Lowering a 76 Spider

[Schnauzer]

I am just finishing the paint on my 76 and would love to lower the back end about 4" and the front about 2". What is the best method and where do I get the parts. I am using 13" Cromodora wheels and stock tires.

Thanks for the help.

Jim

[SLOSpider]

The best is to buy the lowering springs form one of the Fiat suppliers around. I would install them first then see if you want to lower further. Lowering too much will cause it to bottom out on the stoppers and can lead to further chassis damage and poor steering. If you want to see how it looks and ride with out the cost of springs then you can cut your stock ones. Lots of post on this topic so be warned. All springs have aged differently but I would suggest that you start with 1 full coil off the front and about 7/8 or just under a full coil for the rear and see how that works for you. That is what I did for my 75 and its sits just about perfect and even.

[Exit98]

Hi Jim,

No advicce on lowering your Spider, but do you have a picture? I'd like to see your wheels (and the new paint job).

What tires do you have on it?

Thanks,

[Schnauzer]

Exit98: I will try to get a couple of pictures for you this weekend. I have the doors, trunk, hood, and varies parts and pieces painted. This weekend I plan my final blocking of the body and hope to shoot it Sunday. My inspiration for the paint came from Tulsa's beautiful black Spider. David Ozmer was kind enough to hand deliver his original Cromodora's when he got the Rota's. I haven't selected tires yet but they will be at or close to stock size. My interest in lowering is because of the huge amount of dead space above the rear wheels.

I am doing the Spider in the blackest black I could find. My wheels will have red centers. As the dash board inserts are warped and delaminating I plan to do aluminum insert panels and either engine turn or powder coat red to match the wheels. Original bumper systems are not going back on. I plan on but haven't found stainless mesh for the upper and lower grills. Thinking I will go with charcoal carpet and black interior. Top is black. I was lucky in that my Spider had only 38,000 miles on it BUT it had set out for years with a delapidated top. Interior is toast as is the dash board top and front. It also suffered from many hammer mechanic repairs and just plain neglect. Running gear is very very good though. I am in North Idaho so the weather patterns are tough on an open car when left unprotected. Thanks for your interest in my little project.

Jim

[TulsaSpider]

Thanks for the kudos Jim! Beware! Black is so much work to take care of! Well it keeps me busy! I lowered mine in the front by taking off 1.5 coils. Might have been a wee bit too much. I have not done the back yet.

[Schnauzer]

TulsaSpider:

Dude! I love your Spider. Ever since I first saw a picture of your Black Beauty I have planned on doing mine black. We have a 2006 black PT Cruiser that is the blackest black I have ever seen. Looks like Model A black. That's the color I went with along with clear coat. I sneak over to the garage every chance I get just to admire the pieces I have gotten done. It will take your breath away. I knew ahead of time the periles of going black. Reveals every flaw. I have found already that my prep and body work are suspect. I live in a forest with a gravel road access in North Idaho. No doubt I will never make it to the hard road without some dust. Don't care though cuz I will have your twin. Sharp beyond words. Thanks for the inspiration!

Jim

[TulsaSpider]

Awesome best of luck!

[Kern]

Schnauzer, if you want to make that black even more striking, add just a small amount of gold metallic into the clear coat. Paint some test panels to get the effect you like. I did that on my '72 in dark blue and it looks great. It is not so much that it is gaudy like metal flake but just enough to sparkle as you walk around the car in the sunlight. I liked it so well that I also did my motorcycle in a dark cherry with the same metallic in the clear. It also looks great and is not gaudy.

This technique works best with dark colors as the metallic disappears in the lighter tones.

Kern

[Schnauzer]

Hey Kern:

Great suggestion. I never thought of adding some bling. Unfortunately I shot her Sunday and read your post Monday. I have posted some pictures in the "Cosmetic" section. What a huge undertaking.

Jim

[adrians]

The local Fiat experts ( Ex Fiat Rally mechanic from the 70's / 80's ) said :

New lower and stiffen springs in the front by 12-14 mm, that way the front end geometery stays the same and the lower control arms remain parallel to the ground then cut (reset) the back by 38mm, they will drop further after usage.

[TulsaSpider]

I put some mica in mine. It's pretty cool when the sun is shining on it but when it's not it kind of looks dusty