Half-baked '72 Riv Suspension Question

Discussion in 'A boatload of fun' started by 71GSX455-4SPD, Apr 13, 2016.

  1. 71GSX455-4SPD

    71GSX455-4SPD Nick Serwo Magic Car

    So, been doing some thinking on updating a '72 Riv for handling. The problem is there's no aftermarket support after the late 60's until you get to the '77 GM metric frame. That said, tons of aftermarket support for '70 - '72 (and beyond) A-bodies. I've been focusing in on the Pontiac Grand Prix. The '72 Riv weighs 4497 pounds versus the GP 4400 lb curb weights- close. The GP can use equivalent year A-body parts; the '72 Riv E-body is DOA on aftermarket support.

    So, can a '72 Riv be converted to a '72 Grand Prix suspension (A-body)? I admit I don't know the front steer/rear steer difference which may be a deciding distinction.


    Thanks,

    Ken
     
  2. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    Ken, boxing the rear control arms and adding a sway bar (from a 1991-1996 Caprice/Roadmaster) made a big difference for me.
    Switching to 255's up front and 275's tyres at the rear also helped a lot :TU:
     
  3. 69GS400s

    69GS400s ...my own amusement ride!

    Time to dust off the Slide Rule, Mr. Engineer
     
  4. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Im with Erik. Your overthinking this. Remember K.I.S.S...


    I bet you could find a larger front bar for that car. Think baseball bat size. Add a rear bar and boxed lowers, urethane sway bar bushings and a set of H rated tires. You'll be good to go. Ditching the 15's and going for a set of 16" or 17" wheels will vastly open your selection of H or V rated tires. I can see that car with a set of those aluminum Buick rallys. That Riv will handle like its on rails
     
  5. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Don't waste your time to do what your thinking. A VAST improvement would be sway bars & good shocks. Think Koni/Bilstein. Box the rear control arms for rigidity. You won't believe the diff. Look in a PST catalog. If you can't find anything there I have a guy I go to that can actually make what you want.
     
  6. 71GSX455-4SPD

    71GSX455-4SPD Nick Serwo Magic Car

    Thanks for the responses guys! KISS it will be. If it were a direct swap with slight fabbing that had been done and known not to screw up geometry that's one thing.

    Bigger rims are definitely in it's future. Not stupid big, maybe 17-18". Everything else suggested is pretty straightforward. I used to have a '96 Impala SS with beefy bars front/rear, so familiar with sourcing them. I think I still have the stock bars from the SS to mock-up fit. I have Bilsteins installed already.

    Thanks again.
     
  7. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    The rear sway bar is a direct bolt-on.
    I'm not sure about the front one.
     
  8. RoadShark

    RoadShark Well-Known Member

    I'm sure the '72 is somewhat different than the '67, but here's what I did (or am going to do) to mine.

    In the rear I put new HD springs. Re-bushed the track bar with polyurethane bushings. Bilstein shocks. Someday I'll make brackets and put the Addco rear bar in up high. Yes - the brake line will get straightened out.
    DSC02371.jpg

    In the front, so far, I put the 1 1/8" Addco bar and Bilstein shocks. Complete bushing replacement and new HD springs are coming next.
     
  9. 71GSX455-4SPD

    71GSX455-4SPD Nick Serwo Magic Car

    I need to find my stock front bar from the SS and trial fit it. It's around here somewhere....
     
  10. 69GS400s

    69GS400s ...my own amusement ride!

    I can pretty much guarantee you its right where you left it, right ?
     
  11. 71GSX455-4SPD

    71GSX455-4SPD Nick Serwo Magic Car

    Which is precisely the last place I'd expect it to be, lol.
     
  12. theone61636

    theone61636 Well-Known Member

    Just for reference, a-body lower rear control arms will bolt in if you wanted something other than factory boxed arms.
     
  13. Redcap

    Redcap Well-Known Member

    Is that the same for '68-'69 Rivieras?
     
  14. 1drwgn

    1drwgn Poor Gearhead

    I have found the wagon bar is the same width as the riv.. Not the standard B body.
     
  15. 1drwgn

    1drwgn Poor Gearhead

    I picked up b body control arms for the rear from Ebay.
    They bolted right in.
     
  16. Lucy Fair

    Lucy Fair Nailheadlova

    Yes, second gen Rivieras has the same lowers as A-bodys, but don't go with poly if you want nice ride. They make car very nervous as they don't move freely. I made a set of tubular arms from 7075 alu with spohn del-spheres and panhard with uni balls and i am very happy. Before i had boxed arms with poly bushings and panhard with polys and car became very nervous and unpleasant to drive, i also believe there was a lot of stress on attaching points. I also installed Billsteins b6 shocks on all 4 corners and it made huuuge improvement, shocks are also for a-bodies. Fronts needs to have changed lower t-bar for tube mount and rears needs blocks to make them longer. Tomorrow i will post a pic of this as i am making this setup for my customer. Also very good upgrade is to install steering box from Jeep Grand Cherokee i think it was from ZJ series. I bought one from evilbay for 30 bucks and couldn't be hapier but i had to weld new bracket to down of the frame as those boxes are 3 bolt pattern.
    Peace,
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Apr 20, 2016
  17. theone61636

    theone61636 Well-Known Member

    Same with uppers? I know the Riv uppers are quite a bit longer than the A-body. Also, what is the stock shock length in the rear?
     
  18. 1drwgn

    1drwgn Poor Gearhead

    Just the lowers...

    I was considering b body adjustable uppers, but mine are now considerably longer to bring pinion angle up. I made my own out of some big steel parts
     

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