Ride height & towing capacity

[Drag racer]

What is the right height for the front of a 79 Regal V8. what or where would I find the trailer towing Capacity same car with a 301. Thanks.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I have a '78 Pontiac factory manual. It says on a known level floor "A" and "G" series (except wagon) measured at the rocker panel or rocker moulding should be 10- 3/8" at the front and 10 -1/2" at the rear. This is with a full tank of gas, front seat rearward, tire pressure correct, door closed, and trunk empty. Side to side difference max is 3/4", front to rear may be +- 3/4". I tow a small boat with my wagon and it has a class 2 hitch, a 301 engine, 4 speed manual trans, 3:23 rear gears and it is quite capable. But the whole rig weighs maybe 1500 lbs including trailer and tongue weight is 100lbs. I prefer cargo coil rear springs and coil-over shocks but gas shocks work OK too.

 

[Drag racer]

I have a '78 Pontiac factory manual. It says on a known level floor "A" and "G" series (except wagon) measured at the rocker panel or rocker moulding should be 10- 3/8" at the front and 10 -1/2" at the rear. This is with a full tank of gas, front seat rearward, tire pressure correct, door closed, and trunk empty. Side to side difference max is 3/4", front to rear may be +- 3/4". I tow a small boat with my wagon and it has a class 2 hitch, a 301 engine, 4 speed manual trans, 3:23 rear gears and it is quite capable. But the whole rig weighs maybe 1500 lbs including trailer and tongue weight is 100lbs. I prefer cargo coil rear springs and coil-over shocks but gas shocks work OK too.

thanks for the info. That is what concerned me is the side to side. I have new kyb shocks for the front I will check height. The shocks are original now. The rear driver's side was about 1/2 inch lower from the back. After I replaced the springs (Moog) and shocks (kyb) the rear is level now. For sure the front shocks are done I just did not want to replace the front springs just because they are 40 years old. If it an"t broke don"t fix it. As for the trailer hitch I thought it would stiffen rear frame rails. The trailer I was looking at is 2600 pounds and has electric brakes. May have to rethink this. Again thanks for the info.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I thought it would stiffen rear frame rails

Yes it will do just that. In fact guys who have no intention of towing add the hitch just for that reason. The wagons are particularly weak with longer unsupported rear frame rails. I did find that the AC Delco gas shocks with the coil springs around them did an amazing job of stabilizing the rear when carrying heavy weight or towing big stuff. The more they compress the stiffer they get but the ride suffers a bit.

 

[Drag racer]

Yes it will do just that. In fact guys who have no intention of towing add the hitch just for that reason. The wagons are particularly weak with longer unsupported rear frame rails. I did find that the AC Delco gas shocks with the coil springs around them did an amazing job of stabilizing the rear when carrying heavy weight or towing big stuff. The more they compress the stiffer they get but the ride suffers a bit. View attachment 110371

Thanks for your response. I love the ride the way it is. Towing a trailer may be just a dream at this point but I do want to brace the rear frame. There is a shop down the street. See if he can weld in a bar between the rails. Thanks again