Can someone spell out the difference in the suspension between the GT500 and the GT? Why does the GT500 sit so much higher, especially in the rear?

 

I was wondering the same thing, I pull up next to one... it was like I was sitting on th ground.

 

GT500 ride height isn't higher. Front ride height for the GT500 is 10mm lower than the GT while rear ride height is the same.

 

GT500's have different springs in back, check the part #'s.

 

Yes, but it is important to note that this doesn't have anything to do with ride height. GT500 sits at the same height as does the GT in the rear.

 

GT500 ride height isn't higher. Front ride height for the GT500 is 10mm lower than the GT while rear ride height is the same.

This isn't the case between my GT and GT500. Although my measurements are not exact, they must be representative. Based on the crude measurements from the pics I took of both cars, the results are:

Front:
GT: 28-1/4"
GT500: 28-3/4"
GT500 is ~1/2" taller.

Rear:
GT: 28-3/4"
GT500: 29-1/2"
GT500 is ~3/4" taller.

This difference is noticeable when I'm in the GT driver's seat, looking abreast (to the right out the passenger door) towards the GT500. As I lower my line of sight to match the top of the doors on the GT500, I can see the top of the passenger door on the GT is approximately 1/2 to one inch lower.

 

My measurements on the rear tires turned out to be one full inch higher for the GT500 and the same from the floor to the bottom of the door handle. By comparisson, from the floor to the edge of the GT's front fascia the height is seven inches where on the GT500 is six and one half inches from the floor to the edge of the chin spoiler.

 

I've seen a number of different GT's & GT500's sitting next to one another, and I know that they're supposed to have different springs. Last time I checked, springs have everything to do with ride height (lowering springs), I've even compared the 2 springs side to side, the GT500's ride height is higher.

 

Your GT is also 2-3 yrs old. It probably has settled some. Also it appears as though you have 17 inch rims on your GT and your GT500 comes with 18's.

 

Your GT is also 2-3 yrs old. It probably has settled some.

Can't argue with you here but one inch drop sounds a bit excessive for 2-3 years.


Also it appears as though you have 17 inch rims on your GT and your GT500 comes with 18's.

Very true but the tire height on both (three if you count the different tire sizes on the GT500) are ~27.1 inches. This makes the distance between the center of the hub to the top of the tire the same on all three. Therefore, the difference in the wheel diameter does not affect the ride height.

Willie

 

Ride height is only important to one's perception if the concern is how the car's stand might be perceived by others not when one is driving it since it can't be seen. I've taken time to humor the curious on many occasions and not once has anyone ever made a single comment about it other than to offer compliments.

 

I love the ride height of mine. I think the lowered ones look strange. I guess I just don't like the "slammed" look.

 

Ford engineers know which combination of parts and components work best to provide the balance appealing to most, perhaps because...
they've done this a couple of times before?

 

Ford's engineers know which combination of parts and components result in the best bottom line for Ford. Warranty costs, production costs and parts cost are all figured in the grand plan. Along with NVH etc. Absolute handeling and traction are a long way down the list.

 

In other words, a cost difference of a couple of hundred dollars was the determining factor for the GT500's ride height.

 

It appears I am wrong regarding the GT500's ride height, (thats what I get for trusting a Ford press release) but that doesn't change the reality that your original statement which I responded to has nothing to do with wether or not ride height is lower or higher. Your statement was.....

.....since you didn't include any qualifiers about lowering or raising ride height that is just a generic statement tells us nothing about wether or not those different springs change the ride height when installed.