FAQ

Q: What order do the kingpins go together?

Q: What is the length of Spirit's front axle?
A: 48 inches eye to eye
Q: What year is Spirit's rear-end housing?
A: The 10 Bolt housing is out of '90-up S-10 pickup. The wider 10-bolt is out of a '94 and up S-10 Blazer, 8.8 is out of a '98 Explorer.
Q: What is length of Spirit's shocks.
A: Chrome QA1 shock is 15" fully extended and the plain coil-overs are 14".
Q: Where do spirit get their drive shafts from?
A: Spirit buys them from Powertrain Industries. Their phone number is 417-863-1830.
Powertrain Industries
1842 East Commercial
Springfield MO 65807
Q: What backspacing does Spirit recommend?
A: Depending on rim size, and the company you are looking will determine the backspacing.
Q: What size are Spirit's windshield frames?
A: 39 5/8"
Q: What length steering colums does Spirit use?
A: 35" Flaming River Tilt Column
Q: What causes my front end to shimmy?
A: Frontend shimmy is caused by a number of things.
The combination of worn out components and or fronted alignment will cause serious problems.
First and foremost, the components and or fronted alignment wil cause serious problems.
Tie-rod ends, Heim Joints, King Pins and Bushings, Steering Links, Drag link, Radius Rods, Pittman Arm, Steering Box Bushings, Hub Bearings, Shackle Bushings.
All of these components must be in good condition. Replace any part which shows wear, or movement beyond design specifications. If in doubt, replace it.
Assuming all of your components are OK, the next step is to align the frontend. If your T Bucket has bias ply tires then you should have a maximum of 1/8" toe in. Radials should be "0" to 1/8" toe out maximum.
The final step, (and VERY important) is to balance the complete rotating assembly! Attempt to balance your tires mounted on the hubs if possible. If this option is not available to you, then balance the components separately. Your drums or rotors and tires must be accurately balanced!
Tire inflation has been a subject of controversy for a very long time. But there is a basic starting point. For spoked wheels, (motorcycle type) start at MAXIMUM inflation. Generally 45/50 lbs. For all other tires, start at 28/32 lbs. Test your T on several road surfaces especially rough roads. Inflate or deflate your tires to minimize bouncing, but less is better. Make sure that both front tires have EXACTLY the same air pressure.
There is a big difference between shimmy and bounce! You ned to avoid shimmy at all costs! This is a self-induced harmonic which will destroy your whole fronted and possibly cause a serious accident. Shimmy starts when the rotating mass (tires, wheels, hubs, and rotors or drums) harmonics go into oscillation with the steering components (links, bushings, rods, and tie rods). Thy "push" against each other causing a violent back & forth motion (Shimmy). Because this motion is self-induced, it progresses until something breaks, or over come by an external force (IE: hit the brakes and slow down). It is imperative that your frontend be in absolutely perfect working order.

Have you everrolled a tire around your garage, or down a street before? If you have, then you may recall how the surface governed the direction the tire rolled. This same condition exists on your T Bucket. To overcome this, a fronted alignment is setup to create an equal forces on both front wheels. This effect is called "toe in" or "toe out". This equal force tends to overcome most road surfaces, making the frontend responsive to the drivers command. However, too much of either can create a new set of problems. Tire scuffing will be the first out. Zero toe in/toe out will virtually eliminate shimmy however your fronted will fell "loose". In other words, your car will walk back and forth while cruising. This effect is usually managaeble, but annoying. Regardless which "toe" effect you need, limit the adjustment to a maximum of 1/8". The next adjustment available to you is "CASTER". This is the tilting of your kin pin bosses. This caster effect tends to make your front wheels follow the centerline of the front axle. Caster is good for helping your T track straight. You always want the caster effect to "follow" your axle. You adjust your caster by adjusting the length of the UPPER clevises on your radius rods. Typically about 5 degrees of caster is plenty, and in some cases 3 or 4 degrees is all that's required. Have you ever pushed a shopping cart around a grocery store, and noticed sometimes the front wheels shimmy? That's way too much caster! So go easy on your caster adjustment. Finally, there is camber... you can't change it easily because it's built into the king pin bosses. However, as your king pin bushings wear out, you induce more camber. So check your king pins & bushings occasionally for wear. You may also try a steering dampner.

Q: What direction does Spirt put the Shackels?
A: We put our shackles facing the front of the car and tighten them down and cut off the remaining thread.
Q: What motor mounts does Spirit use?
A: Spirit uses motor mounts from NAPA...Chevy mount is 602-1106 and Ford is 602-1151.
Q: What transmission mount does Spirt use?
Spirit uses NAPA transmission mount.
Q: What speedo cable does Spirit use?
A: Spirit uses a 615-1605 from NAPA.