1972 Imperial Ride Heights - Did they differ?

Wile E Coyote

Super Genius
Joined
Feb 5, 2013
Messages
574
Reaction score
862
Location
Maryville, Tennessee
I bought my 72 2-door in 1992 with 50,000-ish miles on it.
I recently replaced the rear springs due to a failure of one of them causing a hard lean to the port side.
With the new springs, the ride height seems extremely high when compared to other 72/73 Imperials I see in pictures.
I went digging for old pictures of my car and I turned up one from 1997. The ride height then appears to be just a smidge less than it is now with the new springs. Even in 1997 the ride height appears to be 2- to 3-inches taller than most other 72/73 Imperials I see.
Is it possible that my car came factory with a taller ride height than others?
In advance, thanks for any inputs and sharing your knowledge/opinion!
ride height.png
 
If you have the build sheet for the car, look up the code for the rear springs. If you car has the trailer tow package, it will have heavier rear springs and a higher initial ride height. These things have so much rear overhang that you should be glad to have a little extra height. If the spring shop duplicated the rear springs correctly, the car should be very close to the factory height. Looking at the radius of the hubcap in relation to the wheel well opening, the rear axle appears to be at the same position. The '97 tires appear to have a lower profile which would account for the slightly lower ride height in '97.

Dave
 
I bought my 72 2-door in 1992 with 50,000-ish miles on it.
I recently replaced the rear springs due to a failure of one of them causing a hard lean to the port side.
With the new springs, the ride height seems extremely high when compared to other 72/73 Imperials I see in pictures.
I went digging for old pictures of my car and I turned up one from 1997. The ride height then appears to be just a smidge less than it is now with the new springs. Even in 1997 the ride height appears to be 2- to 3-inches taller than most other 72/73 Imperials I see.
Is it possible that my car came factory with a taller ride height than others?
In advance, thanks for any inputs and sharing your knowledge/opinion!
View attachment 341416
Compared to @sixpkrt's car, it does look a little higher in the rear.

IMG_20180623_133937.jpg


But your car is the R/T model,so it might have that aggressive rake to it. :poke:
 
:rofl: Those badges 'fell' on there back when I first bought it in '92 at age 27. I see them and they echo days of youth gone past; I can't bring myself to remove them...:(
It's all good, I just saw an opportunity to be a smartass! :lol: I would have done the same thing at that age.
 
The difference in the 97 to current pics appears to be that the torsion bars were cranked down (and correctly so, in my opinion).

From the factory, the cars had a slight rake to them and your 2020 stance is better than the 97 pic.
 
The difference in the 97 to current pics appears to be that the torsion bars were cranked down (and correctly so, in my opinion).

From the factory, the cars had a slight rake to them and your 2020 stance is better than the 97 pic.

Thank you Mr. C.
I spoke with SpringsNThings; they verified the springs they sent me are correct 72 specifications. They suggested unbolting the shocks and see if that influences the height any. They said newer/wrong shocks can be stiffer and add height. Worth the experiment I suppose. I plan on new torsion bars as well, so I will ensure the shop that does the alignment is keen to the proper rake when adjusting the torsion bars.
Thank you!
 
Here are some pics of the proper rake (you'll see it's not drastic, but it's there) that I mentioned achieved by the owners of several lovely C s...I can only lay claim to my wagon (first pic). From your current pic, I'd say you're there.

1916645_100117050010321_6308905_n.jpg

dd30a1942094123c332d130f1e51aceb.jpg
img_0WK1HNtgIn_r.jpg

63080187-770-0@2X.jpg

1967-chrysler-imperial.jpg
 
Here are some pics of the proper rake (you'll see it's not drastic, but it's there) that I mentioned achieved by the owners of several lovely C s...I can only lay claim to my wagon (first pic). From your current pic, I'd say you're there.

Mr C -
Thank you Sir!
Sounds like (and looks like) I need to stop fretting the rear height on my car and accept it as is, and as correct. I know its all stock, verified the springs are proper specs, and after new torsion bars are installed I'll make sure they maintain the rake during alignment.
I appreciate your posts, pictures and knowledge!
Thanks,
Ron
 
I knew my twin was on this forum, but forgot it was yours. I like your rake in the more recent pic.
The pic of my 72 at Volo is not noticeable, but here's one from another show that has a better view.
72 Rake.jpg

The rake on the R/T is a little more noticeable, but I've had people tell me the front end is too high.
RT Rake.jpg
 
I knew my twin was on this forum, but forgot it was yours. I like your rake in the more recent pic.
The pic of my 72 at Volo is not noticeable, but here's one from another show that has a better view.
View attachment 341748
The rake on the R/T is a little more noticeable, but I've had people tell me the front end is too high.
View attachment 341749

I've had star-gazed eyes over your Imperial more times than I can remember! As I stated above, I've owned this Imperial since 1992. I drove it all over the US for work acquiring about 80,000 miles from 92 to 97 leaving the odometer at 130,000-ish. Rain, sun, sleet, snow, ice salt, we went through it all! Then life got in the way and now here I am, getting it back in service. I'm proud of its gray hair, wrinkles and scars; we've been through a lot. I don't know if I'll ever be able to afford plastic surgery, but beneath the skin, I'll get her back in top shelf condition! I hope one day we can get the two together for some glamor shots!!! Thanks for your post!
 
Well if you still have your Imperial in a few years, sometime in the not too distance future, my plan is to leave Illinois and relocate to Tennessee, so getting that photo opp might be a possibility.
I seem to be spending more time on Zillow these days looking at the unbelievable good deals on property in TN.
Shoot, I saw one today, 3.4 acres 2 out building with on having a shop with power and a washroom. The house was small, but at 115K list price, the monthly nut would be roughly $550.
I'd tear down the small house and build a new home on that lot.
The thing that kills me is it would probably be financially less costly doing all of the above, than living here with the taxes and general cost of living, not to mention the weather. I hate snow.
 
You've gotten more drive time with your Imperial than I have had with mine.
Bought it in 2005 in St Paul/Minneapolis area with 72K. It now has 85K on the clock.
 
Last edited:
Typically front ride height on all C's when using a measuring tape from the wheel lip to the ground should be 27.5 inches.
At that height the tire should just crest the wheel lip of the fender. Little or no gap.
Ride height is the FIRST thing to be adjusted PRIOR to alignment.

New rear springs will give the car a slight rake so give them time to settle.
Hope this helps.
cell phone 2 112.jpg

BoaB June 2018 005.JPG
 
Ride height is the FIRST thing to be adjusted PRIOR to alignment.
Got mine nice and low before the alignment! I'll have to see how close I am to that 27.5" height. I n very had any reference like that, just a recommended height from the ground to torsion bar, or something like that. But I prefer that rake anyways.
 
Front & rear heights on my 72 Imp. Pics aren't the best.
72 Imp rear height.jpg
72 Imp front height.jpg
 
Back
Top