plymouth is down there...
I think mine would like to sit lower,,,and would likely act better,,,the current springs are 1" OVER stock,,,do you know what springs you have (rating) when you got the 1.3x 60's ?
thanks for the pics,,,,i'll take the dodge too (lol)

Quote:

Doug what about buying a set of stock ride height calvert springs


hmmmmmm,,how old are those springs Bobby ?

Kyle,,,come on,,,,Kentucky,,,cold,,lol,,,i have a heater in the garage,,,works well,,,give me a holler' if you need some help....





doug, mine were -1" over stock springs but by lowering the front eye spring you can adjust the ride height and also if you take out preload you could lower it a little more.
what do i know i'm just a fish peddler.

Attached picture 5709391-NENDRAatIsland10.25.09007.JPG
Posted By: DaKuda

Re: HELP with Caltrac Setup ( rear hanger questions ) - 01/04/10 02:50 AM

I had this problem and Calvert sent me a pin instead of a bolt that used C-clips instead of a nut. Was close to flush on the bracket and allowed it to pivot. I still notched the bracket. They sent me that pin free also.
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